Kiss Me Deadly

Founder, Catherine Clavering

I had the most almighty row with my then business partner when he scrapped the plans for the lingerie - after I'd sorted it all out from scratch and the samples had arrived, and the week before my MSc research was due in. After considerable cursing, I wrote 10,000 words on a Foucouldian discourse analysis of constructions of the vulva, illustrated with a classic painting of a female nude (allegedly to illustrate a crucial point about the inter-relationship of taboo and power, but actually just to see if I could annoy my lecturers).

Frankly, after doing that, it seemed like all the hard work was over and it would be as simple to just carry on with the lingerie brand on my own. At the time I thought it would be a useful counterpoint to a career in mental health; by the end of the post-grad I was too disabled by M.E to carry on with that, so now I have full time knickers!

How would you describe your Style?

Femme fatales and silver screen sirens

Do you have a Muse?

The goddess of not having your stockings round your knees when you run for the bus. Many were the times she deserted me, but no more!

What Fabrics do you like to use and why?

Anything tactile, sensual, and crucially, reasonably priced.

Have you had a chance to Travel?

I harbour secret hopes of one day being able to regularly walk all the way down the road to the supermarket again.

Where do you draw your Inspiration from?

Many, many pictures on the internet, and too many vintage things from Ebay, which I have been known to make my cat model. Also, weapons. It’s good to work out how to feature at least one in each shoot.

What is the best piece of Advice you've ever been given?

My mum generally reminds me that I need to eat regularly and drink enough, and it’s amazing how many times she is right and I've messed it up again.

What is your Quirkiest Habit?

I seem to be unable to answer fashion questions terribly seriously

What is your Happiest Memory?

Meringues.