Italian-born, London-based designer Alessandra Rich's collections are inspired by muses in her imagination

Alessandra Rich tries her best to hold her hands steady while taking Meryl Streep's measurements in a London hotel suite. The star-struck fashion designer is, in fact, overwhelmed with excitement while fitting the Hollywood veteran.

"She was just so unbelievable, charming and soft spoken," Rich recalls the appointment almost five years ago. Streep later wore Rich's design to attend the 2012 Golden Globe Awards and took home the Best Actress trophy for her portrayal of the Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher.

Rich has since become one of the go-to designers for A-listers. Her fans include Rihanna, Olivia Wilde and Adriana Lima. Pop diva Beyoncé recently wore a lavish white lace tiered dress from Rich's spring-summer collection in her controversial music video Formation.

Despite her many accolades, Rich remains down-to-earth. The Italian-born, London-based designer meets me at Hotel Marquis - an elegant luxury boutique hotel in the posh Faubourg Saint-Honoré neighbourhood of Paris. The hectic Fashion Week schedule hasn't taken a toll on her. In an all-black-ensemble, the effortlessly chic designer looks radiant.

"Need some sugar and I'm ready to hit the battlefield," says Rich as she grabs a saucer filled with tea biscuits and sits down. "I think when I get to do things that I'm really passionate about, I'm always grateful for what I accomplish. I'm enjoying every minute of it."

Rich has come a long way since she established the brand seven years ago. Before she stumbled upon fashion, Rich helped her husband - a third-generation art dealer - sell artworks. She later got into real estate and home decoration.

"I enjoyed the work but I didn't feel that I was doing it for myself," she says. "At a certain point, I decided to do something just for myself."