“Now is the most exciting time in fashion. Women are controlling their destiny now, the consumer is more knowledgeable, and I have to be better every single day.”

The most important beauty is not that with which you were born, but the beauty of character which grows through a woman’s life and maybe never stops growing.

A fragrance is like a signature, so that even after a woman leaves the room, her fragrance should reveal she’s been there.

I am not interested in shock tactics. I just want to make beautiful clothes.

Oh, the terrible struggle that I have had against sleep so often of late; the pain of the sleeplessness, or the pain of the fear of sleep, and with such unknown horror as it has for me!

There is always an emotional element to anything that you make.

When I went to see Mrs. Clinton and we talk about the inaugural dress I ask her what would you like to achieve with this particular dress? And she said to me what I would like is – that when I walk into the room and people will look at me and say wow you look great.

Love. Be curious. Always try to do your best.

He is racist, he’s homophobic, he’s xenophobic and he’s a sexist. He’s the perfect Republican candidate. [California Democratic Party chairman about Pat Buchanan.]

I’m a misunderstood genius.” “What’s misunderstood?” “Nobody thinks I’m a genius.

Excess is not really something I consider a bad thing; especially when you are talking about living.

The flag represents all the values and the liberties Americans have and enjoy everyday.

War subjects itself to transportation in a way that we find acceptable.

When I leave a room, it’s gonna be footprints of funk wherever I stepped, because I’m a soul-funk crusader.

A strong man can handle a strong woman. A weak man will say she has an attitude problem

As far as preference between fall and spring collections, I have none that I prefer to design. With fall you have a lot more items, but of course I am from the Dominican Republic, so I love the warm weather.

If you want to establish an international presence you can’t do so from New York. You need the consecration of Paris.

I think talented people are priceless. And I think people that are knowledgeable and experienced – and I think there’s a balance of new talent and experience, which makes, I think, Estee Lauder really special.