What is your idea of perfect happiness? A peaceful soul and no violence

What is your greatest fear? Being unprepared for the worst – harm to my children

What historical figure do you most identify with? Annie Oakley, without her gun

Which living person do you most admire? Ken Burns, Gloria Steinem

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Deplore is too strong of a word. I have spent too much time learning not to deplore things about myself. I WISH I had more confidence.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Not taking responsibility – and lying to cover it up.

What is your greatest extravagance? Any fabric over $100 per yard

What is your favorite journey? One that leads me to unexpected places where I learn all new things and achieve a new perspective

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Heroism for heroism’s sake

On what occasion do you lie? When it protects the integrity of others deserving

What do you dislike most about your appearance? My legs

Which living person do you most despise? I don’t despise anyone… I really don’t.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Make Good Choices! – to my 17 year old son

What is your greatest regret? Not becoming a costume designer at a younger age

What or who is the greatest love of your life? Merrill David

When and where were you happiest? Right here, right now.

What talent would you most like to have? I would love to be a singer

What is your current state of mind? Pondering wisdom

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would have more confidence

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? That difference could be worked out easily through listening to each other unconditionally.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Raising two beautiful, loving children

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what do you think it would be? Carly Simon

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? Still, a costume designer

What is your most treasured possession? Anything that belonged to my grandmother Flossie

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Losing a child

Where would you like to live? Paris

What is your favorite occupation? My own design, without question

What is your most marked characteristic? My hair, so I am told.

What is the quality you like most in a man? Intelligence

What is the quality you like most in a woman? Quiet Strength

What do you most value in your friends? That shoulder to lean on. Honest, candid conversation.

Who are your favorite writers? Thomas Hardy, Ayan Ran, Norman Mailer, Toni Morrison

Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Who are your heroes in real life? Any and all Feminists

What are your favorite names? Lulu and Annie

What is it that you most dislike? Potatoes and bagpipes

How would you like to die? Quietly, peacefully

What is your motto? “Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.”

Which era of fashion history do you personally romanticize the most? The 1920s Paris – no question!

Which three fashion icons, past or present, would you most want to meet? Madeleine Vionnet, Madame Grès, YSL

Who do you think has made the greatest contribution to the art fashion in the past 10 years? Galliano

Where did you first experience the power of fashion? I recall this in relationship to my memory of standing for the first time at 9 months old. I pulled myself up using my mother’s forest green quilted satin bedspread. Lace curtains were blowing over my left shoulder. I remember the feeling of my spine being erect. It was official at that moment, I loved textiles.

What is your current go-to fashion accessory? Lots of bracelets

How many pairs of shoes do you own? 25

Which contemporary designer do you believe will stand the test of time? At the risk of being topical, I think McQueen would have had that honor.

Which fashion designer do you believe most influences your personal style? Sometimes I think I found Bill Gibb and never left.

How do you weigh in on fashion versus style? Style is an element of fashion.

What trend do you regret having followed? Baby Doll dresses – 1970s. BIG MISTAKE!