The only time I was really surprised was the reaction to the [shoot dedicated to the] BP oil [spill in 2010]. I didn't expect it at all. It was for the August issue, perhaps one of the less relevant months, but there was so much buzz. It was picked up all over the American television, but I defended my position. I don't understand those that say that a magazine such as Vogue should not talk about these things.

Fashion has always been very generous. Think of what it has done for curing AIDS.

Fashion is a mirror of the era in which we live. Why should the magazine be disconnected from reality? It's not like in the past.

Giving back is the new luxury.

You know, I can be very tough in my answers, and that was good for the magazine because it didn't mix focus points - it was to be extravagant, experimental, innovative. But the web site has made it more human. So the Web site is good for the magazine.

In New York there are between four and six big designers, and the shows last one week. There is something wrong here. It's our fault. We can't stand up for it. They take our ads, don't they? Why don't they want to stay longer in Milan? Why do we have to comply? We have the most beautiful brands, they are Italians.

For me, money is to use - it's only to use. So I never have money because I always spend. That's why in a way I protect myself in having houses. But if I had just cash or kept it in the bank, I'd spend it immediately. But not for stupid things. So I don't like to have money. I never have money in my pocket.