Michael Bastian Quotes

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Michael Bastian

Profession : Designer

Birth : October 13, 1965

When you think mid-seventies, you think of Studio 54, but there was a whole other thing going on. Where I was, it was more deep-woods preppy. Real-guy preppy.

Michael Bastian

Designer pricing should hurt, but it shouldn't kill you. You wince when you hand over your AmEx, but once you get it home, you never regret it. You divide it by how many days you're using it, and suddenly it becomes affordable.

Michael Bastian

I once had this idea that I wanted to make the perfect boxer short that's not too long, not too short, with pearl buttons, made from real shirting fabric. They were coming in at $215. Well, not even the richest guy in the world is going to pay more than $125 for his underwear.

Michael Bastian

You get to a certain age, and you learn what looks good on you.

Michael Bastian

Just being out in the world gives me ideas.

Michael Bastian

A shirt's not just a shirt. It's the experience of what goes into that shirt.

Michael Bastian

The beauty of men's shoppers is that they're super loyal.

Michael Bastian

As a group, the fashion industry has been one of the strongest in the effort to fight HIV and AIDS. There are many groups dedicated to fighting this disease; GMHC's Fashion Forward is just one of them. But I think everyone in this industry fights it in their own way.

Michael Bastian

One of the weird things about being a designer is guessing what the world will want about a year in advance of when they will want it. It becomes almost a psychological test in a way - how do I feel now and how do I want to feel then.

Michael Bastian

When I began designing my Spring '13 collection, it wasn't even Spring '12 yet. Snow was actually still on the ground in New York, but I knew I wanted this particular spring season to be freer, more colorful, easier, more about feeling good, and I wanted there to be a sexier feeling than we've been known for in the past.

Michael Bastian

I've always had this thing for swimming pools - I think they're much sexier and far more glamorous than the beach, in a way. You dress differently when you're spending a day at an amazing pool than you would dress for the beach.

Michael Bastian

I'd like to think my brand shares some of those characteristics we like to think of as classically American - a certain straightforwardness, honesty, a sense of humor, inclusiveness, practicality - all those great Yankee traits. And I don't mean the baseball team.

Michael Bastian

It's easy to get wrapped up in the season-to-season business, but to have real longevity in this field, you've got to always maintain your point of view and what makes your brand unique. Your business is always going to have ups and downs, but there needs to be a certain consistency.

Michael Bastian

I consistently go back to myself: What am I looking for or wanting to wear myself, right now, that I don't already have? I always figure if I'm looking for it, a lot of guys are.

Michael Bastian

Good clothes are good clothes, and they don't need whales and tricks and too many jokes. Sometimes you just need something to wear.

Michael Bastian

I've always envied Thomas Jefferson's bed at Monticello. It's in a tiny alcove, bound by walls at the head and foot.

Michael Bastian

I get my best ideas in that state of suspended consciousness just before sleep.

Michael Bastian

I stay in a lot of hotels, and the best part of travel is getting back to my own bed.

Michael Bastian

I never doubted my place in the world.

Michael Bastian

Great ideas are very much 'of the moment,' and endlessly mulling them over just takes up too much of your brain space and might block your next great idea. Act on it, give it away, or move on.

Michael Bastian