Throughout the biography, you attribute various aphorisms or defining statements to Bonnie. If you had to pick just one to capture her approach to life and design, what would it be and why?
Two that come to mind: “Never Look Back” – this is from the least self-analyzing woman ever – and ” I know what I want to accomplish,” which allows her to break through the plethora of options life presents her, both good and bad.
Bonnie’s “Three Musketeers” are much more chic than Dumas’s. Can you talk about her relationship with Cristóbal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy and Jean Schlumberger?
Her relationship with Balenciaga is adored; with Schlumberger, romantic; with Givenchy, she’s wanting more men’s Torn between heart, soul and body and seeing him for who he really is: her best friend.
Because of her extreme humility, many people are unaware of Bunny’s contributions to interior and garden design. What do you want people to take away from this book?
Bunny was hindered by being born in 1910 when most of the women in her class didn’t show up In public or as a professional. Her husband Paul and her own intense need for privacy hindered public recognition and opportunities for other work. At the end of her life, when a neighbor asked her what she did with her garden and landscaping, she said “keep it simple” and that’s what she did for herself. She has a keen eye for capturing and emphasizing essential landscape forms, and indoors, she lets the incredible art on the walls do the talking.
Do you think Bunny will take advantage of today’s social media age, and people who are famous for being famous?
More Than I Suspected At first, I saw Bunny yearning to be recognized for her talents and accomplishments – but in her own way, within the framework of her own life. In his eulogy for Bunny, Frank Langella noted that “she never gave an interview to promote herself…never went to a gala…” and “she never stepped on a red carpet”. Instead, as a woman who embraces new things, like the fax machine, I’m sure she’ll find a way to take advantage of social media.
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