Synopses & Reviews
In 1947, Christian Diorand#8217;s and#147;New Lookand#8221; was greeted with both shock and delight, making headlines around the world. Accompanying the exhibition opening at the Victoria and Albert Museum in September 2007, this lavish book focuses on Parisian and British couture between 1947 and 1957, the decade Dior hailed as fashionand#8217;s and#147;golden age.and#8221;
The and#147;New Lookand#8221; symbolized a new femininity. The full skirts and hourglass silhouettes were considered highly decadent, synonymous with luxury and prosperity, in marked contrast to the austerity of the WWII years. Nevertheless, the and#147;New Lookand#8221; caught the public imagination and ushered in a period of remarkable creativity. The Golden Age of Couture features stunning gowns and exquisite tailoring from Dior as well as from such designers as Balenciaga, Balmain, and Givenchy, along with evocative photographs by the likes of Richard Avedon and Cecil Beaton.
This beautifully designed book reveals the skill and craftsmanship of haute couture along with the inner workings of the exclusive design houses, and the inspiration behind some of the most famous styles of all time.
Synopsis
In 1947, Christian Diors New Look was greeted with both shock and delight, making headlines around the world. First published to accompany the acclaimed exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2007, and now available in paperback, this lavish book focuses on Parisian and British couture between 1947 and 1957, the decade Dior hailed as fashions golden age. This sumptuous book offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of some of the worlds most exclusive fashion houses and reveals the inspiration, skill, and craftsmanship required to create these iconic styles. Stunning gowns and exquisite tailoring by Balenciaga, Balmain, Givenchy, and of course Dior, among others, are captured in photographs by Irving Penn, Cecil Beaton, and Richard Avedon. Also pictured are the legendary faces of the dayAudrey Hepburn, Margot Fonteyn, Queen Elizabeth II, and more. This book is a not-to-be missed delight.
Synopsis
This definitive publication on Alexander McQueen (1969andndash;2010) invites you into the creative mind and world of one of Britainandrsquo;s most brilliant, daring, and provocative designers, and the many themes and references that shaped his visionary fashion collections.
A true comprehensive study, this catalog is the first in-depth look at McQueen and explores key themes of the exhibitionandmdash;tailoring, gothic, primitivism, naturalism, and futurism. The book also features previously unseen material as well as groundbreaking essays and feature spreads by multiple authors and leading fashion commentators. This kaleidoscopic approach explores themes central to the designerandrsquo;s work and his collections, such as the psychology of fashion, natural history, the theatre and spectacle of his shows, and the key creative collaborators during McQueenandrsquo;s lifetime.
Alexander McQueen also offers an encyclopedic survey of McQueenandrsquo;s catwalk collections, illustrated with striking images by leading fashion photographers, and specially commissioned photographs that capture the breathtaking skill of his designs and awesome theatricality of his shows.
Synopsis
London Couture 1923andndash;1975 is the first book to examine, in detail, the luxurious garments produced by the rarefied London couture industryandmdash;from lavish ball gowns to sharply tailored suits, by way of spectacular royal dressandmdash;as well as the designers who conceived them, their clients, and the prestigious publications that promoted the andldquo;London Lookandrdquo; to the world. Experts have delved into the archives of prestigious designers, textile suppliers, and fashionable journals to bring together this pioneering study of the London fashion houses of the early-to-mid 20th century, renowned for their craftsmanship and attention to detail. A wealth of images supports the extensive researchandmdash;from beautiful features by celebrated photographer Norman Parkinson to the elegant illustrations of Francis Marshall, previously unseen garments, and historical photography that documents the houses of the great designers.
and#160;
This academically rigorous and beautiful publication is an original and essential statement on a crucial chapter in fashion.
About the Author
Claire Wilcox is Senior Curator in the VandAand#8217;s Textiles and Fashion department. She curated the highly successful exhibitions Vivienne Westwood, The Art and Craft of Gianni Versace, and Radical Fashion, and edited the accompanying books.