PARIS, June 18, 2007 (AFP) - Designer Stephane Rolland is leaving French couture house Jean-Louis Scherrer after ten years at the helm to create his own company.

Stephane Rolland after presenting his 2006/2007 fall-winter ready-to-wear collection of Scherrer in Paris - Photo : Franck Prevel/Reuters

Rolland, who before joining Scherrer had headed Balenciaga's men's ready-to-wear, told AFP on Monday, June 18th that he was leaving on good terms. "I have given 10 years of my life to Scherrer. I think that's fine, for both sides.

"I need to express myself differently and to show who I really am," he said.

Scherrer, who declined comment Monday, last March appointed Bouchra Jarrar as artistic director for its ready-to-wear and accessories, leaving Rolland responsible only for its haute couture creations.

Rolland, who when aged 24 had launched an eponymous women's ready-to-wear line, said his new house was being financed by foreign funders who did not want to be named.