Turning Points: Ice Dreams

The noted fashion designer tells what she gained from failing to be an Olympic skater

I feel that my life has been very unusual. At 52, I can look back on it now with some degree of distance and judgment. Failure, disappointment and limitations in understanding have actually helped me cope with my life. And part of that comes from being Asian American. My background, sophisticated as it was, was also very traditionally Asian, and there was always enormous responsibility attached to anything I took on.

The turning point in my life was the realization that I was never going to be an Olympic champion in figure skating.

Skating was my life. My father, a...

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