Zac Posen goes lyrical

Pretty boy Zac Posen is in the wrong career. At least, if his dresses weren't so utterly gorgeous, he should seriously consider becoming a professor. The long words he uses to describe his collection are impressive, to say the least: "I think of myself as a cultural receiving dish for mass culture: I am reactionary to pop culture. I have not yet done a 'themed derivatives' collection - last season was more about the form and construction of the clothes. It was all about stealth design. By that I mean a hard, structured exterior to represent futurism, austerity and robotics, but underneath is a need for the super-feminine, the sexual and procreation." Speaking at the V&A's cocktail reception to launch New York Fashion Now, an exhibition showcasing the best of Manhattan's established and up-and-coming talent, Posen rubbed shoulders with Betty Jackson, David Furnish, Mrs. B and Suzy Menkes as he wandered around the garments on display, arm in arm with his friend, Jan de Villeneuve. So what does London mean to the man who right now rules America's red carpets? "It's a huge part of my heart. I studied at Saint Martins so it's good to be back. London is such a huge force in international fashion right now, pushing the new and the young. I was once asked to put a piece in the V&A's permanent collection, so it's an honour to have more of my designs displayed here for this exhibition. There's something about England I love - I spent the weekend with the de Villeneuve's in Kent sitting in their garden. Horticulture here beats America hands down - and the Sunday lunches too - I love that you sit down at one and don't leave the table until eight in the evening."