“Fashion is made up of paradoxes. There was a key moment in fashion. When the Japanese first arrived - Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, and all - I have to humbly admit that I didn't understand the importance of it at all. It was Jean-Jacques Picart who explained it to me. They had a huge influence in that they showed that aestheticism could be different from prettiness, that there was beauty and that beauty was beyond pretty.” DifferentMomentsInfluenceFashionImportanceParadoxPrettiness Author:Ines de La Fressange
“But overall when you work in fashion, you're always in a rush. You're always a little late, always in a hurry. Every single moment's important, so you never have enough time to do what you want to do. It's ridiculous.” ImportantEnoughFashionRidiculousSingle Mom Author:Ines de La Fressange
“Just watching the people on the streets of NY is inspiring, there are so many styles and unique points of views. Fashion is very much inspired by the streets, has always been and I'm sure it will continue to do so.” PeopleFashionStyleUniqueInspiredPoint Of View Author:Charlotte Ronson
“My upbringing has been pushing and pulling my work my whole life. At first it pushed me away, as I sought to clean up my mind with a style that was slick and glossy, aspirational and wrapped in fantasy. That's still largely how I approach my fashion work. More recently it's pulled me back, particularly since Katrina, and as I get older and lose some of that shame that's inherited with poverty.” MindPovertyFantasyFashionStyleShameWhole LifeUpbringingKatrinaSlick Author:Clayton James Cubitt
“One of my favorite scenes in Fellini is the ecclesiastical fashion show in Roma, and the end of 8 ½, when all the characters in the life of Guido, Marcello Mastroianni, get together and do this grand procession. That was on my mind, especially at the 45th anniversary, when all those characters in Valentino's life returned to Rome. I kept watching that and saying, if only we can arrange that grand procession at the end...and it kind of happened.” MindKindCharacterTogetherFashionSceneMy FavoriteFashion Show Author:Matt Tyrnauer
“I think fashion today is horrible. Just open your eyes and look! What's good about it? There's no originality. Here and there, there is, but in general, en masse, there's very little creativity and very little originality. It's kind of boring. Everybody looks alike. Everybody seems to strive to look alike.” ThinkingKindEyeTodayCreativityFashionStriveBoringHorribleOriginality Author:Iris Apfel
“The biggest mistake people are making when it comes to fashion is looking in the mirror and thinking you're somebody else. People sit and watch the runway and then some nice little plump lady in Squeedunk will see Angelina Jolie in a very glamorous dress from the runway and she thinks if she buys that dress she'll look like her. It's sad, but it's true.” PeopleThinkingMistakeNiceFashionGlamorousBiggest MistakeSome Nice Author:Iris Apfel
“The woman should learn who she is and what she looks like and try to find the best points of dress accordingly. I also think that being appropriate has gone out of fashion. There are appropriate times to wear appropriate kinds of clothes.” ThinkingTryingKindFashion Author:Iris Apfel
“Talking, texting or tweeting on your phone is the worst in any social situation. I went to a lunch during Paris Fashion Week, and I managed to steal a few moments with Lee Radziwill - who I think is perhaps the classiest woman alive - and she said this is her biggest pet peeve too. So I'm in good company.” ThinkingMomentsSituationWeekWorstFashionStealingPetGood CompanyPeevesPet Peeve Author:Derek Blasberg
“I combine aspects of fashion, comedy, sculpture, video, painting all kind of in one multimedia sort of curriculum. New York is what gave me that kind of ability or freedom. People come here from all over the world to do something ambitious, and I think New York is really positive in that regard.” PeopleThinkingWorldKindAbilityComedyFashionPaintingAll KindsAmbitious Author:Chloe Wise
“The only way to make a criticism of something is to really participate in it. I'm a completely capitalist person. I participate in commodity culture and the fashion world. High art is a money-making vehicle. We're not making art in a vacuum. We're not shopping in the woods. These are all things that we do within the larger system of capitalism. For me to critique it, I'm also participating in it. That's obvious, I feel. In my work, I participate in the things that I critique. I satirize the things that I love and know well and find problematic.” WorldArtCultureFashionArt IsCapitalismCriticismObviousCapitalistVehicleCommodityCritique Author:Chloe Wise
“I think seeing is about truly looking, observing, and taking things in with an open mind. It's easy to see things at face value but some of the most beautiful things are not apparent at first glance. The works that stick with me and that I find to be most beautiful are often not aesthetically inviting right off the bat. So I think having an open mind and allowing the lines to blur between art, music, fashion, food, what have you, all leads to cultivating a much more open and enjoyable aesthetic sensibility.” ThinkingMindArtBeautifulValuesEasyFashionAestheticBeautiful ThingsSensibilityObservingEnjoyableOpen MindBlur Author:Chloe Wise
“Research is always a high priority in my fiction. Songs, fashion, politics, television, movies, trends - I try to get those details right.” TryingSongFashionPriorities Author:Mitali Perkins
“Simplicity is the base of everything. At the end of the day if you feel good about yourself, you don't need anything. You don't have to depend on the power of a dress to dress you up. You wear dress the dress, it's not the opposite. It's not only a designer, it's not only just fashion, it's a philosophy. It's a lifestyle.” PhilosophyFashionSimplicityLifestyleFeel GoodDesignerAbout Yourself Author:Alessandra Mastronardi
“The fact is that everyone at the labels wants to do what everyone else is doing. You have to look like her; you have to be like her; you have to sing like her, and no one can express themselves. I look at Rihanna and I am so proud of her. She speaks loudly! You have to stand up and clap. She expresses herself through fashion. She actually can sing. And her songs mean something, even to me, you know?” MeanSongSpeakFashionProud Author:Mary J. Blige
“I'm always jealous of people in the fashion business, especially women. I always feel like they look so light and chic. They figure out how to wear the minimal sort of outfit, whether it be the Prada uniform or a T-shirt with perfect-fitting Levi's and Birkenstocks.” PeopleFashionJealous Author:Charles Finch
“When I was 18 years old, I came to Tokyo from my hometown, Ise, in the countryside. I'd always been really inspired by fashion and music, especially when punk came out in '76 or '77.” FashionInspiredPunkCountrysideHometown Author:Hiroshi Fujiwara
“I actually came from the fashion side, so maybe I knew more about fashion - and music like hip-hop because I was a DJ - so it was really successful when we mixed it all up together.” TogetherSuccessfulFashion Author:Hiroshi Fujiwara
“When we started Nowhere, maybe the fashion industry recognized something was happening, but they just thought, Oh, those kids . . . whatever. They didn't know what was actually going on with us. Now we are those people in a sense - the current establishment. So I hope there's something happening that is new and independent that we know nothing about.” PeopleKidsFashionIndependentFashion Industry Author:Hiroshi Fujiwara
“Maybe Japan itself is a little similar in that a lot of young people seem to have a little knowledge but not too much depth. I guess my perception of the art specialists in America or in Europe is that the art people are kind of mainly just the art people and that community is self-contained. But in Japan, it mixes with fashion and other things. I'm sure that many authentic art dealers or insiders didn't like the way that we presented our show in this very pop-y, accessible manner - just showing parts of our collections and selling prints and collaborative products.” PeopleKindArtCommunityFashionPerceptionSellingPrintDealerLittle Knowledge Author:Hiroshi Fujiwara
“I still feel like I'm really into fashion. I even think sneakers are a fashion item as well. I'm still into sneakers and clothes. Even though I don't wear or buy those things, I find that I'm still like looking for them. I can't wear it, but I still think it's interesting when I see it.” ThinkingInterestingFashion Author:Hiroshi Fujiwara
“I don't know about being an icon yet but I definitely do love fashion; it's really important for me to resemble my music. I definitely look like I sound. Creating an image is an art form in itself, it's a really fun part of being a musician.” ArtImportantFunFashionMusician Author:Zella Day
“It's been fun for me to figure out what I am in the world of fashion. I pull more now from my hometown, the aesthetic of the mountains and Arizona and the old western, vintage kind of vibe mixed with a sort of California bohemia.” WorldKindFunFashionMountainWesternAestheticHometown Author:Zella Day
“I guess I just developed more of an interest to actually be a part of the design, picking out the fabric and just being more involved. I never really considered myself a fashion person, but then I just realized that fashion is just another way of self expression and that's pretty much what I'm most passionate about.” InterestFashionDesignPassionateSelf ExpressionJust Realized Author:Jhene Aiko
“I think in the same way you find a song that you feel represents the way you feel on the inside, that's for me what fashion is all about. It's sort of an external expression of an internal feeling.” ThinkingFeelingsSongFashion Author:Reeve Carney
“Retailing has become fiercely competitive. Today there are many large global fashion companies who have opened up mono-brand stores in major cities around the world. When I first opened my boutique in New York, in 1985, there were almost no other European luxury brands present with their own stores. Now Fifth Avenue is packed with huge stores from major Italian and French labels.” WorldTodayFashionItalian Author:Giorgio Armani
“Clean lines have always been important to me, both in terms of interiors as well as fashion. For interiors, I am more interested in textures and surface treatments than bold color or print - the vein on a wood or the shine on a lacquer, for example. I know immediately when something isn't working - usually it's a question of consistency - and I make instantaneous decisions on how to remedy the situation.” ImportantTermDecisionSituationFashionShiningPrintConsistency Author:Giorgio Armani
“It is imperative to create luxury products that are also functional. My vision for fashion precludes frivolous, fantasy-only designs. That said, fashion does tend to move more quickly than interior design. One doesn't change their couch every season as one does their wardrobe.” MovingVisionFashionDesignWardrobe Author:Giorgio Armani
“I am a big believer that you can have a successful business and give back; it's just about the intention behind starting your business. Of course, your margins aren't going to be as good as they would be if you were just a straight consumer goods fashion company, but obviously the purpose is so much greater. It takes some balancing to figure out how much you can afford to give, but it's definitely possible - and all the more meaningful, if you can strike that balance.” GivingPurposeSuccessfulFashionBalanceIntentionBelieverMeaningfulGiving BackSuccessful Business Author:Lauren Bush
“No matter what level you're starting at, it's about not only utilizing your time, but your resources and network. For me, I started my company with a small amount of savings; I never had investors and I was lucky in the sense that I had models and connections in the fashion industry who were willing to give me advice early on. So really, for anyone starting a new business, it's really important to seek out mentors and knowledge from those who have come before you. And to not let that be discouraging, but to take that advice and really learn from it and mold it to what you're trying to do.” GivingTryingImportantAdviceFashionLuckyInvestorsMentorDiscouragingFashion IndustryNew Business Author:Lauren Bush
“You're taught that you need to please magazines, to please the fashion elite, and that if you do everything the right way, everyone is going to love you. But I decided not to follow some of the rules. My girls from the runway were not just models - they were soldiers. They helped me bring my ideas to life. I was talking about sexiness, about diversity, about different shapes of bodies. I was following my instincts and learning that it would not please the fashion elite. And I think this is the real luxury, to be free to express yourself. Freedom is luxury to me.” ThinkingDifferentRealGirlLove YouFashionDiversityInstinctSoldierExpress YourselfMy GirlSexiness Author:Olivier Rousteing
“It's really sad to me that we even have to talk about diversity in the fashion world today. That I would love to change. Diversity should be normal.” WorldTodayFashionDiversityReally Sad Author:Olivier Rousteing
“Because I worked in fashion, I know that I like fashion. Haute couture is a form of art that I can appreciate. I'm definitely not someone who wakes up every day and thinks about what I'm going to wear, but on the red carpet, it's reflective of the mood I'm in, or the movie I'm going to represent.” ThinkingArtFashionAppreciateWake UpMoodCarpetRed Carpet Author:Diane Kruger
“On my own account I certainly wouldn't have become the director of a couture house. I didn't have sufficient admiration for fashion as such to have done so.” DoneHouseFashionAdmiration Author:Pierre Berge
“If you go to shows today, you have 16 celebrities sitting there, all these people who have nothing to do with fashion.” PeopleTodayFashion Author:Jerry Schatzberg
“When I approach a collection, I never think too much about myself, because doing fashion and being a designer, you need to dream. Of course, there's always a part of myself. I'm always wearing what I'm doing. I'm not a party girl, but when I have the opportunity to go out and dance and be crazy for a night, that's the fall/winter collection.” ThinkingDreamNightFallGirlOpportunityPartyCrazyFashionWinterDesignerBeing Crazy Author:Frida Giannini
“I always had a very strong sense of responsibility, so the minute I started to work in fashion, I was always tremendously serious-too much sometimes. Of course, you can make a lot of mistakes in this job-I still do-but you need to limit them as much as possible. When you're responsible for such a huge company, you cannot play too much. In the beginning, I was working 20 hours per day and I was going crazy. I learned that I needed to delegate and to trust the people around me, but there is still not one element that I don't see or edit or discuss with my people.” PeopleSometimesStrongHoursMistakeResponsibilityCrazyFashionResponsibleVery StrongSense Of ResponsibilityGoing Crazy Author:Frida Giannini
“Fashion for me is the perfect combination of all the things I love. There's an element of history to it. I love understanding why people wear what they wear, why during certain periods in history women looked the way they looked. There was always a strong reason behind it, whether it was because of what was available to them or because of what was happening in the world politically or sociologically. Fashion is like an amazing blend of commerce, travel, and creativity - of studying what people were about during a particular time.” PeopleWorldReasonStrongUnderstandingPerfectCreativityStudyFashion Author:Reed Krakoff
“I think fashion is the only thing I'm fully suited to do because I am super impatient, which I think is a good thing for fashion. I could never work on something for two years. I would do 20 things and finish none of them. I always admire people who have that ability to sustain something for that long a period.” PeopleThinkingLongAbilityFashionGood ThingsAdmireImpatient Author:Reed Krakoff
“It does seem like if you're an interesting person and you have endless amounts of money to indulge your fantasies, then those fantasies will be plagued with guilt about that level of indulgence. It really becomes a self-defeating exercise in pursuing hedonistic desires in any sort of normal or guiltless fashion.” DesireInterestingFantasyFashionExerciseGuiltIndulgeIndulgence Author:Lawrence Douglas
“Hyperpolyglots are not born, and they are not made, but they are born to be made. There is a finite subset of the human population which has the right neurological equipment for learning and using lots of languages. That equipment may serve only a sub-component of language learning, such as mimicry, pattern recognition, or memory, or it serves those sub-components in a global fashion.” LanguageMemoriesFashionRecognition Author:Michael Erard
“I love to work, and to make all kinds of work. But if I work on a fashion story then I work for somebody. If I work for me, for an art project, then I'm not that nervous. It doesn't matter when the photo is done. And if I work on a fashion shoot, then I have access to all these things that I can use later for my art - a still life here or there. I can do all of this while the model is changing.” KindArtDoneFashionAll KindsNervousStill Life Author:Walter Pfeiffer
“Twitter reminds me of an era in French literature - Emile Zola and Honoré de Balzac - and the beginning of modernity and gossip. They had these fashion magazines of the time on display with all of the Emile Zola references.” LiteratureFashionGossip Author:Kim Gordon
“Fashion, at modern time, was actually a way for women to go out in the world. There was one painting of a woman sitting at a café, drinking a beer by herself and kind of pretending to read but really watching people, that sort of thing. It fascinated me.” PeopleWorldKindModernFashionPaintingDrinkingBeerPretending Author:Kim Gordon
“Today it's not strange to see an artist 30 years old having her first retrospective! Different time, different speed. After having been the key point of recognition for an artist, the museum today is just another place to experiment and work, like we can do in any art fair. The king or queen of the moment is completely ignored and replaced by the new one a few years later. Contemporary novelty in art disappears faster than the seasonable changes of the fashion designs.” ArtDifferentMomentsTodayArtistFashionDesignStrangeSpeedDisappearRecognitionReplacedIgnored Author:Daniel Buren
“I didn't know who Calvin Klein was, really. But Brooke Shields, we knew her from those incredible commercials - "There's nothing between me and my Calvins." I knew very little about American fashion then. I had no money, and Charivari was very educational to me. And Parachute. I was fascinated by those stores. I couldn't buy anything; I just went through the clothes.” FashionIncrediblesEducationalNo Money Author:Francisco Costa
“I hope to see women thriving and happy, loving what they're doing, and being in control and powerful of what they create. I guess what I would say is, as much as we all love the fashion and the makeup and the glamour, this isn't a beauty pageant. It's about the heart and the drive and the work. Of course, it's lovely to dress up and compliment one another and feel good - but that shouldn't be the very first thing.” HeartPowerfulFashionLovelyFeel GoodMakeupComplimentGlamourPageant Author:Lady Gaga
“I consider that sex is part of life as much as architecture, fashion, art or food. Sex is life, simple. And I refuse to consider that sex should be hidden. When you hide sex, problems start because sex becomes dangerous.” ArtProblemSimpleFashionDangerousArt IsArchitectureSimple Life Author:Olivier Zahm
“The reason I introduced sex - or erotic imagery - to Purple is not only because I don't want sex to be hidden but because also I consider it as an extension of fashion, the way the body expresses seduction and beauty. It's very artificial to put sex in a ghetto. Plus, sex sells.” ReasonFashionSeductionImageryGhetto Author:Olivier Zahm