Cafe Society: Socialites, Patrons, and Artists 1920-1960 [Hardcover]

Thierry Coudert (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 12, 2010

Aristocrats, millionaires, painters, fashion designers, choreographers, and musicians of the café society fox-trot aboard cruise liners and mingle at dazzling parties in Paris. Exclusive, extravagant, and beautiful, these cosmopolitan socialites were the patrons who galvanized the phenomenal success of the greatest creators of the early twentieth century. It was a whirlwind of sumptuously decorated villas and yachts, up-and-coming haute couture and jewelry designers, and elite evening parties, immortalized by fashion photographers like Cecil Beaton. Combining elegance and fantasy, the members of the café society enjoyed a sophisticated, avant-garde lifestyle. Some of the century’s most original talents—from Cole Porter to Yves Saint Laurent—stepped into the limelight via the café society. Through archival photographs and period documents, this volume recounts in historical detail the intrigue and impact generated around the world by this stylish jet-set.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thierry Coudert contributed to the catalog for the exhibition Cartier 1899-1949: The Journey of a Style, staged at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in 2007. A close friend of Alexis de Redé, he has a deep and abiding interest in the artistic and cosmopolitan world of the café society, and over the last ten years has assembled an important collection of archive documents on the subject.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Flammarion; FLAMMARION edition (October 12, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2080301578
• ISBN-13: 978-2080301574
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 1.4 x 12.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful journey back in time. January 19, 2011

By Jennifer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The cover featuring Barbara Hutton is merely a prelude to the visual treats and text that awaits.

The photography is terrific and is generously featured throughout the pages. The range of subjects are also broad.

There's something delicious about society's beautiful people remaining elusive, especially in this vulgar, new age of social media and reality television.

48 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Importance, but mostly FUN January 2, 2011

By Judy D

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love this book because it absolutely captures a very short time in our cultural history. We may see these people as silly& rich, but they were important. Cultures have, until quite recently, always supported their artists or craftman through moneies given by the elite (if I may!). Cafe Society is a rich culturally historic time. It is a very fun book for all the right reasons- money, sex,no money, no sex. If you have any interest in cultural history- the kind of history that puts a fun and rauchous neighborhood in your minds eye- buy this book. It is great.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Book March 29, 2011

By WorldOyster

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great photos of a time and people that just don't exist anymore. Such a glamorous time to have lived. Fun read as well with tons of juicy gossip.