Confess for Success: Fashion Designer Tricia Hoke Meets Proust

In the weeks leading up to our fashion spectacle Frock Out, each of our twelve designers will be featured here with their responses to the infamous Proust Questionnaire. Marcel Proust (1871-1922), French novelist, critic and essayist, believed that people must know and understand themselves before they can know or understand others. His clever and insightful answers to a list of subjective questions (a popular social entertainment at the time) illustrate how the questionnaire helps reveal to people their true selves and the inner personalities of those around them.

Tricia Hoke produces her work independently, developing a signature collection just once a year. At the heart of each collection is a dedication to fashion as art. Transformable clothing mixed with various themes and inspirations push her work beyond trends, producing timeless, unique pieces with true value.

Currently living in Denver, Colorado, Tricia has worked as an independent designer since 2000. The recipient of two nominations for the Rising Star in Fashion award from Fashion Group International, she has participated in many fashion shows and competitions and she has supported, benefited from, and loved the independent fashion community. Keep up with Tricia's scheduled events and view her work at www.triciahoke.com   

What is your greatest fear?

Boredom.

What is your current state of mind?

Torn between lists of things-to-do and sipping lapsang tea while browsing fashion blogs. 

What is your favorite occupation?

Draping fabric on my mannequin, drawing, and looking at fashion blogs.

What historical figure do you most identify with?

Abraham Lincoln -- ever since a book report in grade school. The fact that he took six cents that a customer overpaid, six miles out of his way (or something like that) is a great lesson in honesty.

Which living person do you most admire?

Belgian designer Martin Margiela.

Who is your favorite fictional hero?

Maison Martin Margiela -- yeah, well, you never know.

What is your most treasured possession?

Today, it is my bright green, skin tight Cheap Mondays. Ask me again tomorrow.

When and where were you happiest?

Happiness is relative; I like having to strive for it.

What is your most obvious characteristic?

I'm totally weird; I am told this on a daily basis. I really still do not believe it.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Self-doubt, indecision after a decision.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Taking our entire living room for my studio.

What do you consider the most over-rated virtue?

Virginity.

Which words or phrases do you most over-use?

"Dude." I can't help it; I'd probably say it to the queen.

Where would you like to live?

Paris, New York, Toronto, San Francisco, Denver -- I keep changing my mind.

What is the quality you most admire in a man?

Honesty.

What is the quality you most admire in a woman?

Conviction.

How would you like to die?

Very old, surrounded by people I love, with insurance, and on a lot of morphine so I do not feel the pain. You know, do it right.

What is your motto?

Do not say what you want to do. Do it and talk about it later.

Tricia Hoke joins eleven other talented Denver designers for Frock Out: Sideshow on Thursday, November 18. Tickets and Info.