I sleep in linen sheets. I used to buy them in the same shop the Pope bought his, but I'm so depressed because that shop in Milan has closed down. I get out of bed and run to my shower. I'll have three showers or baths a day, more in summer - I even have showers in my factories in Milan. Then I have Spanish coffee, toast and orange juice.Today I'm wearing a cotton shirt under my cashmere sweater with a suit, and sensible brown rubber-soled lace-ups which I bought in Paris 20 years ago. I don't like men's shoes at all - they're so boring.

Every woman of power and influence has been hooked on shoes: Josephine Bonaparte, Eva Peron, Marie Antoinette, all had wonderful shoemakers creating things for them. Shoes are transforming. When you put on a pair of shoes, especially high heels, you walk differently, you feel differently, you become somebody else. Today I see ladies in America wearing mink coats and trainers. They make me want to cry.

Shoes just happened for me. I have a photo of myself when I was just over a year old, which my father took. I'm wearing nothing but one shoe on one foot and I'm clutching the other. Genetically, perhaps, I was inspired by my mother. Between the wars an old shoemaker taught her how to make shoes; she made them with wooden platforms. My dog, poor thing, was my first victim. I'd make him Grecian things, with crisscross ribbons. He used to lie on his back and stick his paws up in the air waiting for me. I'd also make little booties for the cats from silver sweet papers. I was always particular about my shoes. First I wore Start-rite shoes with buttons, which I hated. For my first communion, I insisted on wearing linen shoes. Later, going around museums, I'd always look at the feet of statues. I still do.

When I was a young man I wanted to do movie sets, and I went to New York, where I met Mrs Diana Vreeland from Vogue. She said to me: 'The imagination you put into your accessories is extraordinary. Why don't you do shoes?' I came to England and that's how it started. At first I was involved with every customer. Sadly, not any more. I never talk about my clients but I will say that Princess Diana was divine. And Raquel Welch has the most beautiful feet.

If I'm in Milan, I'll be working from early until 10pm. I wish I was always sketching, but so much time is spent dealing with never-ending problems: buying amber, pearls, everything for my shoes. I don't have millions of assistants, so it's all down to the girls in the factories, who hand-sew everything, and that's how I'd like it to be until I drop dead.

I travel so much, I spend a lot of time in ugly airports. Twenty years ago, you went on a plane to be pampered; now you're treated like cattle. Of course I travel business class, otherwise you die. It's the same dirty air, so you always get flu on bloody planes. In America I do lots of personal appearances. At the start it was mortifying, but now I enjoy it. I sign underneath my shoes and books and talk to women who buy my shoes. I'm like a pop star. I was so thrilled by the episode of Sex and the City when Carrie got so upset because she was mugged for her Manolos. What a divine conversation!

I'll often take the train to London. I try and find the most quiet carriage, because so many people are talking on their mobiles. I can work anywhere, so I bring a canvas bag which has my pencils, a notepad and an apple. Lunch is nonexistent. I eat sweets throughout the day, and three or four apples. I was a chocoholic until last year. I was hooked. In the evening I enjoy northern Italian dishes.

Sex is not my driving force; I don't like living with people and I've been celibate for ever. I wouldn't say I don't like sex, but I prefer to talk on the phone. My driving force is to get a feeling of total well-being from doing something I enjoy; it could be something as simple as arranging a bunch of flowers. I'm not into money; if I was, I'd have sold my soul and my name years ago.

After work I may go to a Chinese doctor who helps me with my back. Then I rush to my refuge, which could be a wonderful book or movie or a conversation on the telephone. I don't really watch television. Then I have a huge bath and wash my hair.Eventually I get to sleep, and dream nonstop. But no, no, no! I do not dream about shoes.