Helen Gurley Brown was the ground-breaking editrix-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine for 32 years in addition to writing several best-selling books, including the revolutionary Sex and the Single Girl in 1962 (which was made into a film starring Natalie Wood in 1964). She contributed loads to the sexual revolution of the 1960s, and her goal has always been to help women feel like sexy, powerful, independent creatures. Essentially, there would be no Sex and the City without the good ol' "Gurl". She
penned many advice tomes over the years, including Having it All: Love,
Success, Sex, Money, Even if You're Starting With Nothing (1982), The Single
Girl's Cookbook (1969), and I'm Wild Again (2000). Now aged 86, H.G.B. is still kickin' . . . out partying in her fringed day-glo Pucci mini-dresses, and consulting for international editions of Cosmo. We should all be so bitchin' as Octogenarians.
Today, while going through my files, I came across a page from Helen's last issue at the helm of Cosmo, the magazine she made into an icon. Here are some of my fave bits from her final editor's letter:
"Self-Discipline ~ Do the rotten stuff first everyday . . . dreaded phone call, confrontation, awful work assignment. Getting the bad over with—it's called postponing pleasure—will inexorably move you along the success trail . . . truth!"
"Popularity ~ Empathy is the most important social asset you can have. Feel what it's like for them . . . How are you coming across? Talking too much? Ignoring signals of what they need? You don't have to sparkle or be beautiful. Get the vibes, listen with your soul, respond with love, humor, applause . . . You'll have a million friends. P.S. Enthusiasm doesn't hurt . . . I love it, let' s do it!"
"Thanks for your friendship, pussycats. Be my valentine."
Today, while going through my files, I came across a page from Helen's last issue at the helm of Cosmo, the magazine she made into an icon. Here are some of my fave bits from her final editor's letter:
"Self-Discipline ~ Do the rotten stuff first everyday . . . dreaded phone call, confrontation, awful work assignment. Getting the bad over with—it's called postponing pleasure—will inexorably move you along the success trail . . . truth!"
"Popularity ~ Empathy is the most important social asset you can have. Feel what it's like for them . . . How are you coming across? Talking too much? Ignoring signals of what they need? You don't have to sparkle or be beautiful. Get the vibes, listen with your soul, respond with love, humor, applause . . . You'll have a million friends. P.S. Enthusiasm doesn't hurt . . . I love it, let' s do it!"
"Thanks for your friendship, pussycats. Be my valentine."
(By row) Helen celebrating the millionth copy of Cosmo in her office c.1965 (wearing Pucci, of course), Helen on the town in 1991, In her Park Ave. apt. with a stack of her bestselling books c.1965, with a favorite needlepoint pillow that reads "I love champagne caviar and cash", and "Good girls go to heaven. Bad girls go everywhere", hangin' out with Jackie Susann in 1967, cocktail hour c. 1965, 4 examples of the "Cosmo Girl look" created by Helen and photographer Francesco Scavullo, 4 of Helen's book covers.
Photos: eBay, Corbis, LIFE
very inspirational! i need to implement her strategy of pleasure postponement! makes a lot of sense. xoxo
Posted by: Heather | February 07, 2009 at 09:04 PM