Natalie Gray

After studying retail and interior design Natalie undertook 8 years of commercial design. Working with Zara and Next, her career culminated in her role as display manager for Harvey Nichols. Here she was responsible for the creative direction of all window displays, interior concepts, product merchandising and point of sale, and led her team of artists, designers and stylists. It was this role where she learnt quickly how to combine current trends with her own concepts, to create schemes that were both cutting edge and commercial. Natalie's efforts in combing her knowledge of design and fashions were shown when she was nominated for Northwest woman in Business 2008. Just one year after setting up NoChintz

If you're not a geek, you're not a designer. I once heard Matthew Hilton use this phrase and it has been in my head ever since. To me it represents being completely obsessed and absorbed in all aspects of design. I think you have to love what you do to be good at it.

Managing creative direction at Harvey Nichols was interesting and inspiring but also hard work! Although the regular trips to knightsbridge, and having sneak previews of the latest designs straight from the catwalk was definitely a perk of the job.

Manchester is home to an amazing array of creative talent. Being from up North I feel its important to represent! Most of the European design world assumes it's all about London, but Manchester is definitely home to a new wave of multi-disciplined creative's that are pushing the boundaries. There is also a lovely "community" feel, which makes the creative industry up here a nice thing to be part of.

I love food but I can't mix fruit! This is my weird thing, everyone has a weird thing. Enough said.

My favourite designer furniture wise is Tom Dixon. Fashion wise I'd say it’s the late Alexander McQueen. For me it’s more about how they communicate who they are to the masses than their actual designs. Both are innovative in showing their products & collections and have the ability to blur the lines between the creative disciplines.

I'm most inspired by… hmm this is a tough one as it changes on a daily basis. At the moment I’m really into retro pieces from the 50's and 60's. I'd quite like to travel back in time. I think finding a one off piece is far more exciting than a mass produced design – its like finding treasure.

The most inspiring person I've ever met was my amazing Grandma she was so beautiful & always encouraged me to take whatever path I wanted in personal scenarios, or my career. She was also the most positively happy person in the world & taught me to appreciate the small things in life. She also used to ride a Triumph motorbike!

My most valuable possession is my bike. It’s an Electra Amsterdam in cream with a basket on the front – not clichéd at all!

In 5 years I hope to be still learning I think it’s important we challenge ourselves & learn new things constantly, otherwise it could get pretty boring & stagnant, its always good to shake things up & I don’t believe anyone truly knows everything there is to know in a particular subject.

An Old Friend once said to me “Fake it till you make it!” I didn't fake it of course, Honest.

The last thing I wanted but couldn't have was a ? Well that would be telling wouldn’t it?

My favourite film is ‘Some like it hot’, boop boop be do. I’m a bit of a Marilyn Monroe fan but think she is definitely out shone by Tony Curtis & Jack lemmon’s performance in this, legendary.

One piece of advice for emerging designers is believe in your designs and have confidence in its execution and it will sell itself.