I don't believe that clothes can start a revolution, but I do believe that fashion is often a manifestation of a sociological or political climate.

If my parents had discouraged me, I would have turned out very differently. They raised me in an open-minded, liberal environment.

If I was ever going to become a good designer, I had to leave America. My own culture was inhibiting me. Too much style in America is tacky. It's looked down upon to be too stylish. Europeans, however, appreciate style.

My career in fashion has been very much about sexuality and sex, and I think a lot of people think that's all I can do and what I am all about.

I am tired of the cult of youth. The cultural rejection of old age, the stigmatization of wrinkles, grey hair, of bodies furrowed by the years. I am fascinated by Diana Vreeland, Georgia O’Keeffe and Louise Bourgeois, women who have let time embrace them without ever cheating. Society today condemns this, me, I celebrate it.

It was like one of those dreams at high school when everyone else has clothes on except you.

I am one of those people who isn’t great at anything, but I’m pretty good at most things.