My role as the chair of the fashion department at Parsons put me face to face with all the big designers, retailers, and editors. Since I was moving in these new circles regularly, I realized I needed to do something about my own personal style. It was really Diane von Furstenberg who gave me the nudge.

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

If you have to ask if a clothing item is a dress or a top, it is always a top.

I have my flaws and my issues, past and present and who knows what will happen in the future. I want people to know Im vulnerable too and each one of us is.

I found early on in teaching, if you're too blunt an instrument, the students discredit you and think you're just being mean. They're not interested in what you have to say.

I learned quickly that if the student’s perception is that you’re not listening to them, and not understanding them, they discredit you.

Trying and acheiving are two different things.