After moving to London at 18 Cath worked for interior designer Nicky Haslam before setting up a shop off the Kings Road. Selling the vintage furniture and furnishings she found in car boot sales, Cath gradually added to the range with pieces she made herself. Cath thinks her products have universal appeal "because they cheer people up."

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The little dog motif that frequently appears across the Cath Kidston range is based on her Lakeland terrier Stanley. As well as on fabric, Stanley in his distinctive red jacket, appears on a charm bracelet, necklace and kilt pin.

The success of her floral prints and polka-dot homewares has given Cath Kidston an annual turnover of more than £50 million. She employs 650 full-time members of staff and has 40 stores in the UK, two in Ireland and seven in Japan.

One of Cath Kidston's most enduring designs is the Cowboy print, available on bedding, dressing gown, towel, mug, plate and wallpaper. There's even a melamine nursery set for very young fans.

Cath collaborated with Milletts to create a range of colourful tents that proved popular with festival-goers. Her designs have also been used on limited-edition Nokia mobile phones and to add that special something to digital Roberts radios.

With the help of her three books 'Make', 'Sew' and 'Stitch', you can create your own heirlooms using Cath's original motifs. 'Make' is packed with 48 craft projects including how to update an old cardi; 'Sew' has step-by-step instructions on how to create tea towels, cushions and bags; while 'Stitch' features 30 needlepoint and cross-stitch projects. Click here to buy all of these books by Cath Kidston from Allaboutyou's online bookshop - P&P free.

In 2008 Cath designed reusable shopping bags for Tesco made from recycled plastic bottles. The project saved millions of bottles from going into landfill sites and raised £425,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. This charity is close to Cath's heart as both her parents died of cancer and she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of just 37.

You can now enjoy regular updates from Cath Kidston by signing up to receive her new magazine. Published quarterly, the magazine focuses on seasonal items as well as homestyle, fashion and food. Sign up for your free copy here

Cath met her long-term partner, record producer Hugh Padgham, when she visited his home to measure for curtains. They live together with his daughter Jess. Cath says that when the demands of running her own business allow she still enjoys browsing round car boot sales and hand sewing.

In 2009 Cath was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List for services to business. On her recent 'Desert Island Discs' appearance (click here to listen to the show) Cath said that despite the company's success and her international recognition hers is still 'a Marmite brand. People either love it or hate it.'

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