Savannah Miller on balancing her busy lifestyle and New York with sister Sienna
The designer, 38, reveals how she balances three businesses and home life with her husband, Nick, and their three children
Mornings are the craziest part of my day. I have three children (Moses, 11, Lyra, eight and Bali, five) so it’s 45 minutes of getting them up, giving them breakfast, making lunches, showering and finding bags and shoes – someone always puts them in the wrong place. I also have a 22-year-old stepson, Java, studying in Barcelona.
Once I’ve taken them to school, I’ll walk the dog. I find that really relaxing but, on the whole, relaxation doesn’t get much of a look-in.
I’m currently working on three projects: my bridal collection in New York, Nine by Savannah Miller at Debenhams and my make-up line, Savannah Miller x Bagsy. After my walk I go into my office in Stroud.
I’m working on so many projects, every day is different. One minute I’ll be deciding which threads to use on my pieces, the next I’ll be in a meeting about packaging and product development.
Keeping friends and family close is important to me, so that’s what my weekends are all about. I’ve set a rule that I won’t check my work emails on Saturdays or Sundays
In the evening, after a family dinner, I read to all of the kids before getting them into bed. By the time that’s done, it’s usually 9pm so there’s never much of an evening left. Occasionally Nick and I go out for dinner, but in the winter we just lead a cosy cottage life.
I go to London for work a couple of days a week. There I have more of a social life as I go out with friends. I also go to New York fairly regularly to see my sister [actress Sienna] and dad [art dealer Edwin], who live there.
Keeping friends and family close is important to me, so that’s what my weekends are all about. I’ve set a rule that I won’t check my work emails on Saturdays or Sundays. We go for walks and nice meals, and every Saturday we go to Stroud Farmers’ Market to get our food for the week. That’s our favourite weekend ritual.
Savannah's must haves:
My travel must-have is… Cactus Flower & Tibetan Ginseng Hydrating Mist, £18, Kiehl’s
I’ve recently read…The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, £9.99
I always carry… Melissa Hand Cream, £13.50, Neal’s Yard Remedies
My guilty pleasure is… Chocolate cake. I’m obsessed with it!
My go-to beauty product is…Vermilion Lipstick, £16, Savannah Miller x Bagsy
My style icon is... Jane Birkin
Savannah’s career tips:
Get eight hours’ sleep. When you’re juggling a lot, rest is really important.
Laugh. It’s easy when you’re stressed to get serious but it’s usually not that important.
Exercise regularly. It’s an essential part of keeping your head above water.
Everyone focuses on perfection, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
Travel as much as you can, even if it’s just a day trip, to change the scene.
The Savannah Miller x Bagsy Collection is available at Debenhams nationwide, Feelunique and bagsybeauty.com, with 15 per cent of sales from Bronzed Brilliance Shimmer Powder (£24) going to the charity Women For Women International
