I've always been pleased with the investments I've made with my friend Albert Frere and I regret not having followed him more, because I would have been a lot richer.

In the luxury business, you have to build on heritage.

It's true that I am not from the south and I have a certain reserve. I take time to get close to, and I don't immediately throw my arms round someone. But it is more a question of style.

From time to time, the Vienna Philharmonic could play without a conductor because they are so good.

Oh, I was brought up in the north of France, and I had a very enjoyable childhood with my family working as entrepreneur.

Working in the context of ultra-famous brands like Dior and Vuitton, creative spirits are always going to feel reined in. It's important that they are free to develop ideas. And rather than detracting from the principal job, it reinforces it. I think of that money as venture capital. It's not a big investment.

When you are on the management side, you still have to understand the artistic sensibility so that there is a dialogue with the creative side.