Quotes from Sophie Dahl

I don't want to deride London because I have such a huge affection for it, but New York lets you move on and grow up.

My siblings and I had a loving but very chaotic and muddled childhood, and as a result we have sought out lives that are consistent and stable, domestic and happy.

My mother tells this joke about how when I was little I used to say, 'Mummy, all I want is a stable home!' and she'd reply, 'That's all right, darling, we'll buy you a stable.'

I think that if you really love a book, there's nothing nicer than to have a first edition of it.

There's no pressure on me to be a particular weight. But I loathe being renowned as a 'larger' model. It makes me cringe.

I think it would be a bit miserable going out with somebody who was totally uninterested in food.

Fashion should be about making clothes that make all women look beautiful, not making women starve so that they can fit in a size 8.

Because I cook a lot, I wanted to write a recipe book, really incorporating the message that you don't have to starve yourself to be reasonably skinny.

Starving isn't sexy. What's sexy is a healthy appreciation for food.

My mother Tessa married my stepfather, James, when I was three and we lived in Boston for a year.

When I began modelling I was completely unprepared for the onslaught of curiosity it carried with it.

I still don't know what the 'ideal' woman is. Waifs will always be in demand because it's a lot easier to design for straight up and down rather than round curves. This is the reality, unfortunately.

I was lucky because my upbringing was so eccentric. It has helped me cope with unreal situations.

I was an only child until I was six.

I grew up with my grandfather, so I knew him really, really well. He was funny and opinionated and wonderful. He was fascinated by things and always curious.

I've started running since I had kids, and I've become one of those annoying people who likes running.

Central heating is my vice - I have it on a bit too much as I am always cold. I try to make up for it in other green ways.

I wasn't lonely as a child. I was the eldest of four and always had lots of people around me.