The West is boring itself to death! And talking itself to death!

Fashion must be the most intoxicating release from the banality of the world.

I think i always had a perfectly clear view of what was possible for the public. "Give'em what they never knew they wanted".

I've always remained totally myself, which is to say, without an idea... of what to do.

I'm terrible on facts. But I always have an idea. If you have an idea, you're well ahead

God was fair to the Japanese. He gave them no oil, no coal, no diamonds, no gold, no natural resources — nothing! Nothing comes from the island that you can sustain a civilization on. What God gave the Japanese was a sense of style—maintained through the centuries through hard work and the disciplines of ambition.

One is born with good taste. It's very hard to acquire. You can acquire the patina of taste. But what Elsie Mendl had was something else that's particularly American––an appreciation of vulgarity. Vulgarity is a very important ingredient in life. I'm a great believer in vulgarity––if it's got vitality. A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad taste––it's hearty, it's healthy, it's physical. I think we could use more of it. No taste is what I'm against.