What are your thoughts about the significance of this season given so many major designer debuts?
I'm genuinely excited to see how each designer interprets the legacy of old houses, how they reimagine history through their own lens to create something fresh and modern.
I am more excited about Louis Trotter, as I have always been fond of her work and she’s the only female designer out of all of them. I tend to buy more from female designers — something I only realised quite recently.
What excites you in fashion right now?
I have different relationship with clothes or fashion now compared to the past. Now I get excited when I come across a piece of clothing that I know I’d still want to wear in 10 years, something I could see as a lifelong piece. It always has a certain quality that draws me in. It might be a detail I can’t stop thinking about, a fabric that feels incredible against the skin. It has to evoke something deeper than just being a garment, so I empathise with designers when they work on a deeper level of their craft and creativity.
What is one reason to be optimistic about the state of fashion going forward?
We live in clothes, so fashion will never die
What do you enjoy most about Paris Fashion Week?
It’s a great meeting point, you really see everyone there and so much going on. It’s really fun to hang out and bump into people from everywhere in the world.
Do trends still matter?
I don't like the word trend; it's the complete opposite of my ideal world of fashion. You never want to be trendy like dressing by following everyone else. You need to be original and own your identity.
What are the main elements that make fashion magazines still relevant?
I still buy the magazines if I see some strong fashion imagery. That’s what I love about fashion and still feel passionate about — what can still be created with amazing photography.
What aspect of your work is most fulfilling?
I really enjoy creating something that feels new from the mix of brands I create in one look or could be a silhouette I make. We can really push our boundaries to create from so many different possibilities mixing new and old according to your taste, instinctive approach, or visual references you are obsessed with. I find it so exciting and fun to break the stereotypes.
What is your favourite way/word to compliment someone’s style?
I definitely appreciate when people cleverly mix in vintage pieces. It almost doesn’t feel real if you create a look using only new collections. To me, that isn’t authentic when you think about personal style. I love combining something old and something new so that together, they become contemporary.
In what ways is AI helping you develop and realise ideas that might not have been previously possible?
My dream shoot is dressing cats. I’m a cat lover. It’s so hard to shoot animals, so definitely AI could help with that. And if I could add a piglet as well next to a cat then my absolute dream would come true!
This interview has been lightly edited.
