Suzy Menkes Quotes

People writing about me have said that I've influenced a lot of people, and there are some artists who have credited me with influencing them.

A young painter who cannot liberate himself from the influence of past generations is digging his own grave.

Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.

When I was 17, I met many artists, and it started to become this conversation with artists out of which all of my exhibitions grew.

Certain things you learn through exposure. It's really the elements which make up any artist. You really learn by example. You learn by influence. And some people have a huge impact on you, and that's how you become the artist you are.

I don't pay that much attention to sales figures or awards. To me, the big question is: 'Did you influence the next generation?' That's my goal.

Just like zillions of children, album covers educated and informed me, and certainly did I later transpose organically, rather than by intent, those principles both in fashion design and photography.

Some amazing records have this power to leave you with inspiration; you're left with the urge to write something. And some records are totally overwhelming, because they are so good, they burn the bridges behind them.

So much of what we do as artists is a combination of personal experience and imagination, and how that all creeps into your work is not so linear.

I am constantly being told that I have been a big influence for many people, including other musicians.

There's always the influence of music, film, art and the other things that drive me. I'm usually inspired by my environment and whatever is making me happy or mad.

My inspirations come from everywhere. It's important to look at everything and anything. I think what I create is serious fashion, but I don't want to keep my focus on that. You have to look at a lot of different things. I mean, people are always surprised when they find out that my favorite show is 'RuPaul's Drag Race.'

I want the power that comes from expressing myself creatively and putting something back into the world. Being someone's muse would be flattering, but it could get old fast.

Sometimes I'm more inspired by stuff that tells a story and less inspired by stuff that's not a natural extension of what I'm already doing.

The truth of it is that every singer out there with songs on the radio is raising the next generation, so make your words count.

For our Spring 2015 collection, I was inspired by the spirit of the artist Francoise Gilot.

People always ask what my inspiration is, and it's never something that's easily explained.

It's intimidating any time to have a piece of art that someone else created, and that person says, 'Let's see what you created based on what I created.'

I was born and raised on 'Singin' in the Rain.' It's in my work. It's in me.

AWe musicians can influence, and are responsible to influence, human hearts when we perform. We have to touch them.

There are so many artists that have inspired me.

I don't think I am avant-garde. I made a lot of creations and created harmony with my fabrics, but I was not like Balenciaga, for example, although he was, of course, a great inspiration.

I want to make myself better and get working with some of my biggest influences and make the best music I can.

We musicians often get inspiration from films and books or photographs, not only by music.

Lou Reed's spirit and the way he did things was so important. Him and his music mean so much to me as the years go by.