Late to the party, I finally watched the documentary on Diana Vreeland, The Eye Has To Travel.
You gotta have style. It helps you get down the stairs. It helps you get up in the morning. It’s a way of life. Without it, you’re nobody.
The movie is surprisingly enjoyable, light-hearted and inspiring.
I was always fascinated by the absurdities and luxuries and the snobbism of the world that fashion magazines showed. Of course, it’s not for everyone…But I lived in that world, not only during my years in the magazines business but for years before, because I was always of that world– at least in my imagination.
I expected her to be another Anna Wintour, but instead I found Mrs Vreeland to be both ridiculous and pathetic and brave and kind of wonderful.
Fashion must be the most intoxicating release from the banality of the world.
I didn’t realise how eccentric she was, nor how extravagant.
A lie to get out of something, or take an advantage for oneself, that’s one thing; but a lie to make life more interesting—well, that’s entirely different.
She was both a snob, and a champion of denim and the bikini.
There’s quite a few books about her, and by her, which I have now added to my reading list..
There’s only one very good life and that’s the life you know you want and you make it yourself.