The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.
I looked at the rap community like street kids wanting their own brand. But now I look at that period with the rappers in the 90s as a trend of the moment. What it taught me was never to follow a trend, because trends move on.
I think it's dangerous to think that you're successful, because then you become complacent.
It was difficult for me because I was searching for the answer for so long, and the answer was right in front of me. Do what I do best.
We are really living the American dream, to be a successful brand in the States and in Europe and to steep ourselves in our heritage. But we do it with a sense of humor. We don't take ourselves too seriously in fashion.
One of the most important things to me is to make things real, not have models who are perfectly groomed or clothes that are too perfect. It all has to have a twist because that's how people live.
In designing a lifestyle brand, you have to know more than just designing clothes.
I currently live in the Plaza in New York and I love it - all that history, all those interesting stories.
I disapprove of lots of decisions made by George Bush: the war, the meddling in the affairs of other countries, the conversations with dictators; it was a dark time.