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 American––an appreciation of vulgarity. Vulgarity is a very important ingredient in life. I'm a great believer in vulgarity––if it's got vitality. A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad taste––it's hearty, it's healthy, it's physical. I think we could use more of it. No taste is what I'm against.

I have a terrible time remembering exactly when my birthday is. Age is totally boring.

The West is boring itself to death! And talking itself to death!

This is a great shame, but of course there have to be some things in life that not everybody can have, and great perfume is one of them.

I'm a person who is only invested in the pleasures and enjoyments of life. All the rest is left to the men. I've always remained what you might call "feminine" about the whole [work] thing.

If you think all the time every day of your life, you might as well kill yourself today and be happier tomorrow.

How boring to copy the past -- with all the magnificence of today and tomorrow.