I can't focus when there's too many things around. Whenever I used to go to the office, I used to always say, 'Tidy up.'

I really believe in the idea of the future.

You have to really believe not only in yourself; you have to believe that the world is actually worth your sacrifices.

I have been interested in fashion since I was a kid. Then I lived in London, where it was more about costume and a personal statement of who you are than about fashion.

In Iraq, many of my female friends were architects and professionals with a lot of power during the 1980s while all the men were at war in Iran.

Indeed, our designs become more ambitious as we see the new possibilities created by the technology of other industries.

When I was growing up in Iraq, there was an unbroken belief in progress and a great sense of optimism. It was a moment of nation building.