When I was young, about 18 or 19, I read all the Dostoyevsky novels, which made me want to go to St. Petersburg. So I went, and I was so inspired.

My brother told me he was very proud of me, of the business I have built, and that gives me joy.

As I get older, I find that wearing bright colors cheers me up.

I do not discriminate about size. I design dresses to accentuate a woman's positives, whether you are a size 0 or a size 3X.

I am not really brand-conscious; I pick out clothes that appeal to me regardless of the label, but I consider my style very American.

It's a Japanese way of thinking, that I give value for my merchandise. So I don't want to sell unnecessarily expensive dresses and make just 10 or 20 and then feel satisfied. I want to design for real women who can afford my dresses.