Nina Garcia

My passion for fashion originated in my mother's closet. She was a woman who loved fashion. She enjoyed dressing up a lot, and she had a closet that was like her sacred room that belonged only to her. She wouldn't let us go in and play there very often.

Here's the thing: I love what I do for the magazine, and I love what I do on television. When you do the things that you love, it's not bad. It's about being very organized.

I love 'Project Runway' because I can really be of help to an industry and I can be supportive to designers.

I grew up with a fashion-obsessed mother and an older sister, so there was a lot of fashion in my house. The first thing I remember owning was a Pierre Cardin jumpsuit when I was 9 or 10; of course I didn't actually buy it, but I fell in love with it.

If you invest in something a little more expensive with longevity, you'll use it more.

Your wardrobe should complement your skill set, never detract - or distract - from your assets.

When I come home, I need to feel instantly disconnected. In the rest of my life, I feel overstimulated. Here, I want things to be serene and unfussy, full of objects I love - but not too many of them.

Serving jury duty is a fascinating little slice of life, with its motley crew of personalities.

I've had to adapt my wardrobe to my various roles, both at the office, as a mom, and for television. When I shop for the season I look for pieces that will suit every facet of my daily life, not just one single occasion.

Taking stock of what you own, when done correctly and thoroughly, helps dampen the urge to shop frivolously.

Fashion is just an interpretation of the culture around us.

I think my Latino culture has equipped me with a different point of view than the rest of my counterparts, and seeing things from a different angle has helped me a lot. I feel very proud of my culture, of my Latino heritage.