Paper Illusions: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave [Hardcover]

Barbara Stoeltie (Author), Rene Stoeltie (Author), Hubert de Givenchy (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008

Belgian artist, designer, and interior decorator Isabelle de Borchgrave has created exquisite paper dresses evoking high fashions from the courts of the Medici in the Renaissance to the legendary Fortuny silks of the early 20th century. Their historical authenticity, combined with their startling realism, caused an overnight sensation when they were first shown in France in 1998 as “papiers à la mode.” Since then, the dynamic, light-hearted collection has traveled all over the world to critical and popular acclaim.

 

Paper Illusions does full justice to De Borchgrave’s magical workshop, where paper is cut, folded, and painted on the way to being transformed into shimmering visions of beautiful clothing and luxurious living.  In Rene Stoeltie’s vivid photographs, figures from the history of style seem to breathe in atmospheric rooms, while details of color, pattern, and form jump off the page. It is a publishing event of unprecedented creativity, wit, and elegance.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Isabelle de Borchgrave is an artist, designer, and interior decorator. In March 2007, Target announced the introduction of her line of paper party décor, called Isabelle Party. She lives and works in Brussels. Barbara and René Stoeltie have been collaborating on interior design books and articles since 1984 with Barbara as writer and René as photographer. They live in Brussels. Hubert de Givenchy is a French aristocrat and world-famous fashion designer. He lives in France.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Abrams; English-language Hardcover Ed edition (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081097133X
• ISBN-13: 978-0810971332
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 9.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #810,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing Book, an incredible talent, wonderful paintings, December 14, 2008

By 

Yael Bolender "From Cuculapraline-Frenchic" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paper Illusions: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave (Hardcover)

For me, this book is an absolute MUST. I am an artist too and I am amazed by Isabelle de Borchgrave's talent, her ability to create so quickly and so much. A long time ago, I had seen her exhibition "Papier A la Mode" in Paris, at Braquenie's and it had became like a reference for me. She is among my favorite artists, beside Carolyn Quartermaine and Joy de Rohan Chabot. This book is more everything : the pictures are gorgeous, the text interesting, the creations more that wonderful, it gave me the will to take my brushes and paint on everything. Her papier mache vases are astonishing, though I already made vases in papier mache myself, but it is always interesting to see how other talented artists work.
In conclusion, this book is an absolute must for someone who is a little an artist or who appreciates good "Arts Appliques", the Trompe-l'Oeil, the Baroque or Japanese style, Versailles, the 18th century, Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, the French Elegance.
As a reminder : Isabelle de Borchgrave is the one who created "Isabelle's Party" products at Target's.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!, December 27, 2008

By 

Suzy W (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paper Illusions: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave (Hardcover)

A humble piece of paper will never been seen as that again after you get this book. Combine cultural history, fashion, paper artistry and you have a winner! You just can't get enough of the talent within these pages and you never want to get to the end of this book but alas, all good things must come to an end eventually.... until we wait in eager anticipation for Isabelle de Borchgrave's next triumph of creativity.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With a Passion for Paper!, January 5, 2009

By 

LKP (Ancram, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paper Illusions: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave (Hardcover)

A good friend and fellow artist recommended this book, and I am very glad that I took the plunge and ordered it immediately. If you are suffering post-holiday doldrums or need an instant shot of pure inspiration and visual delight, this book is ideal. The paper garments in this book will make almost any ambitious mixed media artist rush to the studio, to at least attempt to create something "wearable"; and History of Costume buffs will also delight to see this fascinating passion interpreted in that most-enduring-of-all materials, paper. This book walks the delicate line between elegant and brainy, and the page design and photography respect the reader and provide wonderful eye candy. Add this to your library, and pick it up often when you need a blast of visual fun and fascination. I've had my turn at making paper garments for smaller-sized mannikins and paper dolls (see my book, "Beyond Paper Dolls") and this book has inspired me to Think Big.