I see myself as an arbiter of taste.

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I never thought I'd be successful. It seems in my own mind that in everything I've undertaken I've never quite made the mark. But I've always been able to put disappointments aside. Success isn't about the end result; it's about what you learn along the way.

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My normal routine is pretty much putting out fires all day.

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When I decided to get married at 40, I couldn't find a dress with the modernity or sophistication I wanted. That's when I saw the opportunity for a wedding gown business.

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Fashion offers no greater challenge than finding what works for night without looking like you are wearing a costume.

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Every woman hates her own body. I don't know a woman who doesn't . . . well, I do know a few who love themselves but in the case of most women it's like, "ugh." And when I dress a woman, my design intention is to give them an attitude or a grace, no matter whether it's a wedding gown or ready-to-wear.

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It's a remarkable exercise to sit and look at your own work over the years.

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Even the most understated ceremony involves a certain respect for ritual and pageantry. No one plays more of a significant role than the bride's attendants.

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Service is a prerequisite for anything relating to luxury. That makes it (shopping) sensual and pleasurable.

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The key is falling in love with something, anything. If your heart's attached to it, then your mind will be attached to it.

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