Stella McCartney: 'women are expected to do everything'

Stella McCartney, the designer and mother-of-four, said women who juggle jobs and motherhood "are expected to do everything, which probably isn't human"

Women are "in danger of burning out" if they try to be perfect mothers and career women, according to the designer Stella McCartney.

The 41-year-old has risen to the top of her profession while raising four children with her husband, Alasdhair Willis.

McCartney said she had tried to explain women's rights to her five-year-old daughter, Bailey, and admitted that juggling work and family life was a difficult task.

"Honestly, it's not easy and it's silly to pretend that it is," she told Harper's Bazaar magazine.

"She [Bailey] really didn't understand women had to throw themselves under horses to get the vote, and I hope she doesn't ever have to understand it.

"But, at the same time, now we are expected to do everything, which probably isn't human, and we are in danger of burning out if we try to do everything."

She added: "It could flip for the next generation and slip, so I think it is important to take note of what one can and cannot do.

"I lose it sometimes. If I've had four hours' sleep because I was at something late and up early with the kids, then I am not a particularly good mum and not a particularly good colleague at work."

The daughter of Sir Paul McCartney designed the kit for Team GB at the London 2012 Games, and said she had found it one of her toughest challenges.

"I did get very involved, mentally as well as physically, and got emotionally drained. So much work went into it, more than I can imagine now," she said.

McCartney, named Designer of the Year at last night's Harper's Bazaar awards, studied at Central St Martin's and famously enlisted Naomi Campbell, Yasmin Le Bon and Kate Moss for her graduate fashion show.