Business is everything to Caprice Bourret. It is the reason, she confessed multiple times in her talk at the Union on Monday, for her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005; the perfect time to push her burgeoning lingerie brand, 'By Caprice'. She has climbed her way from a ‘humble background’ up the ranks of fashion outlets, including Debenhams, Next, Littlewoods.

It is clear from what she says that there is little room for the involvement of others.  Designing the pieces herself; travelling to Paris and Hong Kong to choose and sew fabrics, Ms. Bourret is adept at both the business and entrepreneurial ends of her industry. And all this as a woman. A ‘relatively attractive’ one, at that, and a ‘famous model’ — traits which, as she stated, make corporate success a near impossibility in the UK.

Nor does she feign any sophisticated knowledge of enterprise. Caprice illustrates that it does not take any great acumen to earn her millions, merely self-belief, spirituality, and a shrewd eye for cashflow (which she referred to as her ‘bible’ on two occasions).

But, as her name suggests, Caprice knows when it is wise to change direction. In the corner of our interview, among the businesswoman’s entourage, sat Tara, who is soon to be taking over the more company-based side of the underwear range. It is a well thought-out decision. Echoing her black minidress, six-inch-heels and trademark silver-blonde locks, Tara is clearly a match for her progenitor’s unique style. This move will prevent Caprice from being pigeon-holed as just another celebrity business mogul; she will now be returning to her first love: entertainment.

But this does not mean the sort of reality show we currently see everywhere — in her talk and in our interview, she stated that she would never sink to the level of ‘that jungle show’.  She wants to take part in programmes to ‘help’ and ‘educate’ the public, name-checking Style Wars, in which she assisted in finding Ireland’s next fashion entrepreneur.  While she was unable to discuss in depth the shows she is currently pitching to the BBC, this surely paints a picture of what we can expect.

But business does not stop at Caprice’s underwear. When I asked her whether she is as shrewd about her own image as she is about her company, she replied that they are one and the same.

She is painfully aware of the taint of publicity — a drinking and driving incident in 2006 resulted in the loss of two backers. Thus, she takes an active role in engineering her public’s perception of her. I was privy to Tara’s request for the Union’s official photographer to allow her access to all images of Caprice before they went online — a careful move to avoid misrepresentation. Yet Ms. Bourret is nonetheless open and welcoming. She spoke honestly that, though she has never yet had cosmetic surgery, she will not avoid it when the time is right.

And she is shrewd not only in business, but in knowing the right friends. She wisely chose, back in 2001, to be dumped by Christian Burns, whose fall from BBMak superstardom to Blockbuster Video obscurity she lamented in public. In private, she told me of the array of stars she holds among her friends — famed songstresses Liz McClarnon and Sonique; actor Jeremy Edwards and singer-songwriter Duncan James; and Craig David, who, I was pleased to be informed, is soon to be releasing a new record. Her circle are able to keep their private lives separate from their stardom.

I asked her how she believes the entertainment world has changed since the 90s, when she first made her fame. She answered with sadness, abhorring the cynicism of modern celebrities who will do anything to remain in the public eye.

When I mentioned those who will profess a hatred for the celebrity lifestyle they revel in, she responded, ‘They’re full of shit...let’s call a spade, a spade!’ This is not Caprice’s style — she appreciates, with the gratitude of someone who knows real work, the opportunities which stardom grants her.

I shook her hand, adorned with its glossy black nails and huge diamond ring, and with her elegant, ‘Thank you, Nate’ we parted.