Mid-'80s in New York was fantastic. I remember my first Gay Pride parade in the city. Where I grew up was very sheltered, so when I got to the city, there was this freedom and so much happening. At the same time, there was this pressure of AIDS and everything else. New York is so different today.

I like cold. I really like to go to cold towns. I love gray. I love winter.

Milan, for me, is a city of discovery. You can find some amazing gardens behind some great houses; I also love finding beautiful galleries and incredible shops, but you have to explore. And the food is amazing.

I didn't know who Calvin Klein was, really. But Brooke Shields, we knew her from those incredible commercials - "There's nothing between me and my Calvins." I knew very little about American fashion then. I had no money, and Charivari was very educational to me. And Parachute. I was fascinated by those stores. I couldn't buy anything; I just went through the clothes.

I hope the average woman feels she needs practicality but with a little bit of fantasy. Otherwise it's just not fashion.

Each season I strive to design a forward-thinking and effortless collection with a very clean minimalist aesthetic.

I have no tolerance for boredom. I spend so many hours in the office, and I still love it.