I love the 2000s because everyone started to love haute couture.

French people are charming, adorable but not extremely generous with foreigners, but they believe in what they do. I feel proud in exchange because what I did in restoration is something I did for La France.

An evening dress that reveals a woman's ankles while walking is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen.

I hope people will say, 'Mr. Valentino, he did something for fashion, no?

I love my beauty. It's not my fault.

Even as a young boy, my passion was to design, and I have been very lucky to be able to do what I have loved all my life. There can be few greater gifts than that.

I am like a freight train. Working on the details, twisting them and playing with them over the years, but always staying on the same track.