Fashion to me has become very disposable; I wanted to get back to craft, to clothes that could last.

---

I work with structure, but I go outside the box and give it my own spin. I adore the challenge of creating truly modern clothes - where a woman's personality and sense of style are realized.

---

I always see where I didn't do things the right way. I only see the heavy lifting. That's a bit of my wisdom, if you want to call it that.

---

I see myself as a true modernist. Even when I do a traditional gown, I give it a modern twist. I go to the past for research. I need to know what came before so I can break the rules.

---

Don't be afraid to take time to learn. It's good to work for other people. I worked for others for 20 years. They paid me to learn.

---

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

---

I love a black wedding dress.

---

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.

---

I've been designing since I was 8. I started sketching dresses I could wear when skating. I was always involved in all aspects of skating, not just the technique, the choreography, the music, but the visual aspects, too - what I should wear.

---

I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman.

---