When I was 12, I used to dress as a woman in the house. At the time, cross-dressing was a big taboo in Italy. It was better to have a son who was a drug addict than a cross-dresser.

I started to draw and design clothes that I couldn't find, because everything was all luxury, fashion clothes or very straight. So I mixed all of that together: Who says I can't put a man in a skirt? Who says that a man can't wear lace? Who says that men can't wear Swarovski? Who says that men can't wear makeup? You know what I'm like; for me, straight, gay, women, men, trans, we're all the same. I don't see difference.

I come from a very poor family, with sisters. I never really knew my father, so I miss this strong image of a man in my life.

I didn't know I was going to become a designer; I was going to become a successful person, but I really wanted to be free.

For me, fashion is a job. I love it. It's my passion. But the most important thing for me in general is life.

I can give a beautiful present, and that may change the lives of people around me.

When I do a show I have such high emotion; the energy is amazing - but, people don't really see the details and the work and the experimentation that we, the designers, put into the clothes. With prêt-à-porter you're having a look.