My father taught me respect for quality as well as a sense of dignity - great values as we face a world going in a different direction. I try to teach my children to stay close to the real things.

Put a compass to paper and trace a circle. Then tell me which other country has such a concentration of places like Amalfi, Naples, Ischia, Procida, Sorrento, Positano, Pompeii, and Capri.

My father wasn’t absolutely delighted. He wanted me to become a lawyer. I studied law, but I thought the shoe business was more exciting.

You try to be young, maybe you like to have a few toys, but it’s not the most important thing in life.

When I am walking in Central Park, I recognize the Italians. Because an Italian, even when he jogs, he’s dressed perfect.

I need to have a quick wardrobe. Two or three blazers with dark gray pants, two pairs of jeans, two light blue shirts, a casual shirt, two pairs of shoes, one formal one not. Small accessories like Tod’s Greca belt and our woven bracelets for a wild touch.

Italian style is a natural attitude. It is about a life of good taste. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Simple but with good taste. Luxury is possible to buy. Good taste is not.

When you work too much, you are boring – that is possible. But to have a happy life, if you can do several things in the correct way, that is perfect.

Saks is one of the temples of good-quality products in America. The Saks shop in New York, for me, is the most interesting department store in America.

You have to be serious-minded in business, but not take yourself seriously.