Vera wang

Design is about point of view, and there should be some sort of woman or lifestyle or attitude in one's head as a designer. So my being able to reach the masses was something that meant a great deal...

I make things of my own that aren't that glam, but I'm not known for that, which has always been a bit of a frustration for me.

I love to design things that people can actually buy. I'm staggered by what a boot costs today.

I do speak Mandarin, and I also relate to the hunger that China has for culture and architecture and style.

All those years of skating and dancing have carried over. I can't design anything without thinking of how a woman's body will look and move when she's wearing it.

I love a black wedding dress.

I don't live through my kids. But I do know what will happen in life, and I just want them well prepared.

I was a total fashion insider who became an outsider when I did bridal.

Figure skating has been a great influence for me. I took dance at the School of American Ballet, which helped my own skating. And whether you are a skater or a dancer, without sounding narcissistic,...

That was a major goal for me - to be able to reach and encourage more women, to encourage them to express themselves and be what they want to be. People get very trapped where they are.