Alber Elbaz: Fashion Is About 'fantasy'

Alber Elbaz wants to make women feel ''beautiful'' in his clothes.

Lanvin's creative director believes the best part of his job as a fashion designer is having the power to create a fantasy world for women and boost their confidence thanks to his ultra-feminine garments.

Discussing what attracted him to the profession, he explained: ''It was not the story of design or clothes, it was the fantasy of women that made me want to work in fashion ... I want them to be able to get into a car, to be able to have dessert, to feel beautiful.

''Fashion should not be about having a second skin - it is about fantasy; about putting on a red, chiffon dress, looking in the mirror and feeling amazing.''

The Israeli designer - who worked for Yves Saint Laurent before joining luxe brand Lanvin in 2001 - also backed YSL's new creative director Hedi Slimane and advised him to ignore the fashion critics and take the necessary time to grow into his role.

Speaking at the Vogue festival in London's Southbank Centre, Alber said: ''You join a house like Lanvin or Chanel and it will go on even longer than you will. There is so much history, so it takes time to get into it.

''Everything has to be so instant now, but not everything is. To be a fashion critic is easy - you say, 'I love it or I hate it.' Life isn't only about love and hate.

''Hedi's work is selling well and he's a talented designer. I wish him all the best, from the bottom of my heart.''