Natasha meets Michelle Duguid, Fashion Editor at Russian Vogue, mum to adorable 17 month old son Griffin, and incurably addicted to the vaults of the Vogue library.

Michelle started her career with the wedding magazine Bride & Groom, gave it up and instead chose to work for nothing as an assistant at Show Studio - an award winning fashion and art website, founded and directed by Nick Knight. Re-enthused (Nick Knight has that effect!), Michelle joined our very own UK Vogue as a Stylist and now is Fashion Editor for the über cool Russian Vogue.   By Natasha Claydon

What did you do this morning?

• I was up at the crack of dawn with my little boy. My husband and I read him a story and then we had a bit of quiet time together. And I drank tea. Lots of it! I’m Welsh; I need at least four cups every morning just to wake me up. Then I caught the tube to Vogue’s offices by Hanover Square. Russian are three hours ahead of us which means when I get in they need information from me fast. This morning I had a breakfast meeting, found out by email that I have a shoot to do for a feature on Moscow, arranged returns for the samples which I am always drowning in and then my Art Director called to say we need to get creative for a shoot we are doing on some winter coats. It’s very last minute.

Who inspires you?

• People that are individual. Someone like Helena Bonham Carter. I love the surprising way she dresses. She just looks right in what she wears – like she should be wearing it! I am inspired by people who do their own thing, who wear what they feel good in. To me that’s when they look good. If it’s not you then why do it?

• (I immediately want to answer. I don’t. Why? I cleverly work out that this is more of a statement, a sort of homage to confidence, than a question. I feel relieved.)

How would you describe your earlier career?

• My History of Art degree really opened my eyes to imagery and how 16th Century Dutch Art or a 19th Century dress can be interesting. It showed me not to discount anything; the most basic image or simply the way a model walks down the catwalk can be inspiring. You won’t come up with anything original just by looking at fashion.

  I didn’t imagine I’d be in fashion. I went straight into it with my first job which was at Jigsaw because I needed the money. Then I went to Wedding Magazine but felt uninspired so gave it up to work for nothing as an assistant at Show Studio, a groundbreaking fashion and art website. It was there that I found inspiration and it felt natural for me to join Vogue. I started with UK Vogue as a Stylist.

What has been your defining moment?

• Having my child. It changed everything. Fashion is not a 9 to 5 job. It can take over your life in an amazing way but having a son has put my life in perspective. I don’t take Griffin with me to work though – he would terrorise the place!

What makes this all worthwhile for you?

• I love the creative process of making a new story for each fashion piece. I am never bored because I never know what each day will be like. I do feel lucky to be dealing with very beautiful things. It’s quite breathtaking to see the proper craft of creating a couture piece. And I get the pleasure of shooting them. It’s a very positive feeling.

• I can’t decide. At the moment it may be my white leather Church brogues. They look good with almost anything.

Do you have a hidden talent?

• It’s odd actually. I’ve not thought about it. My job has become everything.

• (To me Michelle’s talent is undoubtedly her incredible ability to see life in pictures and create a concept out of what to others may seem like absolutely nothing!)