I doubt I'll ever retire, but if I do, I see myself as the little old Parisian lady pushing her trolley from the supermarket to her apartment. Everyone needs a pipe dream.

I'm interested in clothes in the way that other people are interested in cars.

Constance Spry was one of the first people to put flowers in urns and ceramic swans and other unusual containers, but her arrangements tended to be a little less full.

My children's favourite thing is to con me into buying them ice-cream if there's not too big a queue at our local gelataria, Messina.

I am sufficiently wary of dangerous situations, but I'm not scared of having a go.

When you're surrounded by feathers and sequins and ridiculous Lycra outfits, it's impossible not to have a smile on your face.

I love every period in design history. Even the ugly ones.

Suffering produces the very endurance that will enable you to reach the finish line of the race set before you.

Even in the most bold and daring acts, courage is a matter of the heart.

If you go to old houses on Long Island you will see painted Chinese wallpaper, which was big in the 18th century. Throughout history, notable, established families have always tried to link to the 18th century.