Talking shop with Tania McNab

As a buyer for Browns, Joyce Boutique (in Hong Kong), Harrods, and Harvey Nichols, Tania McNab has an experienced eye for luxury. In 2008 she launched La Maison Couture - an exclusive sourcing service designed as a virtual 17th century chateau, which combines the best of all the department stores in one online lifestyle boutique. We caught up with the enterprising style guru to find out what makes her tick.

I became a buyer… on my way home from a particularly frustrating interview. I spontaneously made a detour into Browns on South Molton Street, portfolio in hand, and asked how I could become a Buyer! Luckily Mrs Burstein took me in on the spot and offered me the opportunity to become a trainee buyer. I am eternally grateful to her and have never looked back.

I am a very visual person and have a discerning eye… As a Buyer you learn to quickly assess the best pieces in a collection. Some of the homeware trade shows I go to are huge. I have to be able to pick out the best from the masses.

I really admire… Albert Albaz at Lanvin. I think he has a Midas Touch. He seems to be able to turn his hand to anything, be it clothing, jewellery, the chicest notebooks or porcelain Lanvin Dolls. I am hoping he will soon develop a Lanvin Home collection…?

The best piece of advice I have ever been given is… always trust your instinct. From a book I read called "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

I prefer heels to flats… I like to dress up rather than down and always try to invest in timeless, stylish classics if I can. I admit that the predominant colour in my wardrobe is black.

My most treasured possession is… a 1966 Givenchy Couture Brocade Evening coat and bodice previously owned by Audrey Hepburn, which I secured at a recent auction of her clothes. It is very precious and fits! I haven't decided yet whether to wear it, or display it.

My finest moment was… launching La Maison Couture at Home House in July 2008, which was very exciting and a real milestone.

My home is… a family home, Victorian, built in the late 1800's with elegant high ceilings and fine architectural features. It's surrounded by woodland which is incredibly beautiful in spring when the bluebells are out. I like the juxtaposition of old and new, so the interior and furnishings are overall simple, clean-lined and modern with a mix of design classics and decorative antique pieces working together.

You might not know this, but… I am fascinated by crystal at the moment and have started to collect champagne glasses. I was recently given a stunning pair of 1920's champagne coupes for Christmas.

At the moment, I'm reading... Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. My two children are obsessed by the series and I want to know what all the fuss is about.

If I could be anywhere right now, I'd be… on an exotic sandy beach, somewhere hot and sunny with my family. The Far East is my favourite part of the world. We always like to find somewhere new to explore.

I can't live without… my Jo Malone Ginseng Day Moisturiser.

I love what I am doing right now… It allows me to be flexible with my hours and fit in time to be a Mum aswell. One day, I would like to translate La Maison Couture into a really beautiful store….

My favourite website is… www.sketch.uk.com. It's completely frivolous and I love it. Slightly off the wall, quirky, interactive and I love watching the different scenes play out. It's great for a bit of light relief.

Visit www.lamaisoncouture.com

Emily Jenkinson

18 January 2010