Martin Pel is curator of fashion and textiles at the Royal Pavilion and Museums in Brighton. His new book, Gluck: Art & Identity, is accompanied by a Brighton exhibition.

What is your favourite place in Sussex?

I am always blown away by the Royal Pavilion – the exterior and interiors are bizarre, endlessly fascinating and without peer.

What do you love most about living in Sussex?

What’s not to love? Sussex really has everything – great beaches, good food, the South Downs and interesting and creative people. There is also an abundance of great museums across Sussex, from the Jerwood in Hastings to Pallant House in Chichester.

What advice do you have for your 12-year-old self?

That you’ll never see your dreadful form tutor ever again after leaving school.

What is your most valued possession?

If you had asked my 12-year-old self it would have been my record collection – I was obsessed with music.

Now it would probably be my books which I use all the time for work and general reading. I really would feel lost without them. I have lots of clothes and I would be upset if something happened to them.

What is your biggest regret?

I don’t tend to have regrets I’m pleased to say.

What is your biggest fear?

I blame Stephen Spielberg entirely but I have an irrational fear of sharks. It’s a great shame as I’m a very good swimmer.

What is your proudest achievement?

It’s probably the last thing I’ve been working on so it would have to be the book Gluck: Art & Identity (out in November). It’s the first time I’ve edited a book and even though it was a huge time commitment it was a great experience.

Which five people (living or dead) would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

David Bowie circa 1973 just so I could stare at him. Marlon Brando aged 25, just so I could stare at him. Hogarth who would have brilliant stories. Molly Parkin who is hilarious, and Kate Moss for more great stories.

Anything else?

My exhibition Gluck: Art & Identity is showing at Brighton Museum from November.