Great fashion is all about surprise. It should always be about doing something that isn't by the book.

I think of my life as divided between a lot of different periods. I grew up in the country, but as I got older I became more of an urban person. That's really when I started to become more of a creative person who was interested in fine arts, painting, drawing, and music. I studied jazz for a long time. Looking back, all those things were great training.

I think sometimes you get too caught up in the business side, and you make compromises, and then the brand becomes unexciting. I think in the early stages you have to be bold. You have to define yourself. Everyone wants to understand who you are and why you're here. I think the best brands are forever surprising people.

One can never have too many books.

Museums that aren't perfect are the ones that I love. Museums that aren't overdesigned. I always like to visit the strange, odd museums. In New York, the Frick is absolutely my favorite, favorite place because I like to think that it was someone's home not that long ago.

In design I look for something I'm drawn to. I try to look for an immediate connection with something - something I just fall in love with. I feel if people have to explain to you why it's good, it's not so good.

I don't want to have a singular vision. I don't have that kind of discipline. I love the randomness of my life - how I have five, six, seven projects going on at one time.