"Do I draw? No. Then again, nor do lots of designers. But I put it all on myself and walk around in it, and I know what feels comfortable," she tells the Times. "I know how a dress should sit. I've worn so many in the past and when I see the photographs I think, crikey, my boobs are up round my neck again because the corsets are too short and not cut high enough."

You can see the quality in the details, she adds.

"I knew I would spend a lot on the best-quality zips because, like many women, I've had my share of crappy zips. I wanted a zip that undoes from both ends because then you can either put the dress on over your head or, if you don't want to mess up your hair, you can step into it - and also, you know, going to the loo wouldn't be this whole big palaver."

THIERRY MUGLER is stepping back into the limelight in spectacular style via a collaboration with none other than burgeoning fashion icon Beyonce Knowles for her upcoming world tour.

The singer reportedly became enamoured with Mugler after seeing his creations at the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute's feted Superheroes exhibition in May and wore a vintage 1987 Mugler dress for the shoot of newly-released album, I Am Sasha Fierce.

With a fashion world love-in firmly established, Mugler is to have a creative hand in many facets of the singer's tour, which kicks off in March in Canada. He will serve as a creative adviser, with input on everything from set lighting to choreography, and direct three segments of the show (including the finale), as well as providing stage outfits for the whole production - 58 for Beyonce alone, WWD reports.

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