The 5-Minute Interview: Roland Mouret, Fashion designer

'A (RED) dress can change people's lives for the better'

The French-born, London-based designer Roland Mouret, 45, who presented his first collection during London Fashion Week in 1998, has dressed many A-list celebrities, and recently designed Gap's Roland Mouret for (RED) collection of dresses

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Working. I just moved into a new studio and I am in the middle ofworking on exciting new projects for next year.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

Finding a new business partner in Simon Fuller. I was so excited that there was someone who was prepared to go into business with me 50/50 - that is so rare these days and something that gives me incredible inspiration for the future.

A common misconception of me is...

That I go out all the time - I actually have a pretty quiet life and am normally at home or out for quiet dinners with my friends.

I am not a politician but...

I am not just a fashion designer!

I wish people would take more notice of...

Shopping ethically to support initiatives such as (RED) - my recent collaboration with Gap was an example of something I love. A woman can buy a great red dress and at the same time help raise funds for (RED) - helping change people's lives for the better.

I'm good at...

Understanding women.

I'm very bad at...

Drinking - one glass of wine and I get drunk.

The ideal night out is...

With great friends around a dinner table - laughing and not taking life too seriously.

In moments of weakness...

I try to be objective so I can be stronger the next time.

You know me as a fashion designer but in truer life I'd have been a...

Fashion designer - I love what I do and think I am really lucky to do it...

The best age to be is...

Now. I think age is irrelevant. I know this sounds like a cliché but, really, who cares how old you are? The best age to be is the age you are today and to think how lucky you are when there are plenty of people in the world who aren't. Don't anticipate something in the future. Don't dwell on the past.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Live for today, love what tomorrow might bring and be grateful for yesterday.