Customer Reviews

Poiret (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

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

 

 

This large tome is a gorgeous accompaniament to the ongoing exhibition at the Met. Most of the book consists of full-page photographs on high-quality matte paper. While I'm a couple thousand miles from the exhibition, the book's photos means it's possible to see Poiret's wonderful clothes in close detail--and how amazingly timeless many of them were--as in you really could wear them today.

So, why four instead of five stars? Because the text is good, but not superlative. Lots of good information about Paul Poiret, but I'd like to have had something that places him in the context of other designers--how they were influenced (if they were)and a livelier writing style--good fashion writing, even of the historical ilk, should be witty.

It is, as I say, a gorgeous coffee table book. These days, it sits on a side table next to my couch because the matte gold cover just looks so darn good. I would buy this book if I were an interior designer just for decorative purposes.

I think this is the best format for a costume/fashion book of a designers work Each article is photographed on a white mannequin in a white space with beautiful lighting. Each garment is shown in a full length photo and some have front back and detail views. For those who want to understand the cut of clothing, this provides as much info as one can get short of seeing the garment itself.

Mr. Koda and The Costume Institute scores with this lovely exhibition catalog! While not as lavish or sumptuous as The Philadelphia Museum of Art's 2003 Shocking! The Art and Fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli by Dilys Blum (at this juncture the absolute gold standard for Costume exhibition catalogs) this remains nonetheless an absolutely gorgeous volume. A perfect counterpoint if you will, to the even more lavish 1987 Rizzoli volume Poiret by Yvonne Deslandres. The current Poiret is a feast for the senses, especially, if you were unable to visit the exhibition in-person. You shan't be disappointed.

A note about Rizzoli: In the decades of the mid 1980s and early 1990s this publishing house offered some of the most beautiful volumes devoted to the great couturiers. If you haven't already acquired them, I highly recommend each of them. The first was the aforementioned Poiret, followed with Christian Dior by Francoise Giroud in 1987; Balenciaga by Marie-Andrée Jouve and Jacqueline Demornex in 1989, and Vionnet by Jacqueline Demornex in 1991. Hopefully, Rizzoli is commencing such a series once more with the November publication of Lanvin!

As the revival of long-dead haute couture houses continues, of late with Vionnet (as yet another ready-to-wear venture) in addition to the aforementioned volume, I also recommend the spectacular Madeleine Vionnet by Betty Kirke published in 1998

This gorgeous book is loaded with large colorful images of POIRET's masterful fashion designs. GREAT gift for anyone who appreciates luxurious textiles, intricate beadwork, the lost art of couture, the early teens/20's era. This is a great resource book for designers, artists, and textile makers. The best of the coffee table books out there

"What are you doing looking at fashion books?" enquired my beloved wife. I must admit that my clothes sense leaves something to be desired and the clothing expert in the Zetler household is my better half. But I have a weakness for design, fine textiles and high quality books. This large sized volume is a treat to behold; the dresses are classic designs dating from 1910 to 1920 and the textiles exude class and luxury. My wife was almost in a swoon and she wished she might possess more than a few of the dresses.

Additional to the dress illustrations are interesting articles on Poiret's world and some charming contemporary illustrations.

The color reproduction and general printing values of this book are exceptional.If you are a classic fashion enthusiast, this should be an obligatory purchase.

This book is amazing, it is beautifull!
Poiret's works is amazing, i love it!!

An interesting and well done book but for my needs, the Vionnet book sets the standard that I want in a fashion history book.