The designer with the R factor

Modern pop stars are as much style icons as musical ones. Just how far fashion has invaded that music world can be seen at Rihanna Rated R, an exhibition of her stage clothes at the O2 Arena which opened yesterday.

The designer behind all these creations is 39-year-old Bordeaux-born Alexandre Vauthier, who commutes between studios in London and the French capital.

A week before the opening, he invited me into his rooms in the 8th arrondissement where he created his first collection in 2009, having worked for Thierry Mugler for four years and Jean Paul Gaultier for eight.

"There is obviously something very 'pop-star' about my style," he says (Beyoncé and Lady Gaga are both clients). "But I also dress established actresses like Isabelle Huppert. We did a beautiful portrait of Sophia Loren with my jewellery. From 22 to 60 years old, my brand is very inter-generational. They don't come from the same background, they don't have the same 'world', but they all have something to say and represent a certain kind of powerful woman.

"I try to make women beautiful. I want them to feel smashing - so that they go out and hook up with a man. I want them to be confident about themselves."

Surrounded by his new collection's bright red designs, with low-cut cleavages and impressive proportions, I would say confidence is a prerequisite.

Vauthier met Rihanna in Paris, when she was working on the album Rated R and looking for a new stylist. He says: "We met at midnight and I showed her some final sketches. The next day the clothes were sent to her place. And that's when it all started. I followed her to Berlin. We did shoots for the cover of her first single, then her second, then stage outfits. It is a great collaboration. She is very professional and creative."

Then rap star Jay-Z spotted Vauthier's triangular dress at his debut spring summer collection in 2009, and introduced him to his wife Beyoncé.

"She has also the same kind of fiery personality. Seeing her perform in my golden sequin dress at Glastonbury was a great privilege. She represents perfectly the sort of powerful woman I like to dress."

Of Lady Gaga, he says: "I'm really pleased to see how she wears my creations. She adapted my red dress to make it fit in her own style."