Where do you look for new ideas or voices in fashion?
My phone.
How essential is heritage and/or a distinctive identity in contributing to a brand’s success?
I guess that depends on the amount of finance surrounding it…
What is something that you believe will change over the course of the year?
My hair; I'm growing it.
What do you enjoy most about Paris Fashion Week®?
It’s always nice to reconnect with old friends — to see who got Botox, Ozempic, gossip and share info.
How would you define elegant in a contemporary context?
Abraham Ortuño Perez (of Abra).
There seems to be more overlap between fashion/entertainment and fashion/sports than ever. Thoughts?
Zero interest in either of them. The celebrity culture is beyond boring and vulgar at this point. Stop. Then sports, who cares? I guess I’m still recovering from never being picked to either basketball team as a kid.
Do trends still matter?
Well yes, I guess, but everything moves so fast and is oversaturated, it’s hard to hold onto one particular thing. Do your own thing. It’ll fit in somewhere, somehow.
What is your favourite way/word to compliment someone’s style?
Delicious.
Tell us something surprising about how you got to where you are today?
I‘ve never set out a course – simply followed the path that appeared in front of me and then fully committed. I only ever studied professionally to become a ballet dancer. The rest I faked ‘til I owned it. Worked pretty well so far…
From the early days of your career, what has changed and what has stayed the same?
My face changed quite a bit, I must say; yet my shoe size remains the same.
In what ways might you hope to have an impact on fashion this year?
I am in the midst of starting a new magazine. It has been some 25 years after Dutch magazine, and I think the current state of global chaos created a serious case of anarchy within me. Anarchy not as in me running around naked with a black flag burning, but anarchy as a sense of energy and creativity. I am very inspired at this point and ready for BIG change.
Can you share a mantra that speaks to this moment in time?
Miuccia Prada’s quote: “I got into fashion because I was against everything.” That sounds pretty obnoxious, yet very inspiring, refreshing and delicious!
This interview has been lightly edited.
