Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

I attended the Golden Age of Couture display at the Victoria & Albert Museum last October. It was sensational, but as I was travelling back to Australia was unable to purchase the book at the time. The book is exquisitely presented and provides images and words to almost transport one there. I highly recommend it to any fashionistas.

I loved this book. Most fashion books tend to have just pages and pages of pictures of fashion with very little and not very informative writing. This book on the other hand has both, it gives a pretty good summary of the history of couture fashion: mentioned all the famous old school couture designers and has the most beautiful pictures of clothes. I highly recommend it, especially to novice like me who are interested in couture, but wants something that is a bit more than just basic history or just pictures of couture fashion. This book combined best of both!

La belle epoque. Very glamorous book. Lovely story of the golden years of high couture. Finesse. Elegance. Absolument tout.

I own this lovely book. The photography is stunning and the oversize format allows one to see the details of the exquisite clothing from this iconic era.

This is a fantastic book for anyone interested in couture. The pictures and anecdotes are fantastic. My sister saw the exhibition at the V and A and said it was brilliant and I think the book captures it. Inspirational.

Lovely book which leaves you longing for the days of elegance and style. You wont be sorry you ordered this to add to your collection.

Also for those who sew or design a very good book for ideas to file away for future projects.

Exceptional, exceptional, exceptional. The exhibit at The Frist Center in Nashville was phenomenal and this book is a perfect, in-depth examination of fashion as art.