For me, Lancome was more than just a brand. There was something very nostalgic about the name, about the whole story.

It was not the story of design or clothes, it was the fantasy of women that made me want to work in fashion.

In fashion, we have a reputation for being such a façade, fake people, but none of the fashion people who I know are fake.

H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world.

I think that if you want to pass emotion, you have to write a letter. Emotions do not pass in SMS or in e-mail.

When I was either 7 or 8 years old, I did a sketch every day of my teacher and what she wore. At the end of the year, I gave her the sketchbook. For me, the sketching of dresses was about fantasy and dreams.

Fashion is not about buying a second skin. Fashion is about having a fantasy.