Last year the French designer Christophe Lemaire announced that he would step down as the creative director of Hermès women’s wear to pursue his own line, Lemaire. “My own label is growing in an important way and I now really want and need to dedicate myself to it fully,” he said in a statement at the time. Since then, he has focused on growing that brand, filled with beautifully made, fuss-free clothes for men and women. So far, it appears to be working: the company’s revenue for 2015 is on track to reach a projected 7 million euros (more than twice as much as 2013) and last week it was announced that Lemaire would receive a minority-stake investment from Bipfrance, an investment company focused on growing smaller to medium-sized businesses. In March, he announced that he would collaborate with Uniqlo on a line of signature knits and separates that will launch with the mega-retailer in Europe and the U.S. later this week — a collaboration which, he tells T, will now be extended for another season.

On the occasion of his women’s wear show in Paris tomorrow, Lemaire and his partner in both life and business, Sarah-Linh Tran, tell T about how clothes can be both practical and sensual, the importance of dressing for every day — and their decision to extend their partnership with Uniqlo.

Your last collection for Hermès was presented at this time last year. Since then, you’ve focused solely on your own line and, as such, the team has grown and retail has expanded — both in stores and online. Externally, it appears to be a big moment for you. How does it feel from the inside?

Lemaire: Yes, from the inside we feel that it is evolving, we are restructuring the company and sales are constantly growing, the press reviews are good. It is a great dynamic, so we do feel it; it is really encouraging and stimulating. But at the end of the day, we do feel very much the same, with all our anxieties. We have fought for many years and have occasionally gone through desperate moments; we have had highs and lows. But in the past three years much has been consolidated and there has been some recognition, which is exciting.