My Style

Antonia Campbell-Hughes, actress and former designer, describes her style

Describe what you're wearing:The jacket is a sale item from HM, the last season Moschino top was given to me, and the HM jeans were bought for me for a TV show – my character wears them every season. The fox-fur hat is from Barnardo's – it was specially made for me. When I was a kid I had a beaverskin Davy Crockett hat. The mules are from one of my collections from years ago. The belts are from Chloé and Topman.

Do your roles affect what you wear?Definitely. I suppose I am easily influenced, but then I have a very distinctive look. I know what I'll wear and what I won't wear, but I think there is a broad spectrum of what I dance about in.

So what about your latest character?I've just come back from Sofia, where I was doing a film. My character has one outfit for the whole film, but she is a very cool cat called Angel. I found that I ended up dressing like some Bulgarian women, highly tacky and stuck in the 1990s Russian mode, such as Versace and bling. I bought a leopard-print corset even though I have never even owned a bra.

Are you a shopper?I find it very therapeutic; it is a quick fix and it fills the void quickly. I cannot be languid or lackadaisical about my shopping.

Favourite things?I am obsessed with white, anything made in white material. My white phase includes nudes and pastels. I try not to wear black, but bright colour is such a commitment.

Most expensive item?I think a Moschino dress that was lent to me, and I had to have it. It cost £800 (€910). It's a 1920s-style loose, tiered bronze satin crêpe de chine with a bow neck. I've never had the bag thing. I have a cheap old bag from Topshop. I guess I am a late developer.

How do you describe your style?I think it is a 10-year-old boy who thinks he will grow to be a trannie. It's garçonne, I suppose.

Style icons?Charlotte Gainsbourg. I saw The Cement Garden at 13. She was a boy/girl, amazing, and she is everything I wanted to be.

Any passions?Lingerie. I love the procedure of it all. I have always had beautiful expensive underwear and now I am buying the whole shebang. I have loved La Perla since I was 16, but I could never find a bra to fit me because I hate anything tight, so I wore a band with two straps of lace for years.

Fashion secrets? I have always championed Dévastée, a French label. Recent finds? I do love Marni, particularly the shoes. I like Selfridges in London because it has a broad spectrum, and boutique-wise, John Rocha's shop in London. I wore three John Rocha dresses to the GlamourAwards in London, one after the other. I think he is amazing. I wore a flesh-coloured dress of his and pink jockey shorts with white sequins to the cricket at Lords.

Why did you give up fashion design?I tried to do both fashion and acting for too long and threw in the towel when I moved to London. I didn't mind giving it up. When I was a child I couldn't put a title on what I wanted to be. I grew up writing plays, films and making clothes. I moved from being extraordinarily shy to being extraordinarily outgoing.

What do your clothes say about you?I think they say indecisive. My bag is always full of clothes even if I am only going out for an hour. It is like an addiction, I even have a change of shoes. I just think you have to be prepared to go to a ball or get on a plane.

Antonia Campbell-Hughes appears in the new Jane Campion film, Bright Star, due for release on November 6th