I have always been inspired by the dream of America-families in the country, weathered trucks and farmhouses; sailing off the coast of Maine; following dirt roads in an old wood-paneled station wagon; a convertible filled with young college kids sporting crew cuts and sweatshirts and frayed sneakers.

I don't like the word ['classic']. It makes you think we didn't do any work.

Some women think that if the look this season is minis, they have to wear minis. If you don't have great legs, there are plenty of alternatives.

I am not looking like Armani today and somebody else tomorrow. I look like Ralph Lauren. And my goal is to constantly move in fashion and move in style without giving up what I am.

I was talking to Donna Karan at an event and she said, "You know, Ralph, I still don't feel rich."

The key to longevity is to keep doing what you do better than anyone else. We work real hard at that. It's about getting your message out to the consumer. It's about getting their trust, but also getting them excited, again and again. My clothes.. the clothes we make for the runway.. aren't concepts. They go into stores. Our stores. Thankfully, we have lots of them.

And I'm excited when I find somebody stimulating to talk with. That's one of the great treasures in life.