The decision to divorce myself from the business side unexpectedly blew up in my face. The creative freedom I thought I was getting turned out to be anything but.

I was getting paid to be involved with what I loved more than anything on earth: clothes.

I was the first in my family to go to college, and so, growing up, I thought that dressing well opened doors.

Making a strong first impression is as important as ever, especially when meeting face-to-face.

After all those years in the business, I asked myself, 'Am I really any good? Or am I only good because I'm with good people - a Murray Pearlstein, a Ralph Lauren?

I made that decision back in 1985. I was out here getting certified in SCUBA with Garcia in Kona and I thought to myself, this is a place to wake up in in the morning.