It wasn’t until Emmy Award-winning journalist Alina Cho arrived at CBS Sunday Morning – the most-watched program of its kind in the U.S. – that the seventh day of the week became a true treat to all us fashion people. Her interviews with designers ranging from Aurora James to Stella McCartney, Tory Burch and Aurora James, have provided us with new perspectives on known fashion forces – a craft she had honed as a National Correspondent at CNN where she traveled twice to communist North Korea; covered President Barack Obama’s first election, and covered the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Always-chic Cho is also a lead producer of the upcoming Netflix documentary on the life of Martha Stewart and hosts The Atelier with Alina Cho, the much-loved conversation series with fashion personalities at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Of all the fashion interviews you have conducted, which one is your favorite?  

It’s hard to choose. I don’t have children, but it’s like trying to choose between your children because each one is so interesting in its own way. Having said that, in part because he is no longer with us, Karl Lagerfeld is one person I have had the privilege to interview many, many times at his studio in Paris. I got to see him work. We’d always go in as he was doing his final fittings for his ready-to-wear show. It always felt like a little gift, being able to walk into that room, to watch the models come out, and to see how he would make a comment about a skirt having to be just a few millimeters shorter or longer or taking this jacket in a bit. He was always so right on point. Not only was Karl brilliant and one of the most creative minds in fashion, he was also incredibly kind and incredibly generous. And he was incredibly funny. When I talked to him once about his collaborations – he would put his name on a Diet Coke or an Evian water bottle or a washing machine – he said, ‘you know my name is Labelfeld, not Lagerfeld.’

Whenever I would go to his studio, I would leave with a little gift. Sometimes a book, one time an iPod Mini which he had programmed with his 25 favorite songs.

In all the interviews, has there been a biggest life lesson from a fashion designer?

I would divide this into three parts. From Michael Kors I have learned the importance of staying humble and the importance of having a sense of humor. No one’s funnier than Michael Kors. From Tory Burch, I have learned the importance of leading with grace, and from Thom Browne, I have learned the importance of staying true to your vision. Remember, 20 years ago, when he introduced the now-famous shrunken suit, nobody wanted to have anything to do with it. And I remember him telling me that retailers strongly encouraged him to modify it, and he didn’t…and who in the last few decades has had more of an impact on the shapes in menswear, literally, than Thom Browne. Of all three of them, the importance of being kind and generous, no matter how big you are.

What’s the one question you ask every designer?

I don’t know that it’s one single question, but I am always fascinated by what designers do when they’re off duty. Where do they like to travel? What kind of music do they listen to? What kind of art do they like? What kind of food do they eat? Do they have a favorite ice cream flavor? I would find that that’s the window into a part of their life that helps me understand how they think about fashion, oddly, because it’s the whole human. That’s why you do an interview. It’s nice to know what the designer’s inspiration is behind a collection but let’s also learn more about the person. That’s always my goal.

Is there someone you haven’t interviewed and really want to interview?

Yes, there is. I never like to say who I am trying to get, but suffice it to say there is a short list and you have heard of them.

What is it about the fashion industry that you love the most?

Because I have always worked for general news networks, I always felt like I come at it from the outside a little bit, and I have always wanted to be a member of the club, so to speak. This recognition is such an incredible validation that maybe I am part of the family.

The fashion industry is a slightly dysfunctional, slightly crazy, but ultimately very loving and supportive family and I do think it’s a family. It’s like all families and I am thrilled to be a part of the family.