I did always say I wanted to infiltrate from within. That was always my reasoning behind going into partnership with a luxury group that uses a lot of leather in their products.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Pretending that the fashion industry isn't in part based on leather would be quite stupid of me, but at the same time, there is another way of doing things - even outside of leather. I don't use PVC either, for example, because it is harmful.
Ninety percent of the people who come to my stores have no idea I don't work with leather.
I've had people say to me, 'You'll never sell handbags. You don't work with leather, and leather is luxury.' To me, it's the complete opposite: leather is everywhere - it's so cheap a material; it's so mass produced. Over 50 million animals a year are killed just for fashion. For me, it doesn't have a luxury element to it.
I'm suspicious of the idea of architects acting like business executives, brand managers, or purveyors of luxury goods.
Fashion is always seen as somewhat frivolous and self-indulgent. And I think people on the inside maybe don't see or understand how exciting and diverse a business it is.
You don't buy luxury to enter a community, but to set yourself apart from others.
People have told me about organized crime in the fashion industry, but I can't talk about that. I'm looking to stay alive.
I'm not one who goes to a lot of fashion shows or tries to infiltrate that world, really.
The industry has been very warm and welcoming, especially since I am an outsider.
Forget luxury; as a great company you have to keep evolving.