Danielle Steel Loves Roger Vivier and Chanel, Hates San Fran Style

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This weekend's Wall Street Journal sits down with prolific author Danielle Steel—world-renowned owner of more than 6,000 pairs of Christian Louboutins—and dishes about style. Also, she totally pans the fashion scene in San Francisco:

San Francisco is a great city to raise children, but I was very happy to leave it. There's no style, nobody dresses up—you can't be chic there. It's all shorts and hiking books and Tevas—it's as if everyone is dressed to go on a camping trip. I don't think people really care how they look there; and I look like a mess when I'm there, too.

Whoa. Fashion lovers in San Fran, what say you?

On exercise:

The French don't really exercise and I'm originally French. I used to ride horses and ice skate as a child, but I would rather die than exercise today. I smoke, I drink and while I have a trainer, I avoid her by all means necessary. People in California always want to know about your workout program; I don't really know what to tell them.

On secret shopping destinations:

There are very few "secret" shopping spots left in the world today—for truly unique items, I like to go to auction houses, including my favorite—Drouot in Paris. They've been in business since 1852 and I show up a couple of times a week to bid on old books, wines, paintings, vintage clothes and garden furniture. Whether I spend a lot of money or a little, I always find something surprising.

On perfume:

Perfume is like a personal signature, which is why I like to mix my own. For years I've paired Femme by Rochas with Shalimar and love the results.

On shoes:

Shoes from Roger Vivier are my favorite right now. But I'm also partial to Blahnik, Vuitton and Zanotti. I'm surprisingly practical in much of my life, but not when it comes to my shoes. I want them chic, pretty and sexy. Vivier's pieces feel chic and very classic.

On Chanel:

Chanel is the only real couture today and this last show was the most wearable I've seen yet from Karl Lagerfeld.

On her favorite brands:

I like to shop for quality basics—Prada, Chanel, Givenchy and of course, Hermès handbags. I am very fond of what Phoebe Philo is doing at Céline and I love Jil Sander for trousers. I don't buy trends, because the pieces don't last and I wind up never wearing them. That's why I like to shop with my children; they'll always tell me the truth.

· Danielle Steel [Wall Street Journal]