Fenella Fielding

What is your idea of absolute sophistication?

A mixture of Cole Porter, Sondheim, Saki and Oscar Wilde.

Who, in your opinion, is or was the quintessential English gentleman?

Peter Eyre, Edward Fox.

And the quintessential lady?

Princess Alexandra.

Where do you think the best-dressed people are?

Last year in Krakow I saw so many well-dressed men, some conservatively and some in a really individual way without looking the least bit peculiar.

Name three two favourite items in your personal wardrobe.

Big black velvet jacket with many secret zips and drawstrings; striped grey and white cotton blouse with of-centre collar and terrific cuffs; burnt orange shirt for summer Ð the colour gives me a boost.

Which accessories do you never leave the house without?

Gloves; I have some thirties ones and earlier that are really beautiful.

Should acts of common courtesy be written off as the chauvinistic ephemera of a bygone age?

Oh no, please not! They are so agreeable.

What items of clothing do you consider to be the height of vulgarity?

Men say made-up bow ties.

What do you think of the way that young ladies dress today?

I think they look pretty good.

What vices, if any, do you believe are conducive to beauty of mind and elevation of the soul?

Things that are "conducive to elevation of the soul" can't be described as vices.

Which view from which window would you call a portal to the sublime?

From one of the higher windows of the spiral staircase in the tower of the Gaudi Cathedral.