Natasha meets Camilla Ridley-Day, former Deputy Fashion Editor at The Daily Mail, founder of Camilla Ridley-Day Bridal and self confessed organisation junkie.

Camilla worked for Vogue in Madrid at just 17, worked her way up to Fashion Editor at The Daily Mail in just 7 years, and today is the saving grace of brides-to-be. On her own wedding three years ago she wore a glorious corded lace and crystal couture Bruce Oldfield dress! By Natasha Claydon

What did you do this morning?

• I am not a great morning person! I never get up particularly quickly or speedily and so self discipline helps…along with a cup of lapsang souchong tea with a good serving of milk. That’s my morning fix. That, and a flick through the latest bride and style news. Working in a paper you get used to working very quickly and I now can’t work at a slow pace. I love the Daily Mail website and so can’t resist a morning glimpse for the latest to get me going. I should probably get a dog. That would get me up earlier.

Who inspires you?

• Nathalie Massenet. She was at Harpers magazine and had this idea which everyone thought was crazy. She founded Net-a-porter! She has made a phenomenally successful global brand and the company has a great ethos. The way that she moved from the styling and editing pages into online was groundbreaking and really inspires me.

  (Nathalie Massenet was Fashion Editor at Harpers. I can’t help myself feeling just a bit inspired too)

How would you describe your earlier career?

• When I first started work it was unpaid work experience…and not even travel expenses were covered. It was for Spanish Vogue in Madrid and I walked to work each morning. I worked my way up to Deputy Fashion Editor with the Daily Mail here in London. It’s been an incredible journey and I still freelance for them now.

What has been your defining moment?

• At 17, and in 2008. At 17 I was walking to work, Spanish Vogue in Madrid and I remember thinking to myself ‘I can’t believe you can have a career that is this much fun!’ No one had email. Everyone was sending faxes. It was such a different world. How could you not fall in love with it, and I did. And then in 2008 when I was shopping for my own wedding dress; I remember walking into a couple of bridal shops and feeling intimidated. The advice I was getting was commission and sales driven. The people were quite pushy. I was with my mum and I remember thinking ‘Gosh this is the world I work in and even I feel intimidated.’ The experience should be a special, unrivalled one with advice that is unbiased and right for each individual. That was the start of Camilla Ridley-Day Bridal.

What makes this all worthwhile for you?

• There is so much pressure associated with a wedding dress. Being with somebody at such a very special time in their lives is a very emotional experience and I love finding the right dress for them. It’s one of the most important dresses they are ever going to wear and to be able to find something that is absolutely right for someone is a great feeling.

  (I am converted. I try desperately to resist interrupting the interview to ask for Camilla’s help with my sister’s imminent nuptials.)

• My wedding dress!

  (The delight in her voice makes me want to try on her wedding dress immediately.)

  It was such a happy memory. I just did a shoot for You magazine which came out in April. It was wonderful because I got to wear my dress again.

Do you have a hidden talent?

• Baking millionaire’s shortbread. And baking cakes. I’m baking and icing 220 cupcakes for my sisters wedding.

  (I quickly Google millionaires shortbread. It’s caramel shortcake. Briefly I can think of nothing else.)

• I thought Kate's dress was stunning. She managed to achieve the balance of finding something that was totally fitting with her style whilst still having the drama and impact needed for Westminster Abbey and a Royal wedding. She wore the dress, it didn't wear her! Grace Kelly's dress is my classic all-time favourite and Kate's has many references to that in a modern way - I'm sure it will look just as beautiful for decades to come.

Camilla runs Camilla Ridley-Day Bridal.
www.camillaridleydaybridal.com