Fashion Plates, 1950-1970 Book

Since the closest I will ever come to the world of couture is being addicted to Project
Runway, I really enjoyed this peek into the rise of Coco Chanel. Truly a self-made woman, it she we have to thank for freeing women from corsets and upholstery fabric dresses. It is also her fault that fashion now favors the ultra thin and boyish figure, because she looked like that and made clothes for people who looked like her. She was quite a fascinating creature, and I give you a sample of her aphorisms here: Remember, this is the woman who brought costume jewelry into the jewelry boxes of the rich and famous, and never went anywhere without ropes of (fake) pearls and significant brooches, "It's always better to be slightly underdressed", "How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone" (Agood one - but what does it mean?)"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud"(That one usually gets me into more trouble...) "Gentleness doesn't get work done, unless you happen to be a hen laying eggs" (That is old news for some tyranical ex-bosses I know), and I must add this one, even though it isn't attributable to Chanel, but to "Old Hollywood":What it takes to make it, listed in order of ascending importance: 3. Have some talent. 2. Know the right people, and 1. Be fun to be with. Last of all, my personal favorite: A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future" I did enjoy the book - it was full of bon mots, written in a chatty but intelligent style. I learned stuff, and had stuff to think about, which is a pretty good afternoon of reading.