Donna Karan

“I love building spaces: architecture, furniture, all of it, probably more than fashion. The development procedure is more tactile. It's about space and form and it's something you can share with other people.”

“My mother was a working woman, and I was alone a lot. So I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom.”

“Design is a constant challenge to balance comfort with luxe, the practical with the desirable.”

“I love skiing, I love the sun, I love my children, I love my grandchildren, I love my family and friends... and whatever I haven't done.”

“Delete the negative; accentuate the positive!”

“I give Reiki, which is energy, but I don't tell too many people that.”

“You don't have that much choice in your life, which is one of the big lessons I've learned. I was going to be a designer whether I wanted to be a designer or not.”

“Design and style should work toward making you look good and feel good without a lot of effort so you can get on with the things that matter.”

“My daughter Gabby very kindly once said that she thinks I was a better mother because I was doing a job I loved. I now think guilt is a universal part of being a mother. I used to think it was Jewish-mother guilt but now I think it is working-mother guilt.”

“If it's a regular day, I won't wear any makeup, just leave my hair down and head out to the car.”

“I think I was a nomad in another life.”

“I truly believe that philanthropy and commerce can work together.”

“Originally, back in 1992, DKNY started because I couldn't find a pair of jeans. I also wanted to dress my teenage daughter Gabby. So it was the perfect street wardrobe: jeans, anoraks, jumpsuits, boyfriend jackets, sweaters, skirts and dresses. Then DKNY grew into an entire lifestyle concept, including tailored clothes you wear to work.”

“Everything I do is a matter of heart, body and soul.”

“Evening is a time of real experimentation. You never want to look the same way.”

“It used to be only yoga, but now I do Pilates as well; I feel like I need the balance.”

“I believe in comfort. If you don't feel comfortable in your clothes, it's hard to think of anything else.”

“Business, numbers, negotiations, all that stuff I wouldn't go near.”

“I'm really quite simple.”

“When I first started designing, all women were dressed like men, and I said, 'Hey, guys, let's be women, put the two together - it's not either/or. Let's celebrate our bodies. Our bodies are different.'”