I could eat gazpacho three times a day.

Never underestimate the impact of a small act.

The inspiration starts with the armor my parents collected. The references are subtle, whether in the mix of textures (woven, quilted, pleated) or in the tapestry brocades and florals. The focus is on clean, strong silhouettes with bold embellishments. Accessories reflect the mood - belts with chain details, lace-up ghillie heels and muffs.

Ambition is not a four-letter word and women have to embrace that.

I think women do work differently; it's important to have both men and women. They offer different things.

I grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania, where my parents raised German shepherds - we had about 30 dogs at any given time.

An important lesson: Things that look like an overnight success usually aren't.