I’m the son of a butcher from rural France. In a way, my father taught me how to design. Watching him folding his apron taught me how to fold fabric, watching him cut through muscle taught me about form. At the time I felt trapped – there was an expectation that I would one day take over the shop, but I can now say I owe him everything.
The Galaxy dress is more famous than I will ever be. And that suits me just fine. I would hate to be a designer who was famous for being famous. The fact that women wear my dresses and feel good is enough. I value my privacy.
Victoria Beckham and I were never friends. Many people think we were, but it was always more of a student/mentor relationship. She did, however, manage to teach me one thing: I’m a fucking great mentor.
Fashion reflects changes in society. It may not seem that way, but look closer – our ideals of beauty, our economy, our collective mood. A good designer will crystallise that within their work. It’s a cliché that designers take inspiration from the street, but it’s true – that’s where it all starts.
Restriction allows me to be creative. I lost the right to use my name in 2005 [Mouret bought his name back in 2010] and my previous investor told me I’d never make a comeback. What she didn’t realise is that it doesn’t matter what name is stitched inside the dresses – it’s me designing them.
The female body is the symbol of life. Women have the ability to give birth. Striving for perfection and “pinging back” after having a baby isn’t realistic. Bodies change over time – often irreversibly – and that is no bad thing.
I’m starting to age with someone I know. I see my father when I look in the mirror. The person I was in my youth is leaving and that is both surprising and comforting. I’m enjoying getting older because there is still so much to come, but I do miss the naivety of my younger self at times.
My husband and I will never divorce. That is something I know in my bones. We married four years ago and we’ve been together for 10. We’re very different, but we have the same values, so it works. And he loves to cook.
My father’s death five years ago taught me the importance of a tribe. My family share the memory of him and we’ve carried each other through the grief. When we’re all together, it feels as though he’s in the room.
I have a wild temper - I’m French! But the storm cloud passes quickly. I really go for it. I’ll do all the shouting I need to and then it’s over.
I’ve never wanted children. There are enough kids in the world and there are so many of us on the planet already. People always assume that childless couples are desperate to have them, but some of us just aren’t.
A good dress can do the same job as seeing a shrink and can often cost less. I reconnect women to their bodies. My clients will often say, “That dress is too good for me,” but it’s just a dress. Have fun with it. Have fun with life. It’s not all meant to be so serious.
Roland Mouret is creative director of Robert Clergerie (robertclergerie.com)
