Ultimate Style: The Best of the Best Dressed List [Hardcover]

Eleanor Lambert (Author), Bettina Zilkha (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

Here, in this lavishly illustrated history of the Best Dressed List, is the story of how the list originated and grew into the world-famous event it is today. And, for the first time ever, fashion doyenne and Best Dressed List founder Ms. Lambert contributes her personal story on the subject. Founded in 1940, the Best Dressed List was her brilliant publicity ploy to boost the drooping American fashion industry at the outset of World War II. It quickly became a highly visible and respected barometer of style, a "who's who" of the most glamorous women in the world. Interestingly, the first lists were mostly wealthy society women who were famous for spending entire fortunes every year on haute couture, while movie stars were rarely named to it, as they were dressed by their studios. Today, the list has evolved into a highly coveted placement that includes every sort of public figure, from socialites and models to movie stars and politicians. Featuring four to six of the top women from each decade, this spectacular volume explores the personal style of such fashion icons as Babe Paley in the 40s; Grace Kelly and Diana Vreeland in the 50s; Jackie O. and Verushka in the 60s; Twiggy and Bianca Jagger in the 70s; Princess Di and Tina Chow in the 80s; Sharon Stone and the Miller sisters in the 90s; Chloe Sevigny and Nicole Kidman in the 21st century. The Best Dressed List will be reproduced in its entirety in the back of the book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eleanor Lambert founded the International Best Dressed List in 1940. In 1943 she founded the Coty Awards, in the 1960s she helped organize the Council of Fashion Designers of America. She is credited with introducing many of the 20th century's most popular fashion designers to the press, including Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent; Bettina Zilkha, who has a background in writing, marketing and advertising, is the international contributing editor for TheTrendReport.com. A trendsetter in her own right, Bettina has lived in both New York and Paris, where she planned special events for the American Center. She is constantly on the lookout for new trends all over the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: Assouline (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2843235138
• ISBN-13: 978-2843235139
• Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 10.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,273,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad idea, but could've been so much better!, May 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Ultimate Style: The Best of the Best Dressed List (Hardcover)

I say this because there could've been a lot more personal information about the lives and styles of the selected ladies (and a few more pictures of their outfits!), and there were much better pictures available of some of the ladies. There were missed opportunities to show better pictures of Wallis Warfield Simpson, C.Z. Guest, Nicole Kidman, Paltrow, Coco Chanel (there was a spectacular Cecil Beaton portrait of Chanel that was in the Vanity Fair issue--they should've printed it in this book), and the pictures of Jackie Kennedy Onassis were rather poor choices. This book reminded me a lot of "The Power of Style" (which I think is still available). I still liked it enough to purchase it because the book is very elegant and does contain some nice pictures. I just think it was a lost opportunity to really "lay on the style" by including MORE and BETTER pictures. I also didn't see much good in just printing the LIST of names of the ladies who've made the list--we have no idea of WHO or HOW these ladies looked! Why not at least a small picture of these ladies and their sartorial choices? Overall, a nice addition to a fashion lover's book collection, but I was a little disappointed by what COULD have been (yes, I keep repeating myself)...Don't forget to try to get "The Power of Style" (and "The Power of Glamour", which is about movie star style)--you would really like these books if you like Ultimate Style.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book has style!, January 17, 2005

By 

jungleroad (Palm Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Style: The Best of the Best Dressed List (Hardcover)

I was immediately drawn to "Ultimate Style" - it is a stunning chronicle of modern fashion, and highlights this century's most stylish women. The photos are gorgeous, and very well chosen (many of which I have never seen before - kudos to Ms. Zilkha for selecting such winning photos!), and Ms. Zilkha's text accompanying each is interesting, nicely written, and well thought out, I thought. The end result here is quite beautiful and makes for quite a conversation piece on my coffee table! I would love to see a follow-up book, showcasing even more of those on the list that were not selected this go around - Pat Buckley, Princess Caroline, Nan Kempner, Uma Thurman, etc.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Style like no other!, November 10, 2004

By 

Steve Kapelonis "Steve" (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Style: The Best of the Best Dressed List (Hardcover)

In the months that Ultimate Style has gracing my living room, it has generated countless interesting conversations. Everybody has a story and somehow this book inspires us all to share ours.