Tom Ford

“I think we're very uptight in America. You have to remember that we're descended from Puritans. Whether or not the country is now composed of immigrants, our culture as American really begins with the landing of the Pilgrims and a puritanical view of things.”

“I'm actually very introverted. I'm very shy. I'm very emotional.”

“I grew up in New Mexico, and the older I get, I have less need for contemporary culture and big cities and all the stuff we are bombarded with. I am happier at my ranch in the middle of nowhere watching a bug carry leaves across the grass, listening to silence, riding my horse, and being in open space.”

“Your name is a funny thing. It stands for what you're about, and everything I do is really about pride.”

“Part of fashion is newness. It's got to be a new combination of elements that's shocking-stunning-beautiful all at the same time. But it doesn't have any emotion.”

“Do you know how rare it is in parts of America to actually see 'an outfit'? France? I don't want to be anti-French, but there isn't a more unattractive group of people on the streets.”

“It's really never fair to judge people because none of us know what's going on inside anyone else's head.”

“We live in a material world. I'm not saying that beautiful things don't enhance our lives. But, in our culture, we're never happy.”

“I find a bath meditative and usually prepare myself for the day in this manner.”

“I am a perfectionist. This job is a total ego thing in a way. To be a designer and say, 'This is the way they should dress; this is the way their homes should look; this is the way the world should be.' But then, that's the goal: world domination through style.”

“The U.S. used to be perceived as the moral leader of the world, and we have absolutely lost that.”

“We've become a little spoiled with menswear in particular because, of course, we've come off a period in the '70s and '80s when Armani, which is very soft, dominated menswear. And we've become obsessed with comfort. I actually don't like that.”

“I'm a believer in fate and in fulfilling your destiny. I've always had a kind of inner voice that I have learned to listen to.”

“I am totally fearless! Well, of course, I'm not totally fearless. I worry constantly and obsess over things, but I just don't let fear stand in the way of doing something that I really want to do.”

“My grandmother was probably the first person who I thought was beautiful. She was incredibly stylish, she had big hair, big cars. I was probably 3 years old, but she was like a cartoon character. She'd swoop into our lives with presents and boxes, and she always smelled great and looked great.”

“I think that they haven't been able to perfect a good facelift for a man.”

“A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach.”

“Students in the '60s were responsible for great changes, politically and socially.”

“The world might be a very scary place if it were only run by Virgos.”

“Beyonce in real life is actually quite quiet and very sweet.”