The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957 [Paperback]

Claire Wilcox (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009

In 1947, Christian Dior’s “New Look” was greeted with both shock and delight, making headlines around the world. Accompanying the exhibition opening at the Victoria and Albert Museum in September 2007, this lavish book focuses on Parisian and British couture between 1947 and 1957, the decade Dior hailed as fashion’s “golden age.”

The “New Look” symbolized a new femininity. The full skirts and hourglass silhouettes were considered highly decadent, synonymous with luxury and prosperity, in marked contrast to the austerity of the WWII years. Nevertheless, the “New Look” caught the public imagination and ushered in a period of remarkable creativity. The Golden Age of Couture features stunning gowns and exquisite tailoring from Dior as well as from such designers as Balenciaga, Balmain, and Givenchy, along with evocative photographs by the likes of Richard Avedon and Cecil Beaton.

This beautifully designed book reveals the skill and craftsmanship of haute couture along with the inner workings of the exclusive design houses, and the inspiration behind some of the most famous styles of all time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Captures a time when dressing was an elegant art' Elle

About the Author

Claire Wilcox is Senior Curator in the V&A’s Textiles & Fashion department. She curated the highly successful exhibitions Vivienne Westwood, The Art and Craft of Gianni Versace, and Radical Fashion, and edited the accompanying books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: V & A Publishing (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1851775218
• ISBN-13: 978-1851775217
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've been waiting for this book for years, November 21, 2007

By 

Joseph A. Admire (Manassas, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947 - 1957 (Hardcover)

At the 60-year mark since the great Christian Dior upended the fashion world with his immortal "New Look", at last comes this gorgeous coffee-table retrospective of what may be the loveliest decade in 20th-century fashion (though the Belle Epoque of 1900-1914 is right up there with the New Look in my opinion). This book, released in tandem with the Victoria and Albert Museum's 2007-08 exhibit of the same name, is more of an overview than an in-depth examination, which would probably require a book at least three times as long and as many times heavier than the current volume. It's not as widely known as it should be that London also had a major haute-couture movement going during this decade, and the British designes like Hardy Amies and Norman Hartnell get full coverage in this book. All the great designers of the period are touched upon and the various trends and details discussed (there are chapters devoted to textile manufacturing and to Cecil Beaton, the best-known fashion photographer of the period), and the photographs, in color and black-and-white alike, are worth the price of purchase alone. I really can't think of a better Christmas present for somebody interested in classic fashion!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glad I got it when I did, January 9, 2008

By 

Reine des Coeurs "reine_des_coeurs" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947 - 1957 (Hardcover)

Haute couture and fashion enthusiasts have had a very bad time try to get hold of this wonderful book, but I have to say it's worth the wait for those of you impatient and desirous of owning your own copy. This 224 page book has color photographs, black and white illustrations and in depth descriptions of what exactly the New Look was, how it was created and how it was developed. Aside from Dior and Balenciaga, Jean Desses, Jacques Fath, and Norman Hartnell (and a section dedicated to London couture) are also discussed and beautiful photographs of their work are displayed.

This is a must have for New Look enthusiasts and fashionistas alike.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gloden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957, June 21, 2008

By 

Pamela Flora (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947 - 1957 (Hardcover)

I purchased two of these books, one for my daughter who will be entering Fashion Design school in the fall and one as a gift for her beloved teacher who retired this year.

The book is a beautiful coffee table book for anyone interesed in fashion particularly Paris and London during the years 1947-1957. The classic designs of this era and their designers are featured along with gorgeous photos. There is even a photo of a Dior gown as it was originally on a model. This same gown in later years was shortened and altered to suit the time and is on display in the Dior exhibit. Seeing it as it was intended by Dior is priceless!

A must for all interested in classic fashion!