Guillaume Henry, creative director at Nina Ricci, on his muse, femininity

Nina Ricci's creative director Guillaume Henry talks about his latest collection, his muse and femininity.

"I wanted to express my own vision for the brand. The first show, in March, was my debut. I wanted it to be delicate and sophisticated but not to push any fashion concept too far. For the second season [autumn-winter 2015], I wanted to express my feelings. We always talk about femininity for the Nina Ricci brand, but I don't think femininity necessarily means sweetness or being cute. For me the label is about elegance, but it can be a little tough. It's an expression of beauty but also vulnerability, strong but not aggressive."

"For both collections it was German actress Romy Schneider. A true beauty but a little broken. In the movie Max et les Ferrailleurs, she wears a lot of make-up and has all these trench coats in patent leather yet she's a woman you want to protect."

"I felt it was time to experiment with a new challenge. I'm also looking a lot at my colleagues and friends. Five years ago we were all kids and now, because of the experience we've had, we have matured and are involved in personal stories and professional ones. It was time for me to dress a woman. It sounds weird when I say that to myself but I feel I am a man now … and maybe I wasn't five years ago."

"The way I work, I'm never concerned about the global fashion business. It's true that there is something happening. There's more French designers in French houses; several years ago it was only the likes of Nicolas Ghesquiere, for example, now you've got a new generation coming up."