What are your responsibilities at work?
I am the CEO of Queenspark Clothing Company. My responsibilities include overseeing all areas of the company, including marketing, IT, human resources and finance.
I am particularly involved with my team in creating all the product offerings for the Queenspark shops.
What training and qualifications do you have?
I have a BA in English and psychology from the University of Cape Town and a post-graduate diploma specialising in human resource management.
My real fashion and retail training came from my parents - I am the third generation in this business - as we always discussed merchandise and business issues at home. In fact, my brother, sister and I used to joke that there was a chair at the dining room table called "Queenspark".
As you have mentioned, the fashion industry is in your blood, did you ever consider doing something else?
I never really considered doing anything other than this, although I have a huge interest in make-up and cosmetics and think I would have gone in that direction had I not had this opportunity. We have now launched cosmetics within Queenspark and I am getting a chance to realise my stifled dreams.
What do you think are the key elements to dressing well, even on a budget?
Dressing on a budget starts with immaculate personal grooming. The key to looking good on a shoestring budget involves understanding that you need one bottom to five or six different tops in order to allow yourself to look different, interesting and fashionable every day.
It is very important on a tight budget that you buy garments that flatter your particular body shape. High fashion items should be carefully chosen and should only make up a small percentage of each season's spend as it is difficult to carry the look over to the next season.
You can change every outfit with wow accessories that are on trend. This includes the must-have shoes and bag. Make it effortless, make it elegant and you will wow them every time.
What is your most treasured item of clothing?
I have a floor-length black velvet coat that takes me from boardroom to evening events.
What sartorial advice would you have for someone wanting to be taken seriously at work?
I say: "Dress for the job you want."
If money were no object, what clothing item would you buy today?
I would buy a staggeringly high pair of classic black Christian Laboutin heels - shallow I know, but those red soles really do it for me!
What aspect of your work gets you up in the morning?
Fashion is new every day and this is a real incentive and excitement for me. I work with a fantastic group of people and am always happy to see them and start work every day.
What element of your job keeps you awake at night?
The risk of fashion - every decision costs money!
Most of us would consider a career in fashion to be very glamourous, is this the case?
There is an element of glamour to the job, the travelling is a big perk and very inspirational, but like all other jobs, it is 90% hard grind and 10% glamour.
What is your favourite time of day?
Waking up in the morning surrounded by my family and my Burmese cats.
Author: Margaret Harris
Source: Times Live
