Fashion was a very insider industry then - it was very closed. So I didn't really know what I wanted to do.

When you respect somebody who has talent, whether it's a designer or a photographer, then you don't want to let yourself down - but you also really don't want to let them down.

I try to be aware of technology and Japanese animation and old Belgian paintings, and get all my references from bits of everywhere.

I'm not giving up on my work. I'm still trying to challenge people's aesthetics and myself.

I worked at a bunch of salons, and at one, a girl was going out to do a photo shoot for a women's magazine and brought me along to assist her. I remember going on that shoot and thinking, "God, this is great. It's creative, and you get to work with all of these other creative people." At that point I decided that hair would be my in to fashion and all the things I thought I would enjoy - and did enjoy.

Someone might say that's a naïve way of looking at things now, and I would respect their opinion, but I also respect every woman's right to wearing her own individual style, including hair.

I think to many people, textured curls still signify 'difference.' And kids like to pick on what's different.