Quotes from Giles Deacon

The effort you put into anything when you're a designer is 100% because it's all about what you get back out from it.

The reason I wanted to work with New Look was that they wanted to stick with one designer and do lots of collections a year.

Fashion designers seem the busiest people on the planet.

My longest collaborative working relationship is with Katie Grand, the editor-in-chief of 'Love' magazine. Katie's an inspiration and a sounding block. She's got such great taste.

I love London. Wherever I've lived, I've always had my flat here.

Due to the hectic, non-stop nature of my work, I'm always using my BlackBerry to stay in touch with my studio, wherever I am.

I sometimes sit and draw people on the bus, or some fantasy hybrid animal. You know, wherever the hand will lead.

It's important to offer well-thought-out pieces at lower prices.

Single-sex private schools, especially in the middle of nowhere on a bleak hill in County Durham - I don't think they make sense.

Just because something is less expensive shouldn't mean it is less well designed.

I can be very modern and experimental.

I don't like acres of faceless girls walking.

I was never one for just sitting in front of the telly.

That era of designers being away with the fairies is gone... You've got to live in the real world.

Animals. They're nice, aren't they? They're good things, animals.

I really like doing good work and working with good people - that's the thing that drives me.

People are always saying, 'You use irony,' and it's like, actually, we don't use irony: we use wit and playfulness and irreverence.

With couture, the great thing is that each piece has its own character, and you have space to explore and continue themes season after season.

People don't necessarily realise that there can be just as much work on a quiet jacket as an overblown gown.

I don't believe in a recipe for success. You have to work hard; you may not always get it right - you have to bounce back from situations, and you have to be really focused and determined. It's important to have fun as well. Work shouldn't be a torture.

For me, green is more about cycling than recycling.

I go to contemporary galleries all around the world when I can. There's always something historical and something contemporary; those are my rock references.

I love historical references.

Pretty much hated school. I never really found my footing. I just didn't like lessons.