In an interview with himself — which you can read more about past the jump — The Doors frontman Jim Morrison noted that the self-interview is the “essence of creativity.” After compiling a series of fascinating conversations that some of the world’s biggest cultural icons had with themselves, we wholeheartedly agree. Does the idea of a self-interview seem too self-absorbed or controlling? Possibly — but we found that the format allowed for a lot of self-deprecating humor, artistic expression, and compelling self-reflection. In each case there seems to be a clear method to the madness. Past the break, watch and read as artists, writers, and musicians share their most personal thoughts on their career, search for answers to difficult questions, and charm us with their eccentricities. Did we miss your favorite self-interview? Feel free to leave your picks in the comments below.

Karl Lagerfeld

Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld conducted a quirky and charming interview with himself for online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter. In the short video, the Chanel powerhouse covers a variety of questions with his “twin,” revealing that he’s never happy with himself. He also cracks the whip on the secrets of success and shares his disgust for the term “muse.” We totally believe him when he says that being himself is not that difficult, and enjoyed his inclusion of a cliché stranded-on-a-desert-island question. Don’t ask him how to be chic, though. The designer says there are peasants in rags that do it without trying, and if you have to ask there’s a problem. +1 K.L.