One is born with good taste. It's very hard to acquire. You can acquire the patina of taste. But what Elsie Mendl had was something else that's particularly Americanโโan appreciation of vulgarity. Vulgarity is a very important ingredient in life. I'm a great believer in vulgarityโโif it's got vitality. A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad tasteโโit's hearty, it's healthy, it's physical. I think we could use more of it. No taste is what I'm against.
Diana VreelandI think part of my success as an editor came from never worrying about a fact, a cause, an atmosphere. It was meโprojecting to the public. That was my job. I think I always had a perfectly clear view of what was possible for the public. Give โem what they never knew they wanted.
Diana Vreeland