In terms of bridal dress, I've tried everything. I've tried short, long, deconstructed, constructed, bustiers, working in fabrics, working in color. I've been working in color in bridal for probably 15 years. Who else would do an entire collection dipped in tea? I did that one year. My design team dipped every single dress in tea in a bathtub. I did that just because I wanted to work out of the vocabulary of white.

My closet is organized by tops, pants, and outerwear, but not a lot of dresses. Gowns are in another room because I don't often dress formally, even though I design gowns. Like most designers, I have a uniform, and mine is a legging.

I see myself as a true modernist. Even when I do a traditional gown, I give it a modern twist. I go to the past for research. I need to know what came before so I can break the rules.

My mother was extremely controlled, sort of flawless. And I always tend to be a bit more hippie.

Fashion to me has become very disposable; I wanted to get back to craft, to clothes that could last.

The intricate engraving, fine lines, beading and milgrain accents echo an era defined by elaborate embellishments.

When you have a passion for something then you tend not only to be better at it, but you work harder at it too.