But couldn’t your clothing be accused of casting a pretty harsh judgment
on women who don’t have the bodies to pull it off?
[Laughs.] They’re definitely a gay man’s ideal of a woman, which is why
I work with women—like my creative consultants, Vanessa Traina and
Melanie Huynh, and my mom, who’s also the CEO of Altuzarra. Because they
can be like, Yeah, this dress is great, but I can’t wear a bra with it.
Do you feel that the socialites who like your dresses have put you on
the map?
Whether it’s Lauren Santo Domingo or Mary J Blige or Carine Roitfeld, it
would be dumb of me to say that famous people wearing my clothes doesn’t
do anything for the brand. Let me say this, though: I’m aware that many
people are not wearing them because they like them but because they
think it’s what’s hot right now. I’m comfortable with the idea that I’m
the flavor of the moment and that in a couple of years people might not
think I’m cool anymore.
What flavor is that?
Maybe the French-export flavor—although there are some very un-French
things about me. For example, I hate cheese; it’s moldy and disgusting.
And I don’t do bone marrow. And I don’t eat oysters.
When did you become aware of the difference between clothing and
fashion?
In high school. I was really unpopular, so a lot of it came from wanting
to change my social status. Then I discovered Tom Ford through the Gucci
advertising. It was really about image more than clothing.
Do you think it’s better to have bad style or no style at all?
No style. I don’t think everyone should be interested in clothing.
Are you a good dresser?
Not really. One of my biggest pet peeves is well-dressed designers. If
you spend that much time thinking about your own clothes, you’re not
spending enough time thinking about what you’re designing.
What do you feel you need to get better at?
I’m a poor communicator because I’m terrified of confrontation. I can be
miserable in a relationship for months without showing anything, then
very abruptly break up with the guy over the phone.
What do you think a psychiatrist might say about that?
I think it’s very hard for me to feel loved.
Is it easier to feel that your clothes are loved?
Exactly. Which is probably why designers become designers.
