As Roland Mouret makes his final preparations for his SS17 show, we catch up with the king of the frock to get the inside view from Paris Fashion Week.

Growing up in France, what first spurred your love of fashion?

My father was a butcher and I would watch him fold his apron in different ways to hide the blood. I like to think I learned my technique from watching him and then developed it into what I do today. And I've always been inspired by the female form; I find it such a beautiful tool to work with.

How do you think your past experiences, including working as a stylist and model in Paris in the 1980s, have influenced your work?

I am a designer, a preserver of my own past and my identity, which is a mixture of my heritage, upbringing and mostly the sum of the choices I have made in life. All the skills used to create my collection are the sum of all my past experiences.

What are your top five styling tips for wearing your AW16 collection?

Pair the dresses and skirts with wool lace tights

Wear your hair styled in plaits

Don't be afraid of layering

Listen to lots of Kate Bush to help channel her eclectic spirit

Complete the look with dark-red or burgundy lips

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your current AW16 collection?

For AW16, I drew my inspiration from the strong visual style of women like Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks - in particular the way their approach to art and music moulded their unflinching aesthetic. The collection is very seductive and rich, there are dark, moody pieces mixed with striking purples, greens and whites.

And looking ahead, what can we expect from your upcoming SS17 collection?

I can't say too much, but I'm very excited about the show!

Who do you think embodies the ultimate Parisian woman?

The Parisian woman has a nonchalant attitude when it comes to dressing. She is timeless and classic, and she has style rather following trends.

Where's your favourite brunch spot in Paris?

Lipp, in the 6th arrondissement - it's an authentic French brasserie and the one that every city tries to copy.

With the live-streaming of shows and the move towards a see-now-buy-now retail model, do you think the nature of fashion is changing?

Once fashion was simply about clothes; today, it's about an identity, a voice - and, most importantly, fashion is now accessible to all.

What's next for Roland Mouret?

I want to keep pushing my boundaries and see what comes of it.

SHOP ROLAND MOURET