Paris Fashion: A Cultural History

by Valerie Steele

This beautifully illustrated new edition of Paris Fashion examines the history and culture of style in the fashion capital from the 14th century through to the present day.

Paris has been the international capital of fashion for more than 300 years. Even before the rise of the haute couture, Parisians were notorious for their obsession with fashion, and foreigners eagerly followed their lead. From Charles Frederick Worth to Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent, fashion history is dominated by the names of Parisian couturiers. But Valerie Steele's Paris Fashion is much more than just a history of great designers. This fascinating book demonstrates that the success of Paris ultimately rests on the strength of its fashion culture – created by a host of fashion performers and spectators, including actresses, dandies, milliners, artists, and writers.

First published in 1988 to great international acclaim, this pioneering book has now been completely revised and brought up to date, encompassing the rise of fashion's multiple world cities in the 21st century. Lavishly illustrated, deeply learned, and elegantly written, Valerie Steele's masterwork explores with brilliance and flair why Paris remains the capital of fashion.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, History, Fashion History, Art, France, Design

344 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 1988

About the author

Valerie Steele is director and chief curator and Melissa Marra is associate curator of education and public programs, both at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.

Reviews

[Kaelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Very well researched and so many beautiful pictures. A wonderful introduction to French fashion history and the social/cultural world of Paris over the years.

[marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for school

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buttressed by history, this analysis of the Paris fashion industry is breath-taking in the nearly 400 years that it covers ... from fashion plates in early women’s magazines to runway photos, the book argues for the preminence of Paris as the ultimate capital of haute couture ... splendid illustrations ...

[Mark Bieraugel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steele's work is a history not of Paris culture but rather how Paris became and remains the fashion center of the world. Written with humor and deep knowledge she brings in enough political history to make sense of the city's history of fashion. Well illustrated and carefully researched, an excellent addition to those interested in fashion and couture history.

[Mills College Library]

391.00944 S8145 2017

[reveurdart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Near perfect overview, and even better alongside the companion book, Paris, Capital of Fashion. Recommended.

[Elizabeth Judd Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, lavishly illustrated book in the history of fashion in Paris. It concentrates mainly on the 19th century, tho earlier & later eras are discussed as well.

[Brimmer Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive guide to Paris fashion and how it has the cultural capital of the fashion industry

[Carina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much of a survey work to be useful with too many tangents on the art side of fashion. There are also an insane number of block quotes.