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.

We all need a splash of bad taste. No taste is what I am against.

All my life I’ve pursued the perfect red. I can never get painters to mix it for me. It’s exactly as if I’d said, ‘I want rococo with a spot of Gothic in it and a bit of Buddhist temple’—they have no idea what I’m talking about. About the best red is to copy the color of a child’s cap in any Renaissance portrait.

I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity.

Power has got to be the most intoxicating thing in the world—and of all forms of power the most intoxicating is fame.

Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.

I've always had such wonderful opportunities, but I never made the effort, haven't put on the pressure. But I never took them.