In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different. I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes. An evening dress that reveals a woman’s ankles while walking is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. I love a black wedding dress. I like the body. I like to design everything to do with the body.

I think there is something about luxury – it’s not something people need, but it’s what they want. It really pulls at their heart. I get ideas about what’s essential when packing my suitcase. I like the things around me to be beautiful and slightly dreamy, with a feeling of worldliness. First I made a dress because I was pregnant and I wanted to be the most beautiful pregnant woman. Then I made a sweater because I wanted to have one that wasn’t like anyone else’s. An evening dress that reveals a woman’s ankles while walking is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen.

I’ve always thought of the T-shirt as the Alpha and Omega of the fashion alphabet. Money doesn’t buy elegance. You can take an inexpensive sheath, add a pretty scarf, gray shoes, and a wonderful bag, and it will always be elegant. Being one step ahead of a fashion trend is not so important to me. What matters is to always forge ahead. Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them. I don’t really know how to do casual clothes.