I’ve always had the ambition to be a lifestyle brand. When I think of the American lifestyle brands I’ve always looked up to, Ralph and Calvin, I know it’s never going to be the same as them. But I get excited by the opportunities presented by what’s never been done before. And there’s never been […]
Design Quotes
The roots of my fashion are very classic. People judge me avant-garde, people judge me rock and roll, and I am smiling. I am the most classically influenced of the Italian designers.
Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of visible LGBT people on TV. And I was VERY influenced by television. It formed my aesthetic and view on fashion and design – the clothes worn by Cher and Carol Burnett on their shows really stand out. Both designed by Bob Mackie, of course. When I was […]
Traditional licensing — beauty, fragrance, accessories — used to be the things that would help cash flow. Those markets have shrunk. Designers have to look at themselves and say I’m willing to take the risk and break from tradition. For designers today, what are alternative products or content that we can build? I believe brands […]
Great costumes, especially in a period piece, shouldn’t take over but instead help strengthen the actors’ performances.
I don’t believe that everything has to be a cashmere sweater and a pair of luxury flannels. Not everyone can afford Ralph Lauren Purple Label and not everyone wants it. So I made clothes for the preppy, for the RRL guy, for the luxury sportswear guy. Is it a dressing-up box for the American Dream? […]
It’s not just about clothes; it’s how you live. It’s like with my restaurants. I didn’t know they were going to be successful. I just had a feeling for what I wanted. It’s the same as the clothes. It feels the same. Now, you got to keep it going, you got to keep the food […]
A “Normal” person is the sort of person that might be designed by a committee. You know, “Each person puts in a pretty color and it comes out gray.”
