• Interviewed: Barney’s Simon Doonan, designer Naeem Khan, Cosmetics CEO Susan Posnick, Neiman Marcus’ Ken Downing, producer Jan Strimple

By Laurie Montoya

Marcel Proust, the French literary giant, has long been associated with a questionnaire that was a fad among the aristocracy of his time. The quiz was a series of thought-provoking questions intended to reveal the character of the participant. What ultimately became known as the Proust Questionnaire has evolved into a creative means to pick the brains of celebrities and other famous folks. A modern-day version of it appears every month in Vanity Fair magazine.

Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Shopperati has created a variation on the theme: The Proustian Fashion Questionnaire.

Here, then, are the deep (and whimsical) thoughts of five players in the fashion industry.

Simon Doonan is the creative director of Barneys New York, the writer of the New York Observer’s “Simon Says” column and the bestselling author of several books including Wacky Chicks and Eccentric Glamour. He’s been described as a “modern day Noel Coward with a dash of Auntie Mame and Liberace.” Still curious? Go to simondoonan.net.

Q: What do you regard as the lowest depth of fashion misery?

A: Conformity. I hate to see people dressing alike or dressing down because they are nervous or inhibited about expressing themselves.

Q: What is your idea of fashion Nirvana?

A: Style diversity. I love to see people going over the top and making a personal statement, whether it’s Quacker Factory or Balenciaga.

Q: What fashion faults are you most indulgent of?

A: I hate the whole concept of fashion faults or faux-pas. If a chunky gal struts around wearing butt-crack jeans then she should be admired and applauded for her confidence and self-esteem.

Q: Who is your favorite character (or characters) in fashion fiction?

A: Miss Havisham in Great Expectations. She was the first proponent of deconstruction and shabby chic.

Q: Who is your favorite character (or characters) in fashion history?

A: Nancy Cunard, the crazy Brit 1920s heiress who wore ivory bracelets and broke every taboo in the book. If you have never heard of her then Google her image right now!

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