Q&A Archive – May 14, 2007
Dear Michael: I'm a 14 year old boy that loves fashion, and you are one of my biggest inspirations. I would like to know what I need to do to become the next big fashion designer?
Expose yourself to as much fashion as possible. Read every magazine, look at Style.com, spend time shopping and checking out the most fabulous clothes, and sketch ideas whenever they come to you. Slowly, over time, you'll find your point of view and your style will come more and more into focus.
Michael, I'm 47 years old and a working mom, what would be the perfect outfit to wear during top management meetings?
A sleek, fitted sheath dress to the knee worn with a soft cardigan or jacket over it gives you a sense of polish with a feminine edge.
When choosing models for one of your shows, what do you prefer or look for in a female model?
I love seeing a variety of types on the runway - from the gamine with a more petite frame to sexy and curvy to athletic and strong. Seeing different models who add their own personality to the clothes is more exciting to me than looking at them on one type of girl where they sometimes start to look like mannequins.
Dear Michael: First, I'd like to say that you are my favorite designer. I love your line! When is it appropriate to start wearing white denim and white shoes? Can the two be paired together?
White denim jeans can look great for all four seasons - worn with sandals and a colorful tunic for summer or a camel twinset and luggage colored loafers for fall. Think about pairing them with a chunky ivory turtleneck, boots and a shearling coat for winter or a great black jacket and black pumps for spring. White shoes are a warm weather item because of the practicality. If you live in Florida or Arizona they can be a year round item. If not, think about keeping your whites to spring and summer and resort destinations. White jeans and white shoes together are a hot weather classic.
