Hussein Chalayan

“I am an idealist, which can be tiring.”

“I was lucky I went to school in London because the tutors could see what to do. I knew I wanted to do something different. Why would I want to do what other people were already doing, because they would always do it better? I always wanted to work around the body. So throughout my college years, my work was quite free.”

“London gives birth to amazing talent but is rubbish at helping maintain it.”

“I wanted to be a pilot, but I was always drawing bodies. When I realised I wanted to pursue something creative, my parents pushed me towards architecture.”

“If I had to define my philosophy, it would be about exploration, a journey, a story-telling.”

“I was drawn to biology and history and, of course, art. And I loved languages. The biggest problem I had is that I wasn't taught about the connections between all these things. I think that would have given life a lot more meaning and it would be a lot more enjoyable.”

“I can be working on a collection and a film at the same time. It can take a lot out of me, but the processes come from the same source. From a brief I set myself I can make a film, I can make a collection, I can make an installation.”

“Being a part of exhibitions is not a burden; it's another way for an independent label such as mine to reach a larger audience by exposing them to my whole body of work.”

“I think of fashion as an art form as well as an industrial product - and something that has to be sold well and has to be of high quality.”