Alexander Wang

“There's a tendency to think that young designers only do fantasy fashion, but I'm more interested in making clothes that women can afford.”

“A lot of designers get caught up in the creativity, but you've got to think about the legs of your collection - essentially, how the line is going to move forward.”

“I seem to always start a collection by designing outerwear and jackets.”

“Where music leads, I follow.”

“Probably the earliest memories for me would be going to restaurants with my family.”

“I've always loved when girls carry their wallets as a clutch instead of a bag.”

“I don't care how small or big they are, insects freak me out.”

“Designing a product and understanding how it filters through into the market and into the rest of the company is very important to me.”

“I was in fashion school, my brother has a law background, and my sister-in-law had worked in production, but none of us had a proper fashion business education.”

“I've always said I'm not the kind of designer who likes to lock himself away in a studio and let the rest of the company deal with it. I work very closely with everyone on the team.”

“Time passes faster and faster, but with every project I always want to find the next challenge and the next challenge is just as exciting as the previous one.”

“The great thing is that young talent isn't tied to a how-to model for starting a line; we get to find new ways to go about doing things. And don't let people tell you you can't. Go find a way to show that you can.”

“When I decided to launch my first knitwear line, it was because I saw a void in the basics category. The editors were always looking for cool, fashion-forward tees and sweaters. So that's where I started.”

“You know, when you go to high school or, you know, when kids are younger and there's not an understanding of differences. But I built up a very strong, thick skin.”

“I tend to like the most basic pieces with the perfect fit and fabric, like a simple tank.”

“No one is going to understand your brand better than you.”

“If you're designing out of a purely creative place, not thinking of the girl, then the consumer's not going to take notice.”

“I mean, I've always said I have an amazing team and network of friends and people that I work with that, you know, inspire me and enable me to do what I do.”

“I like to write and draw everything with sharpies. I even got one with my own name on it!”

“If someone realises the piece they are wearing is inspired by me then it only broadens my audience.”