Philip treacy

I do say I'm a specialist in divas. Name a diva - I've worked with 'em.

I believe in a democratic approach to fashion: if you feel good, then great. You may not look good, but it's not the problem.

I grew up in a little village in the west of Ireland.

Fashion is an illusion. It's a multibillion-pound industry that has to appear frivolous. Designers work and work and work, all night sometimes.

I was just, as a child, very different from the others, and didn't really care what they thought because you know, a child doesn't really have inhibitions; you sort of gain your inhibitions later.

I make hats for lots of iconic people, and that makes my job very interesting.

I particularly like to travel for work because you see a completely different side of the country you're visiting.

I believe that I am a hat designer, not a milliner.

Every day, I like to make hats that make people dream.

I am very proud to be Irish.