My mother inspired me to treat others as I would want to be treated regardless of age, race or financial status.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to build some kind of lifestyle brand that was preppy and cool.

We had incense and rock'n'roll posters, and we sold records and rolling papers. People could just, like, hang out. We had a cool vibe going.

I think it is really important to have a sense of business. As a designer you can get so wrapped up in the design and fashion side that you forget the business side.

'The Cut' is going to give someone the opportunity of a lifetime and help that person achieve his or her dreams.

We are really living the American dream, to be a successful brand in the States and in Europe and to steep ourselves in our heritage. But we do it with a sense of humor. We don't take ourselves too seriously in fashion.

I had eight brothers and sisters. Every Christmas my younger brother Bobby would wake up extra early and open everybody's presents - everybody's - so by the time the rest of us got up, all the gifts were shredded, ribbons off, torn open and thrown aside.