I collect books, a lot of books.

Live in such a way, that if someone speaks badly of you no one would belive it. Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends.

I did not go to fashion school. I arrived in New York in 1986 from Kansas City and was working as accessories editor for Mademoiselle Magazine. While working at Mademoiselle I noticed that the market lacked stylish and sensible handbags, so I decided to create my own.

As far as I'm concerned playing 'Dress Up' begins at the age of five, and never truly ends.

I started getting orders from some of the leading stores Fred Segal, Bergdorf Goodman. I realized then that my bags were being noticed by the fashion world.

I love lamps. I can't stand overhead lighting. I have to have everything on a dimmer.

I started designing my handbags in my apartment and I had six samples made in satin-finished nylon. I displayed them at trade shows but they went unnoticed at first.