I've had my own moments in front of designers when I've actually said, 'You know, there's a market here for expanding your work, and here it is. And frankly, there are two markets: The women who are larger than the 12, and then there are women who are petite. And most designers that I talk to have absolutely no interest in addressing either of those populations, which I find repugnant.

I learned from teaching. If you are perceived by the student to be belittling them or purely criticizing them without offering up words of encouragement and support, they shut down and discredit you.

I always say I have a Socratic approach to most things that I do. I pummel people with questions, because I need to know what they're thinking, what they're trying to achieve, what they believe the final outcome is going to be.

From my own experience, there are so many people who believe that the individual can change. The individual doesn't have to be LGBT.

Mood has a scuba section? Who knew?

If you don't have experience sewing, start with that, because that will inform what you are able to design.

I do things like hem a pair of pants, I do my own tailoring but I wouldn't attempt a jacket.