Quotes from Nina Garcia

I grew up with a fashion-obsessed mother and an older sister, so there was a lot of fashion in my house. The first thing I remember owning was a Pierre Cardin jumpsuit when I was 9 or 10; of course I didn't actually buy it, but I fell in love with it.

I don't have a development deal, but the one thing I have learned is never say never. I will consider things as they come.

In Colombia, where I was born and raised, women like my mother considered their appearance and personal grooming a matter of principle. There was never an occasion where she didn't show up looking picture-perfect.

It's interesting because we live in a country where the obesity is so enormous. And then the reflection on the runways is girls that are so thin. So there's two extremes that are almost like a reflection of themselves, and it's very hard to be in the middle with girls that are just healthy.

My six favorite textures for fall and winter are leather, fur, tweed, mohair, velvet and wool. I love that they are all as warm as they are fashionable and easy to incorporate into your wardrobe.

I'm all about the high heel; I think it's the sexiest accessory ever made, including lingerie.

I think New York is the center of fashion, even though L.A. has a lot of heritage and the glamour of Hollywood.

Invest in a couple of really good things - a great, classic coat; a good pair of shoes; and a timeless bag - then fill in the gaps with lower-priced pieces.

Style is really very personal. It's kind of timeless. Style is really about how you put yourself together. It's something very personal.

Many of my friends and colleagues are in the public eye, so they have to pay close attention to what they wear. But every woman needs to stay on her toes in this era of cell-phone cameras and Facebook.

I'm really looking to reach any woman who's interested in refining and embracing her personal style.

What I loved about my partnership with 'Quarterly' was the fact that it bridges the online world with the real world. Sometimes we see these two worlds as separate entities, and to be able to establish a bridge is very exciting.

I'm very classic and structural. I love clean lines and interesting, modern details. But I'm all about being streamlined - less is more.

I'm a real believer in dressing tone-on-tone. I'm not saying you need to dress black. Dress just one color so the colors are not breaking your silhouette.

Fashion is just an interpretation of the culture around us.

If you invest in something a little more expensive with longevity, you'll use it more.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good cardigan too, but a jacket - especially one with sharp shoulders, interesting buttons, or a unique collar - always looks the most fashion-forward.

If my closet were burning, it'd be my collection of jackets I would save - they always make me feel pulled-together.

I'll admit it, the grunge trend doesn't really speak to me. I get why other people like it, but it's just not my style. Don't get me wrong, I love layering, but I like it when it is done with a little more polish and sophistication.

There really are so many lines of work that you can join that don't have to only be design. And that was one that particularly interested me a lot, because the editors could appreciate all the trends, all the designs and all the work of the designers.

I've said this so many times, but I keep coming back to this: Trends come and go. Own them and make them your own. If it doesn't feel right, then don't feel like you need to dress a certain way just to be trendy.

Serving jury duty is a fascinating little slice of life, with its motley crew of personalities.

Like most people, I've grown a lot more sophisticated in my style choices. I know myself and what suits me better now than I did when I was much younger and feel more comfortable in my own skin.

My nightmare of nightmares is being overdressed for a casual event - I've done it! You have to have a real sense of what you want to communicate.