There are always people who want to be in fashion but want to get to the top really quickly. It sounds like you just worked really hard and were very persistent about everything. Do you have any advice in terms of that? What’s the most important thing for succeeding in this business?
Patience, which I don’t have. First of all, it’s a huge business and you should take it seriously, but not seriously to a level– because it’s only fashion, you’re not curing cancer. If one thing doesn’t happen exactly the way you want that day, turn it down, it’s okay. It’s not an open-heart surgery. With your team, the people you work with, you always deliver your best but it’s okay. Step back, read a lot. Because that spurs ideas and creativity. And that’s the way you step back and find new ways of dealing with it. That’s what I do.

What magazines do you love?
Now I have to read the blogs. I love T, I love French Vogue, I love British Vogue, I read of course all of the American publications, for inspiration fashion wise and otherwise its Italian Vogue, Numero, it’s different inspiration. You know also need to know what’s happening in the world. Just be as much as possible aware of information. It’s tough because now you’re bombarded with it and you still have to do your job. This and travel helps me to step back–then your eyes are always open. To be on top of trends is the most important thing.

Where have you seen lately that you’re really inspired by?
A few months ago I was in Brazil and Buenos Ares. Everywhere in Brazil and in Buenos Ares is the best men’s fashion ever. And The Webster men’s store of course!—and its true!–but…wow.

I really want to go so badly!
I’m planning a trip to Zanzibar which is going to be a different kind of inspiration. When you are fortunate enough to be able to disconnect from the pace of New York…that’s a piece of advice I would say. You need to feed the creativity. Even though you’re not a creative person, you have to make it approachable to the press. It’s like going to the luxury sale store, and you have a sales person who doesn’t know what’s current in New York, where is the new exhibition, what is the new restaurant. You’re selling me something luxurious that’s part of a lifestyle and you’re not able to talk about that lifestyle and it’s bothering me.

So you have to be well-rounded. Super helpful.