Diana Vreeland? Christopher Hemphill? Valerie Steele? Marion Hume? Question for Quote Investigator: Apparently, a prominent fashion maven asserted that an obsession with good taste was misguided because a person with “terrible taste” could make a “damn good living” selling items. This notion has been attributed to Diana Vreeland who was the editor-in-chief at Vogue in …
Tag Archives: Diana Vreeland
Quote Origin: Blue Jeans Are the Most Beautiful Things Since the Gondola
Diana Vreeland? Christopher Hemphill? Eleanor Dwight? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A powerful fashion maven was asked about blue jeans, and the response was surprising: They’re the most beautiful things since the gondola. This remark has been attributed to Diana Vreeland who worked at “Harper’s Bazaar” from 1936 to 1963 followed by a job at …
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Quote Origin: Elegance Is Refusal
Coco Chanel? Diana Vreeland? Francine du Plessix Gray? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Statements about stylish clothing and beautiful furnishings are often opaque. Here is an example: Elegance is refusal. This statement has been attributed to two prominent fashion mavens: Coco Chanel and Diana Vreeland. I have never seen a solid citation. Would you please …
You Don’t Owe Prettiness to Anyone
Diana Vreeland? Fran Lebowitz? Erin McKean? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: The following cogent statement about self-ownership, integrity, and image has been shared on social media networks: You Don’t Have to Be Pretty. You don’t owe prettiness to anyone. I have seen an extended version of the remark attributed to the fashion columnist and editor Diana …
Fashion Passes; Style Remains
Coco Chanel? Yves Saint Laurent? Diana Vreeland? Pier Luigi Nervi? Tom Stoppard? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: The fashion designer Coco Chanel was brilliant and innovative. I am interested in a motto that she may have originated: Fashion passes; style remains. When did she say this? Quote Investigator: The earliest close match for this phrase known …