Three Minutes With Caroline

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR GLADSTONE / HELLEN?

We all do everything together, we make all the decisions together and it works incredibly well. My specific areas of responsibility are colour choices, the design and production of the knitwear, and of some of the accessories and homewares.

A THREE SENTENCE BIO TO SUM YOU UP, PLEASE?

I’m the most organised, disorganised person you’ll meet – I can coordinate six children, thousands of animals, a million day jobs, but I’ll simultaneously have no idea where my glasses, phone or keys are. I’m passionate about good food, and have a real love for cooking from scratch – something that my children all credit me for instilling in them. And just when my sixth child left home, I became a grandmother – one of my favourite roles yet.

TELL US A SECRET YOU’VE NEVER TOLD US BEFORE.

My favourite car snack is a bag of Hula Hoops and a Twirl.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLOTHING?

All my Fairisle jumpers, but especially the one I designed for Gladstone / Hellen.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCT FROM THE LAUNCH COLLECTION?

The checked ladies’ shirt. The style is really wearable and the cotton is superbly comfortable. The black and creamy pale pink check is bold and unusual, but also somehow incredibly classic.

DO YOU HAVE ONE STYLE SIGNIFIER THAT YOU USE EVERYDAY?

Blundstones, every day, everywhere.

WHAT’S YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?

I love love love vintage quilts and I found the most perfect Diamond Star design one in a tiny backwater hardware shop in upstate New York a decade ago. It felt like I was finding a treasure because it was buried under a heap of other stuff and I caught a tiny glimpse of it. It was almost like it was calling out to be found.

WHAT’S THE GREATEST THING YOU LEARNT FROM YOUR TIME AT LAURA ASHLEY?

That design and provenance are everything. That is what makes a truly great item of clothing or piece of homeware.

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER HEARD?

It may sound lame, but it is true: never stop learning or challenging yourself.

WHO’S THE MOST INSPIRING PERSON YOU’VE EVER MET?

I’ve been so lucky to meet a lot of incredible and interesting people but the most memorable and impactful are: Bill Granger and Laura Ashley.

WHAT’S THE LAST THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU GO TO BED EVERY NIGHT?

I say a mental good night sleep tight to my six children.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAVE IN A FIRE?

Am I allowed to say Flash and Skye, my dogs?