<i>Fashion plate:</i> Alannah Hill

Carrie Bradshaw has nothing on Alannah Hill. In a battle of who has the most and biggest corsages, Australia's most flamboyant fashion designer would beat the Sex and the City gal hands down, favouring full-on bunches in her hair.

Hill also rules when it comes to all things girlie, and her designs are a vision of prettiness in lace. The native Tasmanian left her hometown of Penguin at 17 and hit Melbourne. She got a job in a clothing store after a stint waitressing, before starting her own label. Anyone who's been in an Alannah Hill store in Australia would speak of the impossibly cute shop girls in full costume right down to the flowers.

Now, there's no need to fly anywhere to get a hit of over-the-top femininity as the first Alannah Hill store is about to open in Newmarket's new luxury Nuffield St complex.

Who are your favourite designers?

Anna Molinari and Alberta Ferretti.

What is your favourite accessory?

Silk bows as belts in beautiful bright summer colours.

What was the last thing you've bought?

A brand new pink kitchen for my apartment.

What item from your wardrobe can't you live without?

The bee in your bonnet coat from my winter collection. It has been so chilly this winter and I have worn it almost every day.

What inspires you?

Love, chocolate, romance, sex, girls crying softly, flowers, girls kissing boys, girls kissing girls, sadness, magazines, vintage shops, movie stars and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Favourite international store?

Alberta Ferretti in Knightsbridge, London.

What's your biggest indulgence?

I love expensive hotels. I really do. The more ridiculously expensive, the more I want to never leave. I love the security, people looking after me, people bringing me chilled little drinks in ice, the smoothness of the lifts. I guess I crave someone to care for me and if I have to pay a small fortune for it, well sad as that is, I'll do it.

What beauty products do you swear by?

Clarins moisturiser, M.A.C red lipsticks and green eyeshadows and Clairol Final Net Hairspray.

Your favourite lipstick?

M.A.C Glam. A girl should always wear lipstick, especially on a Sunday.

Best bargain?

I don't really care for bargains. There are not many bargains left in this world but I do love buying three Cadbury chocolate bars for the price of two at my local service station.

The one fashion rule you always break?

I always wear red, pink, sparkles, baubles and necklaces and am completely overdressed for any occasion - even at 8am on a Sunday morning.

Who makes the best jeans?

Oh, I've never really worn jeans. They show all one's form.

What about shoes?

Alannah Hill. But if you're overseas and can't get your hands on a pair of my shoes then I also like Christian Louboutin.

Whose wardrobe would you like to raid?

Coco Chanel's or my assistant Lana's. She sometimes wears some tricky, lovely little frocks and I know she has a huge walk-in cupboard with fancy things hiding in there.