As a designer I like to work with fabrics that don't bleed. That's why I avoid all animal skins.

A little black dress is something to rely on. To fill you with confidence and ease. To have an attitude that is pure and effortless, yet sexy and classy.

I loved all those Doris Day visuals of her being a tomboy and then changing into this gorgeous girl in a ballgown.

More than anything I want to be fit so I don't get out of breath when I play football with the kids.

Success financially is a measure of creative success, it is the same in all arts.

The main challenge is technology and that's something I really push and work closely with Adidas on. They're real leaders in sports performance; always trying to push that further and further and get the best technology they can. That takes time and has rigorous testing, it's very laborious, but it's also very rewarding. You get to work with fantastic athletes, and that's a fantastic thing that has nothing to do with my day job in ready-to-wear.

The really great thing about my shop is that there's not one dead animal in it. ... Manolo's got a load of fabric shoes as well! We use plastic, fabric, rubber- anything but leather. I almost feel like I've been put here to show everyone that it's unnecessary.