Asia's culture has planted its roots all over the world, and also has roots in my personal culture.

Asia's culture has planted its roots all over the world, and also has roots in my personal culture.

An Italian piazza was my vision - a place where people would come and meet, see an exhibition, browse through books, have a drink, eat, rest, shop. Even today, the best compliment is when someone tells me that they were having a difficult day, and when they came here, they felt better.

I think more and more today there are two ways to enjoy shopping: the first is the discovery, the feeling of searching and finding, and shopping with the eyes too, using all the senses and enjoying the moment - what I call the "slow shopping" experience; and then the second, of course, is e-commerce, which is contrary to the first but as enjoyable.

I cannot please everybody, but it is important to have one eye. This builds a faithful following and, consequently, good clientele. That's why the conversation - the dialogue with visitors and customers - is so important.

Individualism is important - having a real voice, not just references. I have great respect for the young designers who want to go their own way and try to be a little entrepreneurial, like Thomas Tait today.