AZZEDINE ALAIA

I have total confidence in Beaute Prestige International to accompany me in creating a perfume that interprets my work and my world.

I'm happier about my friends than I am about my work. I still have a long way to go with work. My friends, that's the one thing I'm sure about.

I am never sure that anything's good enough. Something that is good today will not be good tomorrow.

There are certain people I am allergic to. I even intervene when I don't like a customer; I rush in and check all the names. If I don't like them, I don't take them.

I even do my ready-to-wear samples like couture.

My father could be very strict, but very fair. His father was the same. We all respected my grandfather; he was the head of the clan. Every morning, we all had to say good morning and kiss his hand. But not me. I jumped on his lap and bit him.

My obsession is to make women beautiful. When you create with that in mind, things can't go out of fashion.

I've been wearing Chinese clothes since I was 14. I can't wear a suit. I'm small, and when I put on a suit, it's not possible.

In modelling, it's very hard to keep in touch with the people you knew when you started.

The foundation of beauty is the body.

I had used the stretch materials for years to shape the inside of garments I made for private clients. Then I just started using them on their own.

I have been offered the highest paid contracts in the world. I refused them all. It's not my thing. I don't want to cheat people.

Karl Lagerfeld never touched a pair of scissors in his life.

I take it to heart that, for example, there aren't enough funds for AIDS research, but people pay 20 times the value of an item of clothing.

I want to speak directly with a star, not her stylist.

As for success, I don't care for it. It is a fragile thing.

I would rather die than see my face in a car advertisement.

When I was growing up, I never heard the word 'racism.' It was only in Paris I encountered that.

A woman is like an actress: she's always onstage.

When you have one idea per year, it's already a miracle!

I work for women. I only think for them. If I didn't like women, I wouldn't do this job.

If you're sad about what you see in the mirror when you wake up every morning, you must change it.

I'm always telling young designers to take the time to surround themselves with women.

I think women should be seductive, not triste. There's enough sadness in life now without making women look sad, too.

The present fashion system is too hard - there are too many collections. The designers have no time to think! Money is too important. Schedules are too crazy.