My passion for music has always inspired my designs.

My mother inspired me to treat others as I would want to be treated regardless of age, race or financial status.

The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.

My mother was kind and forgiving and would take in all the waifs and strays in our neighbourhood; we always compared her to Mother Teresa. She taught me a lot.

I was looking at people like Jim Morrison and David Bowie and Mick Jagger and I thought, Ah! I want to look like them.

The preppy lifestyle has gone global. We feel that our business has grown so well because preppy travels so well. It's all-American classic.