(no subject)
From The Diary of Anais Nin, Volume One:
I am dressing more simply. I have felt much less the need of an original way of dressing. I can wear ordinary clothes now. Why? Costume was, for me, very symbolical. It meant many things. It had, first of all, a poetic significance: colors for certain occasions, evocations of other styles, countries (Spanish flavor, Moroccan touches, etc, etc.). It was a sign of individuality (I never wore what everybody wore; I designed my own costumes). I did not follow fashions. I did not wear neutral colors, neutral suits, plain or homely or nondescript things. I wanted striking clothes which distinguished me from other women. Costumes added to my confidence.
(p.111)
The pathological basis of creation! I could have been a famous dress designer! The only problem was that my imagination created costumes which did not fit my simple life, were not intended to be worn in the little train from Louveciennes to Paris, or to Dr. Allendy's office. What I sought in clothes was an evocation of the fairy tale.
(p.112)
What we call our destiny is truly our character, and that character can be altered. The knowledge that we are responsible for our actions and attitudes does not need to be discouraging, because it also means that we are free to change this destiny.
(p.126)