I always let other people describe me because if I describe myself you will not understand.

I love books; my suitcases are always full of them. Books and shoes. I read when I am sad, when I am happy, when I am nervous. My favourite British author is Jane Austen, and my favourite American one is John O'Hara.

One thing about my mother is that she has her taste: She knows what she likes and what looks good. It's not studied. There is no insecurity in what she is going to wear, and I think that translates into effortlessness. Her career has been a steady rise, and it hasn't been about the fashion of the moment. It's been because she has kept to her style. She didn't go grunge when it was grunge, or 70's when it was 70's. It's about being secure with what you like and not worrying about what's in fashion that particular day. That's what I admire about her.

In fashion, you have to have perseverance. You have to do it again and again, but it's something that comes out of my heart, and I love it.

You have to find your own style, and it's difficult to define what style is. It's not what you're wearing; it's how you wear it. It's something very personal, and it reflects the way you live and your house, the books you read, the art you have.

You have to have a full-length mirror in your house so you can see what is missing and what you have to add to your look.

Life is hard. It is not too short, it is too long. But you have to learn how to live; you have to have a sense of humour.