“During the golden age of movie stars, there were plenty of actresses who were deemed unattractive at the start of their careers, but struggled and finally appeared more beautiful and more iconic. Sometimes that idea of being truly iconic has something to do with not necessarily being beautiful and thus trying harder.”

My only ambition in life . . . is to wear size 28 jeans.

Luxury is the income tax of vanity. But it is so pleasant.

The most important piece in the house is the garbage can.

I am a black diamond, unfaceted. Black diamonds are rare, hard to cut, and therefore uncommercial.

The flat shoe makes the woman equal of men. When they have high [shoes], they play a part like a geisha, and they can’t be expected to be taken that seriously.

A respectable appearance is sufficient to make people more interested in your soul

Bears are very nice, as long as you are nice to them.

Sunglasses are like eye shadow: They make everything look younger and pretty

I don’t know what “normal” means, anyway.

With expensive fashion, the inside should be as perfect as the outside.

As a child I wanted to be a grown-up. I wanted to know everything – not that I like to talk about it. I hate intellectual conversation with intellectuals because I only care about my opinion.

I think it’s horrible that people have to be told. Don’t smoke! Everybody knows it’s bad for the health. But they have to forbid it.

Seduction is, first and foremost, an art form. And seduction should not always be treated as a wild celebration. In fact, it’s more of an evocation of what you do. It’s more an evocation of seduction.

Chanel is composed of only a few elements, white camellias, quilted bags and Austrian doorman’s jackets, pearls, chains, shoes with black toes. I use these elements like notes to play with.

Fashion and music are the same, because music express its period too.

Stuff your brain with knowledge.

At least I’m not playing other people for a change. It’s a very odd place to be… I feel I’m an actress who sings a bit.

Right now I’m the most famous silent movie actress in the world and I want to keep that for me. So I hope there’s not going to be any other silent movies.

You know, acting is very fascinating. But being an actress is not, because you become so concentrated on yourself.

I’d started going to acting classes at 14, played ‘Medea’ at 15 and really wanted to be a classical actress.

I only began to sing because I couldn’t get a job as an actress.

Basically, I have a gift as an actress, and I want to present the sophisticated side of me as an actress and a person.

My mother told me I should be a secretary, but I wanted to be an actress from when I was very young.

Obviously, I’m not a trained actress, and right now I’ll come out and say I’m glad I’m not.