Working for incredible talents like Balenciaga and Antonio Castillo, I learned about the immense skill and creativity involved in couture work.
Fashion is about the present and the immediate future. I think in terms of now.
I come from a very warm island, where colors are very important, very vibrant, and obviously the color has been an influence on my work.
I adore gardening, and whenever I have time off, that is my passion.
A woman plays such an active role in society. And today, the woman who influences fashion is not that very rich woman who sits at home and polishes her nails. It's the one who works, who is a doer, who does things by dressing. She's very strongly projecting an image of herself as an individual.
As far as preference between fall and spring collections, I have none that I prefer to design. With fall you have a lot more items, but of course I am from the Dominican Republic, so I love the warm weather.
My beloved Hillary, do not disappoint me. You have to be President, OK?
Online media is increasingly influential in fashion.
Regardless of how good or bad a collection might be, it's a letdown after the show is over. It's done. Something you've worked on for months is just over.
Yes, I had cancer. Right now, I am totally clean. The only realities in life are that you are born, and that you die.
My approach is that fashion must always be optimistic, and that a woman will always be enticed by beautiful clothes.
You know I started an orphanage so totally by accident. A lady came to me and asked me if I would, I will help her and we start it with little school and then I fell in love with it.
When I went to see Mrs. Clinton and we talk about the inaugural dress I ask her what would you like to achieve with this particular dress? And she said to me what I would like is - that when I walk into the room and people will look at me and say wow you look great.
If you have the right to call me a hot dog why do I not have the right to call you a stale 3-day old hamburger?
I always design my own hats to complete my fashion thought....I like them slightly mad, like this huge black poppy. Right now I lift the bosom high on coats and dresses...I am using so many high curved belts.
Tell me, which designers in New York do you think are great - besides me, of course.
Every season I am inspired by women.
If you want to establish an international presence you can't do so from New York. You need the consecration of Paris.
You don't go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater.
My wife said I look like a Latin American dictator. I said, 'That's what I am'
My customers are successful workingwomen.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America is a national neurotic society of creative leaders in various fields of fashion.
