Fresh from a typically busy morning filming at home then picking up her jewellery from a photographer’s studio, Rosie Fortescue met with Lesley Neil to reveal all about her latest business project, which just happens to tap into one of the Made in Chelsea star's favourite obsessions

Your new nail polish line, Nailed London, looks great. Why did you decide to launch your own range of products?

I’ve always been obsessed with nail varnish. I have a vast collection at home – it’s criminal. I have a twin sister and we both love painting our nails and we’re really good at it. It’s something that we’ve always done. I love hands because I love jewellery and I think it just goes with that whole “groomed” look, so I’m really excited about this new range.

How long did the range take to develop?

It’s taken over a year from the initial idea to what you see now. It’s extra exciting because so much went into it. I literally chose everything from the names of the polishes to the bottles to the brushes – everything. And we tested everything to make sure the quality was right. It was really nice to be able to take a bit longer and get it right, and I’m so happy with the final products.

Was it important to you to have high-tech formulations as well as amazing colours?

Yes, absolutely. I know when I see a good nail varnish, so for me a colour that lasts without chipping was essential.

Where did you get your inspiration for the colours?

I wanted to create a range that had colours to suit everyone. And to reflect my love of fashion, the Nailed London colour palette is inspired by current catwalk looks, with colours moving towards the cooler, dreamier and softer side of the spectrum. Combining serene shades of ethereal, nature-like neutrals and understated brights, the palette provides laid-back glamour for both day and night.

And how did you decide on the product names?

They’re just really fun names. For instance, there’s Liquid Lunch, which I just think is so cool and reminds me of summer. Then there’s Rosie’s Red, Red Carpet, Thigh High Club and Noodle Nude, which is named after my dog Noodle. I want the collection to be fun and I want people to enjoy painting their nails.

Who do you think your customer will be?

I would like everyone to wear the polishes because they’re such great quality and the price is affordable. They’re not just aimed at the young, they’re aimed at everyone who loves beauty and likes to take care of their nails and use good products.

Why should a customer buy Nailed London polishes rather than another brand?

Because they are affordable, fashionable and amazing quality. I painted my nails five days ago and I’ve been manhandling everything and scrambling through things and they genuinely don’t chip. They’re really, really great quality. I would never put my name to anything I’m not 100 per cent behind and passionate about.

What’s your ultimate aim with the brand and where would you like to see it stocked?

Having Harvey Nichols as the first stockist is unbelievable – super-exciting. Going forward, I would just like to see the brand get stronger and stronger so that it’s stocked everywhere and everyone knows about it. For everyone to be excited about it and talking about their favourite colour would make me happy.

Do you think you’ll launch other beauty products or will you stick with the nail polishes?

Nails are kind of my thing and this range goes along with my jewellery, which is my next baby after this one. But I would love to collaborate with another beauty brand. I’ve found this really enjoyable and I love beauty products.

How about your own fragrance?

I love fragrance and I used to work at Jo Malone when I was younger. I was at university in London and had about five hours of lectures a week, so I decided to take a Christmas job to make some money so that I could take myself to Brazil with all of my friends who were travelling.

I’ve always loved Jo Malone products, so to be surrounded by them all day was amazing, but my own fragrance? I don’t think my taste would appeal to the masses because I’m either really feminine or quite masculine. I go from wearing Narciso Rodriguez, which is very feminine (I’m wearing now), to Jo Malone Amber and Lavender men’s cologne. But maybe… you never know!

What are your favourite beauty products?

I love Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk Lipliner, and NARS lipsticks are amazing. Sabon does really nice body creams and shower oils that are divine on your skin and smell delicious, and the Emma Hardie facial cleanser I’m using at the moment has changed my life. My skin is very dry and Emma Hardie Age Support Instant Radiance Face Mask is incredible if your skin is dry. You just wake up in the morning and rinse it off in the shower and it’s heaven.

Do you always look after your skin?

I get sent a lot of products and I just used to try things randomly, but I stopped after I had a flareup from something I used. I went to see Emma Hardie for a facial and was just thrilled. I’ve never glowed like I glowed after I saw her and now I’m a reformed woman when it comes to skincare.

Emma is a healer, and she said I was the shallowest breather she’d every met. She told me I was hardly breathing and that was why I was so stressed. She said I had to get into yoga, which is the next step in my plan.

Who is your style icon?

Olivia Palermo. She’s so obvious, but she does just dress amazingly. She’s so cute. Her and her husband do a thing on Instagram on a Sunday where they put up a picture and it’s just like whole world envy, couple envy, clothing envy, beauty envy, everything envy – they’re just perfect and it’s so sweet. I don’t know her personally – I’m admiring from afar, having an Instagram stalk every Sunday on what they’re up to.

How did you come to be on Made in Chelsea?

I’d left university and all of my friends were taking gap years, but I wasn’t. I hadn’t acted at school and I didn’t like the limelight, but I just thought, I’ve got a year to play around with, so let’s just see how this goes. I’ll use it to promote my fashion blog and see what happens. So I did the pilot of the show with Amber and Francis and it kind of went from there.

Did you ever think the show would last this long?

I would never have expected that four and a half years later, we’d be here. I think it’s lasted because it’s totally relatable to so many people.

How much of Made in Chelsea is scripted and how much is genuine?

Nothing is scripted. It’s the music, good lighting and good cameras that make it look extra dramatic, but it’s not scripted. The producers set up the scenes because you can’t walk into any restaurant with a camera crew and be like, “Oh we’re just going to film here.” So they brief me with a location and a time, things like that. That’s the part that’s set up, but nothing is scripted. Crazy stuff just happens.

How do you split your time between filming for Made in Chelsea and your jewellery and now your nail range?

I’m like a madwoman, but I just have to be really organised. It’s just about managing your diary and making sure that you nail it and just get it done. Making sure that you take some time for yourself is important too.

Which of your projects do you enjoy most?

This one is very creative, which I love. It excites me and inspires me, but I love everything that I do, from my blog posts [Rosie’s blog is atfashionforte.com and she also blogs for the Evening Standard] to meeting new people, I genuinely love what I do and I’m really grateful.