Azzedine Alaia Quotations

I learned French in Tunis, along with Arabic. I also learned French history. I knew the entire history of the kings of France. And I was fascinated by Versailles.

Even if I was in prison, I could be free in my head. I can adapt easily.

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

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.

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

I don't wear perfume, and I don't like the air to be too saturated with scents.

As a child, I was raised with my grandmother, alongside all my cousins, and the kitchen was always full.

Fashion will last forever. It will exist always. It will exist in its own way in each era. I live in the moment. It's interesting to know the old methods. But you have to live in the present moment.

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

Who will remember Anna Wintour in the history of fashion? No one.

There is a sensuality about fabric. I think all materials should be inviting when they touch the skin. When I watch children stroking their mothers clothes, I feel that I have succeeded.

There was a woman in Tunisia called Madame Pinot. She was a midwife and had helped in the birth of my siblings and me. I assisted her. I helped women give birth to a lot of babies when I was very young.

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. And 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 like black, because for me it is a very happy color.

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

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

In an ordinary suit and tie, I'd look like a little macho. I'd be ridiculous.

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.

Women must know themselves better than anyone. If you have ugly legs, wear long dresses. If you have long, great legs, show them.

If I don't have a model in front of me, I don't have an idea.

As I said many times, the fashion world, its system, can be disturbing.

Ballet costumes are easier that opera because they are designed for movement.

I am very curious. Every day, I say: 'What am I going to learn today, and whom am I going to meet?'

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

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 love American girls. They're audacious. They put more outrageous things on their bodies than anybody.

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

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.

It's important to make women feel confident, because I think they are more important than men.

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

'Vogue' remains while its fashion editors come and go.

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

I am always in doubt; I am never sure of myself.

I never followed fashion. It's women who have dictated my conduct.

The danger is we're losing sight of what women really want to wear.

Who can really say who invents something first in fashion?

I put myself on the same level as everyone else around me - from the directrice to the workman, everyone. Except my pets - they are the Kings; you must treat them like royalty.

A human being is not a machine. Especially when it comes to creating.

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

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

Anna Wintour doesn't deal with pictures; she is just doing PR and business, and she scares everybody.

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

Bill Cunningham he knows fashion better than anybody.

I used to spend my nights oversewing dresses for a local dressmaker in order to pay for my school equipment.

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

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

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

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'm working 24 hours a day. I have had a house in Tunisia for 20 years, and I never have time to go because there are collections, fittings.

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

You have to take things with a lot of laughter. I laugh with everyone; this way, I will be able to die happy.

Beyonce is a beautiful, elegant woman who is also a wonderful dancer. And her voice is sublime. Just like her husband, Jay-Z, Beyonce has real talent. They are both the kind of truly great artist who will be remembered by history. Their child will be lucky to have such talented parents.

I want to create a foundation, like a maison, in my home in the Marais. I am going to leave everything there. I am only passing through. I'm not a proprietor of anything, even if I have homes and things.

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.

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.

You know Sarkozy offered me the Legion d'honneur medal? I refused. People said I refused because I don't like Sarkozy, but that's ridiculous. I refused because I don't like decorations - except on women.

The foundation of beauty is the body.

Perfection is never achieved, so you need to go on working.

I am never sure that anythings good enough. Something that is good today will not be good tomorrow.

I make clothes, women make fashion.

When I see beautiful clothes, I want to keep them, preserve them... Clothes, like architecture and art, reflect an era.