Quotes from Francisco Costa

Milan, for me, is a city of discovery. You can find some amazing gardens behind some great houses; I also love finding beautiful galleries and incredible shops, but you have to explore. And the food is amazing.

People don't really go to museums in Rio. I shouldn't say it's not sophisticated, but, you know, they go to the beach.

My mom, she was unbelievable. She ran the whole town. She was like the mayor. There would be 15 people eating at our lunch table. She'd drag people from the street.

The bottom line is that red carpet helps us broaden the appeal of the brand. Calvin Klein used to be about a very specific woman, but we've dressed so many different women at awards.

I'm so not interested in gossip. It just gives me the creeps. I love the work; I love what I do. If somebody sends me an interview that has any connotation of something that's not interesting or genuine, I'm not interested. I really detach myself from it.

I've reached a certain age where I love to work. I could just live here [at the studio].

My mother was very fashion-oriented, and she started a little children's wear business that became large in this little town. She used to be able to look at a picture of an outfit and just start cutting the fabric right there.

I cannot live without art: it excites me, it challenges me, and it leads me to the next thing.

I'm inspired by many things, from landscapes to textiles. Art and architecture always influence my design process.

I think the women that we dress, the women who buy our clothes, they have a certain strength. It could be about the clothes, it could be about themselves. It's just attractive.

I don't listen to music when designing. We create in silence. I go through a torturous process because everything has to be precise and right.

I do go back to Brazil once a year. I miss my family.

I came to New York in 1986. My father didn't think it was a good idea. I didn't know how I found it, but I went to Hunter College. I had no money and I couldn't speak English.