The Source: Vicki Maguire

Vicki Maguire, ECD of Grey London, put a false start as a fashion designer behind her, swapping fabric for fonts as her medium of choice. When not leading work for the likes of BHF and Vodafone, she gorges on boxsets, is addicted to eBay and gets inspired by Alexander McQueen…

What is the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen in the last few months?

Have you seen john st.’s jane st.? It’s genius. ‘When they cry, they buy.’ Genius. And without crawling up our own arse, the work we’ve just done for The Tate [500 Years Of Stories] is amazing. Art direction stepped aside to just let the words do their thing. Wish I’d done it.

What’s your favourite website?

I still love FFFFOUND! I can lose hours on that site.

Which website do you use most regularly?

eBay. I can’t help myself. It’s like crack… I’m on 3,000 purchases – and 100 per cent positive feedback.

What product could you not live without?

My iPhone. I feel sick if I think I’ve lost it or left it at home.

What product hasn’t been invented yet that would make your life/job better?

The self-driving car (I’ve failed six tests).

Who’s your favourite designer?

Fashion: McQueen. Other than that, Ray Eames.

What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year?

I have a confession to make: I haven’t been to the cinema for over a year. I am a season-gorger though. Come on, how good is Hannibal? Fargo? True Detective (the first series)? I’m even loving Gotham. I will get around to Spectre and Star Wars eventually.

What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?

Savage Beauty [the Alexander McQueen retrospective at the V&A] was next level. My background is in fashion, only I was shit, really shit – I was sacked by Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood. I was almost inspired to pick up my scissors and pins. Almost.

What fictitious character do you most relate to?

Had to think about this one. Edna from The Incredibles.

If you could live in one city, where would it be?

London. East. In fact, I can pinpoint it to a postcode: E2.

Mac or PC?

Mac. Notepad. Fag packet.

What track/artist would you listen to for inspiration?

The Message. Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five actually taught me how to write.

What’s your favourite magazine?

The Gentlewoman. That Angela Lansbury cover is still on my wall.  

Who’s your favourite photographer?

It changes every week. At the moment, I’m in love with Luke Stephenson. His book, An Incomplete Dictionary Of Show Birds, is lovely.

If you could have been in any band, what band would you choose?

I spent a night as a backing vocalist for Tom Waits in 1985. I’d do that again in a heartbeat.