What do you think?
Rate this book
Historia de la moda en 100 vestidos
Puede favorecer, seducir, cautivar, desconcertar, dividir y provocar. El vestido es el elemento de la moda que tiene mayor capacidad para capturar un momento específico en el tiempo, el espíritu de una generación o la indefinible energía de un icono de la moda. Desde la sencilla elegancia del Little Black Dress de Audrey Hepburn en Desayuno con diamantes , pasando por el interminable vestido de boda de Lady Di, promesa de un cuento de hadas romántico, hasta el extravagante vestido de carne de Lady Gaga, la ilustradora estadounidense de prestigio internacional Megan Hess rinde homenaje a los mejores momentos de esta pieza y nos lleva en un suntuoso paseo por la historia de la alta costura.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2014
19 people are currently reading
816 people want to read
About the author
Megan Hess
111 books242 followersMegan Hess was destined to draw.
An initial career in graphic design evolved into art direction for some of the world’s leading design agencies. In 2008 Hess illustrated the New York Times number one selling book Sex And The City - written by Candace Bushnell. She has since illustrated portraits for Vanity Fair and Time, created iconic accessories for Henri Bendel and illustrated the windows of Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
Hess’s signature style can also be found on her bespoke range of silk scarves, cushions and Limited Edition prints sold around the globe.
She has written and illustrated 3 best selling books: Fashion House, The Dress and Coco Chanel.
Her renowned clients include: Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Yves Saint Laurent, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Fendi, Ladurée, Givenchy, Wedgwood, Salvatore Ferragamo, Michelle Obama, Cartier, Laduree, Montblanc, Balenciaga, Guerlain, Paspaley, Tag Heuer, and Disney.
An initial career in graphic design evolved into art direction for some of the world’s leading design agencies. In 2008 Hess illustrated the New York Times number one selling book Sex And The City - written by Candace Bushnell. She has since illustrated portraits for Vanity Fair and Time, created iconic accessories for Henri Bendel and illustrated the windows of Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
Hess’s signature style can also be found on her bespoke range of silk scarves, cushions and Limited Edition prints sold around the globe.
She has written and illustrated 3 best selling books: Fashion House, The Dress and Coco Chanel.
Her renowned clients include: Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Yves Saint Laurent, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Fendi, Ladurée, Givenchy, Wedgwood, Salvatore Ferragamo, Michelle Obama, Cartier, Laduree, Montblanc, Balenciaga, Guerlain, Paspaley, Tag Heuer, and Disney.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 24, 2014
4.5
This is such a beautiful book, inside and out. Over all I think there could have been slightly more information on the dresses however enough information is given. Now I will go in to a little more detail but still no spoilers.
The Cover - the cover of this book is stunning. It suggests pure glamour and style. It is mainly black and white with a solid black back cover with white writing and a gold title. The front is a woman from hips to head wearing a big black flowing dress, neck jewels and swooping blond hair like Grace Kelly, she is also surrounded in fashionable items. The title again is a shining gold and the models lips are baby pink. The binding features the gold title and the Tom Ford dress.lastly the edges of the paper are gold and the front and back cover uses a layered black white and gold border. The internal cover is also very nice displaying illustrations of other dresses (most not included in the top 100)
The Illustrations - this is what the book is all about, they are beautiful and capture both the wearer and the dress perfectly. It brings out the energy of the dress and the movement it makes. One illustration that really stands out to me is Amy Adams Oscar De La Renta dress which has a beautiful texture to it and looks phenomenal.Just flicking through this book is a pure joy. However I think she could have sketches a zoomed section of some of the dresses to show a little more detail.
The Content - I think the content of this book is great there is one section of writing with every illustration displayed on a double page spread. However I think there could have been a little more writing involved. Maybe the price the dress sold for or the inspiration behind the design for every dress (some dresses do have this information).I also like the way the book is split up in to chapters (Designers, Icons, Weddings, Music, Film, Oscars). Also includes an introduction and author information.
Finished reading the same day I bought the book.
This is such a beautiful book, inside and out. Over all I think there could have been slightly more information on the dresses however enough information is given. Now I will go in to a little more detail but still no spoilers.
The Cover - the cover of this book is stunning. It suggests pure glamour and style. It is mainly black and white with a solid black back cover with white writing and a gold title. The front is a woman from hips to head wearing a big black flowing dress, neck jewels and swooping blond hair like Grace Kelly, she is also surrounded in fashionable items. The title again is a shining gold and the models lips are baby pink. The binding features the gold title and the Tom Ford dress.lastly the edges of the paper are gold and the front and back cover uses a layered black white and gold border. The internal cover is also very nice displaying illustrations of other dresses (most not included in the top 100)
The Illustrations - this is what the book is all about, they are beautiful and capture both the wearer and the dress perfectly. It brings out the energy of the dress and the movement it makes. One illustration that really stands out to me is Amy Adams Oscar De La Renta dress which has a beautiful texture to it and looks phenomenal.Just flicking through this book is a pure joy. However I think she could have sketches a zoomed section of some of the dresses to show a little more detail.
The Content - I think the content of this book is great there is one section of writing with every illustration displayed on a double page spread. However I think there could have been a little more writing involved. Maybe the price the dress sold for or the inspiration behind the design for every dress (some dresses do have this information).I also like the way the book is split up in to chapters (Designers, Icons, Weddings, Music, Film, Oscars). Also includes an introduction and author information.
Finished reading the same day I bought the book.
February 7, 2017
This book has a lot of beautiful designer dresses. I give this book 5 stars.
April 21, 2021
I'm not that into fashion, but this book is magnificent, I love how the author divided the dresses into categories and brought a little bit of history and personal opinion in each of them.
Also, the drawings are marvelous.
Beautiful book
Also, the drawings are marvelous.
Beautiful book
February 21, 2025
Heerlijk, 100 pagina's lang genieten van prachtige illustraties en stijlvolle vrouwen.
September 30, 2025
I want to read, and look at, every book Megan Hess makes. This was again gorgeous. I absolutely love everything bridal so the wedding section was perfect for me. I loved every page!
June 15, 2023
Precioso libro sobre los 100 vestidos más icónicos de los siglos XX y XXI. Es muy bonito por dentro y por fuera y nos habla de moda, diseñadores, novias, estrellas del cine y la música, etc.
September 5, 2022
So…It was disappointing.
The thing is that art, in its many forms, is subjective. Meaning fashion is subjective. What I find iconic you might not. Therefore this book should be titled “The dress: 100 iconic moments in fashion (From the perspective of Megan Hess)
It’s also difficult to make a book from the perspective of so many people!
I am not trashing the illustrations or the writing style but the content. The illustrations were amazing! Megan Hess is indeed talented!
I mean if we would count, there would be about…hm…30-40 actual iconic dresses in the whole book. I mean they are so so SO random. I don’t understand why so many people were repeated. Surely there are 100 people?
The first chapter was about designers and her favorite dresses from them. It’s just bizarre.
Many weren’t iconic, many were simply plain and quite ugly.
There could be so much to put in a book like this but instead, it was a waste.
Liked the writing style, but hated the content.
Do not recommend.
A quick read which is a plus!
:(
The thing is that art, in its many forms, is subjective. Meaning fashion is subjective. What I find iconic you might not. Therefore this book should be titled “The dress: 100 iconic moments in fashion (From the perspective of Megan Hess)
It’s also difficult to make a book from the perspective of so many people!
I am not trashing the illustrations or the writing style but the content. The illustrations were amazing! Megan Hess is indeed talented!
I mean if we would count, there would be about…hm…30-40 actual iconic dresses in the whole book. I mean they are so so SO random. I don’t understand why so many people were repeated. Surely there are 100 people?
The first chapter was about designers and her favorite dresses from them. It’s just bizarre.
Many weren’t iconic, many were simply plain and quite ugly.
There could be so much to put in a book like this but instead, it was a waste.
Liked the writing style, but hated the content.
Do not recommend.
A quick read which is a plus!
:(
October 12, 2022
Las ilustraciones son preciosos. Los datos... bueno, no sé qué entiende esta mujer por Historia de la moda la verdad. Aún así lo he disfrutado (Sobretodo por las ilustraciones que son bellísimas, esta mujer tiene mucho talento en ilustrar sin duda.)
December 20, 2016
All my favourite ladies wearing gorgeous dresses!
June 27, 2023
Es un libro bastante bueno para aprender un poco más sobre la moda, lo explica todo muy bien y en muy poco texto está muy bien dividido en 6 secciones que comprenden las ocasiones para las que se han utilizado esos vestidos que aparecen como Diseñadores, Novias, Música, Cine, Oscars y etc... Tiene unas ilustraciones excepcionales y que son super bonitas y no pierden ningún detalle, no es ni el primer ni el último libro que me leo de esta autora. Me ha encantado y recomiendo tanto este como el otro libro de esta autora que me he leído que es "Elegancia, los maestros de la moda francesa" en el que explica muy bien la trayectoria y la historia de 10 marcas francesas de alta costura añadiendo frases de los diseñadores y directores creativos que han pasado por ella, una pequeña biografía de los creadores de cada marca e ilustraciones de los diseños más icónicos o los favoritos de la ilustradora y escritora Megan Hess
RECOMENDADÍSIMOS 🤩🤩🤩
RECOMENDADÍSIMOS 🤩🤩🤩
June 28, 2025
I usually don’t “read” illustrated books, but Megan Hess creates real art.
I think I have splurged on all of her books by now - both adult and kids ones.
This is one of my favorite ones.
She’s a constant source of inspiration for me.
If you’re into fashion or beautiful things - I highly recommend filling at least one small shelf with some of her creations. They’re the kind of books you will always want to return to!
PS she’s the artist behind the original Sex and the City book cover!
I think I have splurged on all of her books by now - both adult and kids ones.
This is one of my favorite ones.
She’s a constant source of inspiration for me.
If you’re into fashion or beautiful things - I highly recommend filling at least one small shelf with some of her creations. They’re the kind of books you will always want to return to!
PS she’s the artist behind the original Sex and the City book cover!
September 23, 2017
There are no words to explain this... being a fahsion freak, this meets my very high standards. The illustration of every little detail is incredible and the little blurbs next to each dress are inforamtive and accurate. I also reccomend the other book Megan Hess wrote about the fabulous life of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel.
January 11, 2018
A stunning tribute to 100 iconic dresses.
I happened to pick this off my daughter’s bookcase and soon understood why Megan Hess is one of her favorite illustrators.
Ms. Hess captures the glamour, the fun, and the personality of each frock and in text she explains a bit of the story behind each creation.
If you appreciate fashion, art, or both you will love this amazing work.
I happened to pick this off my daughter’s bookcase and soon understood why Megan Hess is one of her favorite illustrators.
Ms. Hess captures the glamour, the fun, and the personality of each frock and in text she explains a bit of the story behind each creation.
If you appreciate fashion, art, or both you will love this amazing work.
October 2, 2019
This book was visually stunning! The dresses mentioned were beautiful and I enjoyed guessing the celebrity based on their face prior to flipping over the page in full to reveal the blurb. Found it a bit annoying that there was a lot of repetition in terms of celebrities mentioned, but the gorgeous illustrations saved it for me :)
December 21, 2020
Beautifully illustrated and bound, this book is a pleasure to hold in your hands. As for the content, the assortment of categories and designers is fairly comprehensive but there’s not much information there. I wish the blurbs were more insightful and less time was spent discussing the starlet and the occasion and more on the actual dress and designer.
January 11, 2021
Los diseños me enamoraron, porque los ves en el boceto y si luego puedes buscarlos en Internet y ves que han quedado exactamente como el diseñador quería. Otra cosa que también me gusta es el hecho que te venga la historia al lado y cuando fueron diseñados, porque te da una idea de lo que se llevaba en la época, de lo recomiendo a todo el mundo que le interese el mundo de la moda.
July 13, 2025
I have quite a few of Megan Hess books - and whilst I love the concept - I think my time for loving these sorts of brief but beautifully illustrated books is over.
The content is too brief, and as it is illustrated, rather than photographs - I feel you lose the imagery of the dresses. Also some of the categories and dresses chosen - their have been so many iconic dresses.
It also only stays with western fashion - and doesn't touch upon other cultures and their obvious impact on some of these amazing dresses, which is a shame.
Further, nearly every dress chosen are evening dresses and not day time. I feel as there are a few iconic fashion moments outside of dresses.
Overall, I want more meat, or more photos for me to truly love a fashion book such as these.
The content is too brief, and as it is illustrated, rather than photographs - I feel you lose the imagery of the dresses. Also some of the categories and dresses chosen - their have been so many iconic dresses.
It also only stays with western fashion - and doesn't touch upon other cultures and their obvious impact on some of these amazing dresses, which is a shame.
Further, nearly every dress chosen are evening dresses and not day time. I feel as there are a few iconic fashion moments outside of dresses.
Overall, I want more meat, or more photos for me to truly love a fashion book such as these.
September 6, 2018
Where was JLaw’s 2013 Oscars gown!? Several illustrations seemed to be reused when the actress/model/singer appeared in a different featured dress. Limited inspirations and boring mentions (sex and the city references galore). Quite disappointing. 3/5
November 15, 2018
Possibly the most aesthetically pleasing book I have ever read. It is a tribute to the significant moments in fashion history, and the illustrations by the author/illustrator Megan Hess are just so stunning.
January 28, 2022
4,5☆
I didn't understand all the terms and didn't know all the named people but that is also partly my fault. This book contains gorgeous illustrations. I really would read in/watch at more of Megan's stuff
I didn't understand all the terms and didn't know all the named people but that is also partly my fault. This book contains gorgeous illustrations. I really would read in/watch at more of Megan's stuff
June 4, 2023
I finished this some time ago but I didn’t update it. Overall this book was really informative in the fun way. It talked about some of my favorite designer brands and women icons. I really liked reading this
January 26, 2018
A nice coffee table book about the iconic dresses in fashion. Beautiful illustrations and a pretty cover
September 30, 2018
Beautiful illustrated book featuring some of the most memorable dresses! My favorites, definitely Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn!
November 23, 2018
Gorgeous to flip through but the words weren't as magical as the illustrations.
October 29, 2019
Megan Hess is fantastic with the details on the book, the pictures & writing making the book look & feel luxurious. It’s a true fashion book to add to the fashion collection. Love Megan Hess work.
March 20, 2020
This book is AMAZING! The illustrations were stunning and the book was well organized! Must have for anyone who enjoys fashion!
May 28, 2020
A beautiful book full of fabulous drawings by Megan Hess - it's lovely and great inspiration for fashion drawing.
November 17, 2020
Good illustrations and a light easy read.
January 6, 2021
Stunning as usual, Megan Hess books are a thing of beauty.
May 7, 2021
Megan Hess' books are phenomenal! The illustrations are gorgeous, and the books feel so substantial and luxurious. I highly recommend this book to fashion lovers and costume designers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews