Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954). Memory of Oceania. Nice-Cimiez, Hôtel Régina, summer 1952–early 1953. Gouache on paper, cut and pasted, and charcoal on paper mounted on canvas, 9′ 4″ x 9′ 4 7/8″ (284.4 x 286.4 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Mrs. Simon Guggenheim Fund. © 2014 Succession H. Matisse, Paris/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

When I was first studying art, Matisse was my master.  In fact, a print of this painting hangs next to me in my office as I sit here writing this.  The thing that holds his paintings together is color—and one professor told me that if I didn't understand that, I'd never be a art historian.  This is something I have translated into all that I do, especially with styling.  My design process starts with imagery from art. I never start with fashion. I create a sense of place and emotion, then envision a muse.