“My father wasn't absolutely delighted. He wanted me to become a lawyer. I studied law, but I thought the shoe business was more exciting.” WantedLawFatherExcitingShoesLawyerDelighted Author:Diego Della Valle
“I remember perfectly my first trip to New York, when I was on the bridge between Brooklyn and Manhattan, when I saw the skyscrapers. It was like an incredible dream.” FirstsDreamRememberSawsNew YorkIncrediblesBridgesBrooklynManhattanSkyscraper Author:Diego Della Valle
“Italian style is a natural attitude. It is about a life of good taste. It doesn't have to be expensive. Simple but with good taste. Luxury is possible to buy. Good taste is not.” NaturalSimpleAttitudeStyleTasteLuxuryExpensiveItalianGood Taste Author:Diego Della Valle
“I bought into Saks as a personal investment because, when I was a young man and went to America for the first time, it seemed to me that Saks was like a cathedral of retail. I never dreamt that I could one day be a part of it. And now I am.” MenFirstsAmericaYoungOne DayFirst TimeInvestmentYoung ManCathedralsRetail Author:Diego Della Valle
“I need to have a quick wardrobe. Two or three blazers with dark gray pants, two pairs of jeans, two light blue shirts, a casual shirt, two pairs of shoes, one formal one not. Small accessories like Tod's Greca belt and our woven bracelets for a wild touch.” NeedsTwoLightThreeDarkBlueShoesShirtsPairsGrayPantsFormalJeansBeltsCasualWardrobeWovenAccessoriesPair Of ShoesBraceletBlazersLight Blue Author:Diego Della Valle
“Businessmen should not put their finger in politics, because they tend to think only of their own self-interest. But I worry about the low morale in Italian industry and the lack of government initiatives to help the poor.” ThinkingShouldSelfHelpingGovernmentInterestPoorWorryIndustryLowsFingersItalianInitiativeBusinessmanSelf InterestMoraleHelp The Poor Author:Diego Della Valle
“I was born and I live in a small village, where the centre of life is the square, and the small bar/cafe.” Life IsBornBarsVillageSquaresCentreCafesSmall Villages Author:Diego Della Valle
“When I am walking in Central Park, I recognize the Italians. Because an Italian, even when he jogs, he's dressed perfect.” PerfectWalkingParksItalianCentral Park Author:Diego Della Valle
“You try to be young, maybe you like to have a few toys, but it's not the most important thing in life.” TryingImportantYoungImportant ThingsToysThings In LifeBe YoungMost Important Things In Life Author:Diego Della Valle
“The boom for luxury goods is unending. There are people who never have to worry about whether they can afford something they like. In one part of the world or another there will always be someone with money to spend on luxury.” PeopleWorldWorryLuxuryGoodsUnendingLuxury Goods Author:Diego Della Valle
“Image is something you construct, while reputation starts at home. If you are able to pass on solid values to your children, then they can become citizens of the world.” IfsWorldChildrenHomeAbleValuesCitizensOur ChildrenReputationYour ChildrenConstructs Author:Diego Della Valle
“When you work too much, you are boring - that is possible. But to have a happy life, if you can do several things in the correct way, that is perfect.” IfsWayCan DoPerfectToo MuchBoringHappy Life Author:Diego Della Valle
“I hope I will be remembered as a good father and a fair employer. And a good host, of course!” CoursesFatherFairsRememberedHostEmployersGood Father Author:Diego Della Valle
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be a footballer and racing driver, like all kids.” KidsWantedDriversRacingFootballerRacing Driver Author:Diego Della Valle
“I love and admire the American culture and the American dream. I learnt so many things about the American shoe industry and marketing strategies. I caught the secrets of American casual wear, that is elegant and wearable, retro and modern, and mixed it with an Italian touch, luxurious and handmade.” DreamCultureSecretModernIndustryStrategyShoesMarketingCaughtAdmireItalianAmerican DreamElegantCasualAmerican CultureMarketing StrategyLuxuriousRetroHandmade Author:Diego Della Valle
“Put a compass to paper and trace a circle. Then tell me which other country has such a concentration of places like Amalfi, Naples, Ischia, Procida, Sorrento, Positano, Pompeii, and Capri.” CountryPaperCirclesConcentrationOther CountriesCompassNaplesPompeiiCapri Author:Diego Della Valle
“My father taught me respect for quality as well as a sense of dignity - great values as we face a world going in a different direction. I try to teach my children to stay close to the real things.” WorldTryingWellsChildrenDifferentRealFacesValuesFatherQualityTeachTaughtDignityMy ChildrenReal ThingsDifferent DirectionsGreat Value Author:Diego Della Valle
