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.
Review
andquot;In the beautiful new book Haute Couture Ateliers: The Artisans of Fashion, you can go behind the scenes to tour the process of transforming designer dreams into exquisite finished creations...This is merely a peek into Handeacute;landegrave;le Farnaultandrsquo;s fascinating tome of haute couture crafts. From workshop insights to glorious couture gowns, this is a beautiful book to inspire and inform.andquot;
Review
andquot;This beautiful coffee table book by Handeacute;landegrave;ne Farnault goes backstage at the great couture houses. . . . Ever since this eye candy landed on the meeting table in the FLARE art department, productivity has gone on the decline.andquot;
Review
andquot;Easily getting lost in space, Haute Couture Ateliers will take you amongst embroidered stars, beaded planets, and gently drop you back to earth. Youand#39;ll only wish to return in haste to any of its pages for a few moments of cosmic bliss.andquot;
Review
andquot;andhellip;The book offers a rare start-to-finish glimpse into a world where dreams become reality, for these artisans are the people to whom fashionandrsquo;s top designers turn to make the impossible possible. As Handeacute;landegrave;ne Farnault writes, and#39;Whether their creations are restrained or daring, traditional or revolutionary, simple or luxurious, couturiers could not exist without craftspeopleandhellip;Equally the craftspeople could not exist without the designers. They are mutually dependent.and#39; Put another away: Itandrsquo;s the most beautifully successful codependent relationship weand#39;ve ever seen.andquot;
Review
andquot;This unfettered access to the best fashion artisans on the planet is a gift for any true fashion lover - and frankly, anyone remotely creative.andquot;
Review
andquot;This beautifully configured book, published in association with the Denver Art Museum, showcases the ageand#39;s luxurious accouterments alongside vintage photographs.andquot;
Review
andquot;Through splashy runway shots, sketches and studies, and behind-the-scenes photos, Farnault familiarizes readers with the most powerful couturiers of our time and the skilled artisans creating their designs.andquot;
Review
andquot;This book is a conversation piece that belongs on every fashionistaand#39;s coffee table.andrdquo;
Review
andquot;This lavishly illustrated volume sheds light on a subject that has not been widely written about in English-language books. Recommended for students of fashion as well as enthusiasts of fashion, especially of haute couture.andquot;
Review
andquot;Those fascinated by delicate craftsmanship might just have to eat this beautiful book up with a spoon. Itand#39;s a tribute to the skilled artisans who create the many details of a couture garment, and its photographs are stunning.andquot;
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
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.