Couture, the Great Designers (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Drawing on noted design houses and fashion designers for choice illustrations, Milbank, former head of Sotheby's costume department, weaves together a handsome collection of 175 color and 225 duotone picturesartists' sketches, house photographs, period magazine illustrations, documents. Her 61 insightful if often flattering cameos of famous couturiers' lives and careers form an engaging social history of changing styles. We learn that Charles Frederick Worth not only pioneered the bustle silhouette, he also created a system of pattern parts allowing for near-perfect fit with fewer fittings. We're reminded that Pierre Cardin in the 1960s was an innovator whose clothes made references to space travel and Op Art, and that Elsa Schiaparelli got her start by filling a rented Parisian studio with Armenian knitters. Contemporary fashions discussed include Armani's impeccable blazers as long as skirts, Pauline Trigere's slim, free-falling look, Kenzo's whimsical folk creations, Perry Ellis's blend of traditional and offbeat. All the big names are here: Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, Patou, Fortuny, Rouff, Blass, etc. Literary Guild bonus selection. November
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Couture, which means, quite simply, dressmaking, is now considered an art form. Charles Frederick Worth, whose career began in the mid-19th century, is credited with elevating what was regarded as a mere trade to its present status; he created designs rather than follow the dictates of his clients. After the first chapter, "The Founders," Milbank groups the designers, somewhat arbitrarily, by type: Artists, Purists, Entertainers, Extravagants, Architects, Realists. Fortuny is among "The Artists"; Dior is one of "The Extravagants." The author gives a brief account, lavishly illustrated, of each couturier's work. A delightful book, this will appeal to anyone who appreciates exquisite clothes. Eleanor Riley, Getty Conservation Inst. Lib., Marina del Rey, Cal.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori, & Chang (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941434516
• ISBN-13: 978-0941434515
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #240,213 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #54 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion > Commercial
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fabulous Photgraphs!!, August 23, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Tallahassee, FL) - See all my reviews

I was lucky enough to find a 1985 ed. of this beautiful book for $10 at a book clearance store. It is my favorite fashion reference book and I would find it a deal at $65. It is divided into 7 different catagories (ie. The Founders, The Purists, The Entertainers etc.) and covers 61 designers from Worth to Armani. It is full of wonderful B&W and color photographs of models and movie stars wearing designer masterpieces.I would like to see the updated version- does it cover other designers like Mizrahi,Sander,Versace etc. That would be a welcome addition. I will enjoy my book regardless... Have fun reading the bios and looking at the beautiful clothes!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, July 15, 2000

By	Perqs (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

Well-written review of the 20th century's great designers, discussing the evolution of style. Very similar to Fashion: The Century of the Designer by Konemann Inc., which is very much a chronological approach, rather than philosophical. Both books use many of the same photos and drawings.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I liked this!, December 8, 2005

By	Memily Giraffe (Ithaca, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

I found this in the library. Totally great. It has the most beautiful fashion photography. I stood there for about half an hour just flipping through. It was written in 1985 so the 'modern' part has a bit of a retro feel, but that definitely works in the context. Some very gorgeous pictures from the thirties, fifties, etc.

I will try to get my hands on this definitely! A coffee table book that I would definitely read (over&over) :)