It's a love-and-hate relationship with New York. Much like Hong Kong, it's expensive, crowded, the weather is not so nice. But New York is home, and I love New York.
I truly find inspiration everywhere. I always tell students, and young people starting out, that the single most important skill, next to listening, is to pay attention. You never know where inspiration will strike.
I'm probably one of the most fearful persons in the world, but not when it comes to getting dressed.
I recognize that, to someone who doesn't know my history, maybe I seem like this guy who gets dressed up for the Internet.
I think Hong Kong has always had this tradition of custom-made suits, which I've never done but love the idea of.
There are so many more people in Tokyo than in New York, but it's pristine. It's so organized, and yet the address system is in complete chaos.
There's something about the U.S. and Japan: two opposite ends of the planet, two completely different languages, and yet, especially in menswear, they share this kind of idealized way of dressing that is so close to what we do in America.
In Japan, the attention to detail in customer service is an experience that is unlike anywhere else. It's really quite special. I think everyone who's interested in fashion would do well to take a trip to learn about presentation and the way the merchandise is handed to you. These are skills that no one really thinks about.
I'll never forget my transition from pleated pants to plain front pants. It was the late '80s. I couldn't get rid of those pleated pants fast enough.
Everyone looks better in clothes that skim the body. Items that fit properly make you look better than wearing something oversize.
I have a reputation that was sort of built on suits and boots, so I'm a huge fan of the sartorial equivalent of a mullet, where you're business on top and party on the bottom.