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Evening Dress
Be a caterpillar by day and a butterfly by night, counseled the legendary designer Coco Chanel. Nothing could be more comfortable than a caterpillar, and nothing could be more made for love than a butterfly. This high priestess of style understood what the well-dressed woman has always There's something special that goes on after dark.
While daywear must be practical, versatile,
and appropriate, the evening is open for interpretation, offering designers the rare opportunity to indulge their imagination and sense of festiveness and frivolity. A tribute to fashion's highest art, Evening Dress chronicles glamorous attire from ancient times up to the latest season, featuring photographs and sketches of hundreds of exquisite gowns. A celebration of this most elegant form of the sartorial arts, this lavish edition will engage, amuse, and inspire.
While daywear must be practical, versatile,
and appropriate, the evening is open for interpretation, offering designers the rare opportunity to indulge their imagination and sense of festiveness and frivolity. A tribute to fashion's highest art, Evening Dress chronicles glamorous attire from ancient times up to the latest season, featuring photographs and sketches of hundreds of exquisite gowns. A celebration of this most elegant form of the sartorial arts, this lavish edition will engage, amuse, and inspire.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 13, 2004
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August 19, 2010
First off this is a heavy and awkward book to hold! What's inside, though, is really cool. Normally I'm not big on "modern" fashion. My interest fades after the 1920's and after the 1940s I pretty much don't pay attention any more. The opening section traces the history of "evening" wear or special occasion wear and while only a brief overview it was good. Subsequent sections cover the 20s, 30s, 50s, 60s/70s, 80s/90s citing social trends and attitude changes toward clothing. Each section includes photos & fashion sketches from the era as well as more recent designs that take inspiration from the earlier traditions & concepts.
The only thing that irritated me was the frequent description of a seminal design in the text but no illustration of that design or the mention of a prominent designer but no pictures of his/her work. In my opinion there were too many current designs shown and not enough of the period examples.
I have never owned an "evening gown" in my life since I avoided all proms and have never had occasion for formal dining, dancing or events [although I once went to a bicentennial ball in 1776 attire that I made myself!:] so my interest in this book was purely historical. I do confess that I love Project Runway and enjoy looking at the more fantasy-like creations such as on the book's cover. This book would be helpful to anyone interested in fashion, fashion design, fashion photography or who just likes pretty [and some not so pretty:] clothing.
The only thing that irritated me was the frequent description of a seminal design in the text but no illustration of that design or the mention of a prominent designer but no pictures of his/her work. In my opinion there were too many current designs shown and not enough of the period examples.
I have never owned an "evening gown" in my life since I avoided all proms and have never had occasion for formal dining, dancing or events [although I once went to a bicentennial ball in 1776 attire that I made myself!:] so my interest in this book was purely historical. I do confess that I love Project Runway and enjoy looking at the more fantasy-like creations such as on the book's cover. This book would be helpful to anyone interested in fashion, fashion design, fashion photography or who just likes pretty [and some not so pretty:] clothing.
Displaying 1 of 1 review