I don't care how small or big they are, insects freak me out.
Alexander Wang
It's hard sometimes to take a step back and realize what's happened because you're always trying to move forward. You're always looking at the next palette.
No one ever taught me, and I never had formal classes in pattern making, so I was like, Okay, I'll just drape, and I'll sew as I pin it.
I tend to like the most basic pieces with the perfect fit and fabric, like a simple tank.
I've always loved when girls carry their wallets as a clutch instead of a bag.
Time passes faster and faster, but with every project I always want to find the next challenge and the next challenge is just as exciting as the previous one.
I think everyone shares a fear of failure - that you're only as good as your most recent collection. That's definitely a fear, but it's a fear that fuels me, that makes me want to work harder, that makes me take on more challenges.
The great thing is that young talent isn't tied to a how-to model for starting a line; we get to find new ways to go about doing things. And don't let people tell you you can't. Go find a way to show that you can.
I feel so thankful that I'm able to be a part of something that I love to wake up and run to work every day.
I'm not like most designers, who have to set sail on an exotic getaway to get inspired. Most of the time, it's on my walk to work, or sitting in the subway and seeing something random or out of context.
You know, when you go to high school or, you know, when kids are younger and there's not an understanding of differences. But I built up a very strong, thick skin.
I've always said I'm not the kind of designer who likes to lock himself away in a studio and let the rest of the company deal with it. I work very closely with everyone on the team.
There's a tendency to think that young designers only do fantasy fashion, but I'm more interested in making clothes that women can afford.
If you're designing out of a purely creative place, not thinking of the girl, then the consumer's not going to take notice.
Any style that Nike makes in all black, shoe, sweatshirt, onesie, doesn't matter, I pretty much need to have.
When you focus on the consumer, the consumer responds.
The industry's changed so much that you can't just design something, put on a great show, and say, 'Okay, my job is done.'
I like to write and draw everything with sharpies. I even got one with my own name on it!
A lot of designers get caught up in the creativity, but you've got to think about the legs of your collection - essentially, how the line is going to move forward.
If someone realises the piece they are wearing is inspired by me then it only broadens my audience.
I was in fashion school, my brother has a law background, and my sister-in-law had worked in production, but none of us had a proper fashion business education.
A lot of my work is a matter of reacting to surprises in life.
My mom would put me in these preppy little suits and slick my hair to the side. I have these baby pictures of me where I'm this little preppy kid with a sweater tied around my neck.
I thought I would attend school and get an assistant position and work my way up but being in NY and seeing the pace of everything, is very inspiring.
I never really did sports growing up. Maybe that's why they intrigue me. The technology that goes into that clothing is steps ahead, so it's always been something I look towards.
My friends always joke that I run on batteries.
My mom would take me to restaurants, and the first thing I'd ask for would be a pen and a napkin, and I'd sketch shoes and shoes and shoes.
No one is going to understand your brand better than you.
I think sometimes there are negative connotations for those who have a business mind as well as a creative side.
Designing a product and understanding how it filters through into the market and into the rest of the company is very important to me.
I love layers!
I seem to always start a collection by designing outerwear and jackets.
I don't think fashion week will go back to what it used to be because people are realising that the industry is completely changing. It's not just in Bryant Park any more, people are figuring out who their audience is, where they want to show, they aren't really playing by the rules. It's not so much about these editors, these buyers.
When I decided to launch my first knitwear line, it was because I saw a void in the basics category. The editors were always looking for cool, fashion-forward tees and sweaters. So that's where I started.
In the beginning I pushed toward perfection, but it takes time to get to certain places.
Where music leads, I follow.
I mean, I've always said I have an amazing team and network of friends and people that I work with that, you know, inspire me and enable me to do what I do.
Probably the earliest memories for me would be going to restaurants with my family.
