The personality questionnaire made famous by Marcel Proust has been a favorite lure for information since the nineteenth century. Now, in a thoroughly modern revisiting, Assouline has created a series of inquiries geared toward deciphering the stylistic predilections of the responders and has corralled 21 designers (from Alber Elbaz to Valentino) into giving their answers. The wildly varying ripostes of these fashion insiders are collected in the publisher's simply titled volume, "Fashion Questionnaire." The replies range from witty and clever to vehement and earnest, and they make for an interesting look at the tastes of an elite group of influencers. We've excerpted some of our favorites, below, but you can also pick up a copy of the book ($34.95, Assouline.com), which includes blank questionnaires for you and your fellow trend-setters to fill out.

Your favorite color

The color caught in sparkling eyes [John Galliano]

The most creative designer

GOD—she was such an efficient innovator [Isabel Toledo]

Your jewel/jewelry designer fetish

A woman is the greatest jewel of them all—the greatest diamonds lose their sparkle next to a woman in love [John Galliano]



What is your present state of mind?

Flying…as always [Roberto Cavalli]



Your symbol of high fashion

Russian sable bathrobe coat [Michael Kors]



The "look" you prefer in a man

Good manners! [Karl Lagerfeld]



Your historical muse or icon

Eve [Oscar de la Renta]



Your favourite decade in fashion

1410-1420 [Jean-Charles de Castelbajac]



Your fashion motto

"The superfluous is always such a necessity"—Voltaire [Carolina Herrera]



Bonus:

This hilariously adorable self-portrait of Alber Elbaz (above), which introduces his responses.