Working with Cate Blanchett, on and off the screen, has always been a highlight for me. She embodies the perfect combination of consummate actor and world-class fashion icon.

Sì is my tribute to modern femininity, an irresistible combination of grace, strength and independent spirit.

There are always protests, whether you do something good or bad. Even if you do something beneficial, people say you do it because it's advertising.

For me, couture is the kingdom of imagination, creativity and experimentation, and this is how I approach it. I do, however, remain pragmatic and realistic.

I sensed that women wanted to be a little different. My fluidity gave them a way of interpreting their bodies in a more personal, individual way.

Today we no longer live in a way that is constrained by simple working or leisure environments - we travel, we work on laptops in coffee shops, we go out to dinner straight from work.

I've always worked. I have always been too responsible. But I don't know how to live any other way. I think that this discipline was also demanded of me by my work.