Customer Reviews

Frederic Fekkai: A Year of Style

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While some of Fekkai's suggestions for incorporating style, i.e.,(jetting off to the Riviera) are out of reach for most American women, many other tips are perfectly accesible. I enjoyed this book immensely, it offers delightful suggestions for making one's life more stylish and pleasurable. Some people may feel this book is geared only for the ultra rich, but I disagree. What is so out of reach about making hot chocolate the French way (without instant powder),wearing a sun hat, or not being a slave to the fashion magazines each season? If anything, Fekkai encourages women to be confident and to shed a lot of unncessary and expensive trappings that only serve to make them look cheap (excessive gold jewelry, overbleached hair, Lee Press-On Nails, etc.) This book is an excellent tool for any woman wanting to look more effortlessly chic. It can even be inspirational to women who are mothers, after all, millions of French mothers who are not heiresses manage to leave their homes each day looking polished and chic. With this book, you simply have to be selective and incorporate style in accordance with your pocketbook and time. So what if you can't visit a European spa for a facial. Make your own facial with chamomile leaves and steaming water! The book addresses the needs of both elite and working class women. It is a wonderful read and I know I will keep referring to it. This book would make an excellent gift to yourself or a loved one.

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of the suggestions! When I first read this book, I thought it was nothing more than a coffee table book full of musings. But then I tried some of the suggestions, and the results were amazing. For example, the french olive oil soap he suggested cleared up a skin problem I've had my entire life (I couldn't even get rid of it with antibiotics), and made my skin very soft.

Also, his method of blow drying hair works much better than mine. I do it all the time now, with great results.

I've tried the makeup and fashion ideas, and received a lot of compliments.

The ideas in this book might be obvious to people who already look great, but for clueless people like me, it's perfect!

It's clear why Frederic Fekkai is successful: he has a well defined point of view of what he likes, and why he likes it. For instance, daytime watches do not work for evening wear, people who talk incessantly on phones are not very sexy, that before the age of five, children should not be subjected to the barber or hairdresser, and that too much skin or cleavage shown on your wedding day is simply wrong.

Before you think of him as just a tyrant, think again.... how many people in this time have completely forgotten their manners, or that simplicity works best, and instead waste hours chasing an elusive and ephemeral ideal? Frederic Fekkai, in fact challenges the whole 'race to be beautiful' in a manner that is calming, wise, and friendly.

This is a lavish book. Thick pages, beautifully photographed, and there IS something nice about being reminded to clip flowers for the house, to take time to give yourself a pedicure, and to take time for your children. Once you finish this book, you'll think of him as a cross between Audrey Hepburn, Erma Bombeck and Letitia Baldridge...... and a wise friend.

This is a wonderful book full of beauty, fashion and style tips. But what it gives you that other books of this genre don't is confidence. Even though it's full of pictures of models and the famous, which could be at cross purposes with a book for the masses, Fekkai conveys a sincere belief that all women are beautiful. It's not so much about getting/buying products or services, it's more about attitude. With his low-key prose, he suggests how you can put your best self forward and how to pamper yourself. I originally bought this book as a gift and was so impressed, I got a copy for myself.

I love this book and know it will give me pleasure for years to come.

The pictures are exquisite and backed up with a simple, well stated text.

Frederic shares his ideas on how you can derive more pleasure from life month by month. Each month he entreats you to embrace the days by taking advantage of what the season has to offer.
One month you may make a special refreshing drink. Another month tidy your closet. Yet another month focus on your hair.

He encourages simplicity, paring down your wardrobe. Pitching all your lotions and potions and achieve your best look with an easy, daily routine. Inviting the best and forgetting the rest! And he does it well. The book is charming and fun with new ideas to attain a fresh look and punctuated with thoughts on how to enjoy the process! It's well worth the high price tag.

I LOVE FRENCH! The title of Frederic Fekkai's "Year of Style" doesn't do justice to this reservoire of natural and inner beauty secrets. His basic message is "Simplify things." Then he fills the books with incredible make-overs and adjustments that allow you to spend less time in front of the mirror, but more time feeling classy, creative, confident, and chic. Have you ever wandered down the bath and beauty aisle and wondered, "Does this stuff really work or is it just more merchandizing to make us "feel good" about ourselves?" Frederic guides you to the basic beauty aids and accessories ESSENTIAL for real loveliness, beauty and style. For me the discovery of Shea butter soaps and shampoos, hand cut combs, apple cider vinegar and cold water hair rinses, natural application of makeup, and through the year guidelines on effortless chic make this book an invaluable beauty and health guide. It's through-the-year monthly format makes the contents fun and easy to read and remember. My sister now uses this as the textbook for the Personal Etiquette courses in teaching high school home economics classes.

Although this is an expensive book it is definitely worth the money. If you're looking for a sane and sensible approach to every aspect of personal style I'd advise you to ignore the fashion magazines and buy this instead. Fekkai, through text and photographs, shows the natural approach to bringing out every woman's personal best look - and it has nothing to do with trends or money. I bought this as a treat for myself but surprisingly, it ends up being very much of a 'simplify your life' type of book. I'm really impressed!

this is the best style/beauty/life book ive ever seen. its my life manual. When you read it, it just makes you want to live a simple, stylish, delicious life. not only does it give great beauty/style tips, but its also a great lifestyle book. i love its recipes, its tips for being a great host or hostess, its gift giving tips, it encourages you to write letters instead of email. he also has a little tip for each day of the year. one of my favorites is to paint at least one wall in your room a great red color, becuase red makes you feel more beautiful when you wake up. i plan on painting one wall in my room red. One part i frequently read is the part about taking a trip in april, he talks about going to St. Barths, i think it was. just hearing him talk about what to pack and what to do makes me want to go on a vacation to cleanse and relax the spirit. i read his tips on applying makeup, figured out that i was applying cocnealer wrong, started using his tips and saw much more flawless looking makeup. every single one of his tips is amazing. he promotes simple, beautiful style with great accessories, and savory every little part of life. this book feels uncluttered, simple, stylish. i HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY reccomend this book.

I have been looking for a style book that would teach me how to develop a clean, natural, chic style. In a world of over-the-top make-up, hair and nails, Fekkai has crafted a gorgeous book of daily tips on how to nuture the body and the soul. He gives wonderful instuctions on hair care (of course), make-up and color pallets, nail care as well as wonderful ideas for things that revive the soul. The lovely thing is that instead of loading up your make-up drawer with yet more things,you may find you will be simplifying your regime and looking great. Really, at the core of the book, is the essence of French joie-de-vivre!

This is a very beautiful book. I would recommend anyone who spend money on fashion magazines to spend those money on books like these instead. They are durable and are not ageing as fast as magazines. The book contains many inspirational pictures, and many good tips about style, how to be chic, grooming etc. However, this is not an "how to"-book. If you look for more detailed tips on how to plan your wardrobe etc., look elsewhere

The book is divided in chapters after the months of the year. Therefore, it is a book you can come back to all the time. It is best enjoyed browsed through with a cup of tea or similar. I especially liked the little notes in the margins - tips on how to make your life more beautiful and chic. Many of them refer to things to buy, but many refer to things that are simple and inexpensive.