Veery: What designers do you respect?
Geoffrey Beene: I admire Jean Charles de Castelbajac very much. He’s French and I think a very very very modern designer. I admire Issey Miyake who worked for me at one time for his technique. I don’t think the clothes are modern but the technique is. I like Ronaldus Shamask in New York; I think he’s trying very much to express himself as an individual. I like some of the young designers who are just sort of wild but trying to assert themselves. I admire anyone who tries to be an individual.
 
Veery, 1991

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Veery: What disappoints you today about the present designing world?
Geoffrey Beene: In America, it’s more that there is a tendency amongst designers and amongst women to dress more alike than as individuals. I respect individuals but even amongst the masses there are certain things that you want to one’s own fit - they have to be - that’s looking in a mirror and recognizing what’s great about you and what’s not so great and dressing accordingly.



Veery: Do you interest yourself in another field to bring your designing an added dimension?
Geoffrey Beene: Yes. I collect a lot of art, in particular the Cubist School. I think it was that period of this century that was the most creative. The Vienna Werkstatte fascinates me, the Bauhaus, all that period of really explosive creative ideas. I buy paintings, and I collect them. I also collect Art Deco furniture of the best nature. I go to all art exhibitions. I buy practically every catalog that exists. It’s constant exposure to the visual arts.



Veery: What’s the best thing someone could say about your work?
Geoffrey Beene: Original.



Veery, 1991