Quotes from Claudia Schiffer

I always wanted to be less tall. When I was at school I was the same height as all of my girlfriends and then suddenly I was turning 12 and almost overnight I got really tall.

Everything has to be perfect in my business. Because when there is a mistake I am the one who is responsible.

I actually don't meet very many men because they are, I guess, afraid to approach me or think that I'm from another planet.

I've met women who have way better bodies in their 40s because they've been working on them for all these years.

It's very difficult today for girls to become supermodels. There is a lot more competition, a lot of countries in the East have opened up so there are many more models than there were in the Nineties. Now they have to compete with famous actresses but also with, say, reality stars to be on the magazine covers.

Of course there are some models who are not good, but it has been proven that some models can act. Look at Kim Basinger, Sharon Stone or Andie MacDowell, who were all models - they are really fantastic actresses.

I know one day I'll be considered too old.

I design for myself and the first question I ask is, 'Would I wear it?'

It's very difficult today for girls to become supermodels. There is a lot more competition, a lot of countries in the East have opened up so there are many more models than there were in the Nineties. Now they have to compete with famous actresses but also with, say, reality stars to be on the magazine covers.

I've learned a tremendous amount over the years by watching designers work. I now have a good understanding of what sits well on the body, not to mention the importance of a great cut and quality.

I set for myself only small goals, goals that are not that far away.