Synopses & Reviews
In the early 20th century, Lucile, Lady Duff Gordon (1863-1935), was an international fashion sensation. She created some of the most lavish, provocative, and controversial fashions of the Edwardian era, lingerie, tea-gowns and evening-wear that attracted famous beauties like Lillie Langtry and Mary Pickford. A flamboyant and eccentric character who survived the sinking of the Titanic, wrote a column for Hearst newspapers, and designed costumes for the Ziegfeld Follies, Lucile also trained the first professional fashion models, staged the first runway shows, and introduced revolutionary elements to women's dress such as lower necklines, slit skirts, and less-restrictive corsets.
This fascinating and long-overdue study of Lucile's work includes a remarkable facsimile of her Fall 1905 fashion album, printed on special paper, and featuring over 60 watercolor illustrations and reproductions of luxurious fabric samples and trimmings. The book also draws on Lucile's own autobiography, Discretions and Indiscretions, a captivating window into the rarefied world of high Edwardian society and the extraordinary mind of one its most notable characters.
Synopsis
Downton Abbeyandndash;era fashion is explored through the life and extensive wardrobe of real-life Edwardian London socialite Heather Firbank (1888andndash;1954), whose treasures, bought from the worldandrsquo;s leading couturiers and the very best dressmakers and tailors in London, were gifted to the VandA after her death. The collection forms an invaluable record of a stylish and wealthy womanandrsquo;s taste from about 1905 to 1920, and actually served as inspiration to Downton Abbeyandrsquo;s Emmy Awardandndash;winning costume designer, Susannah Buxton. Beautifully illustrated with new photography of Firbankandrsquo;s evening gowns, tailored suits, and hats, the book also features contemporary photographs and pages from Firbankandrsquo;s own fashion cuttings albums.
Synopsis
Hollywood star, royal bride, beloved princess and#150; Grace Kelly (1929-1982) embodied all three titles with a style all her own. Renowned for her cool beauty and faultless taste, the young actress stood apart from the other film sirens of the 1950s, with thousands of women, both in the US and Europe, emulating her classic yet accessible style. Her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956 catapulted Grace to further fame and cemented her influence on the world of fashion. From the Parisian catwalks to the pages of
Vogue, the and#147;Grace Kelly Lookand#8221; became the look of the moment.and#160;and#160;
This book, the first to look exclusively at Grace Kellyand#8217;s unique style, accompanies an enchanting exhibition opening at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, in April 2010. Sumptuously illustrated, the book introduces Graceand#8217;s glamorous wardrobe - dress by dress, couturier by couturier, among them Chanel, Madame Grand#232;s, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Balenciaga - as she transformed herself from actress to bride to princess.
About the Author
Valerie D. Mendes is a fashion and textiles historian who became Chief Curator of the former Textiles and Dress Department at the VandA. She has curated numerous exhibitions and published widely on 20th century dress and textiles.
Amy de la Haye is Reader of Fashion Curation and Material Culture, and joint Director of the M.A. in Fashion Curation at London College of Fashion. She also works as a writer and creative consultant and was formerly Curator of 20th Century Fashion at the VandA.