The Golden Age of Couture

A few posts back I mentioned that I had challenged my team to come up with some creative ideas for the blog. Reggie, our newest Shrimpton Couture team member, put together this little montage of pics for me from the book, The Golden Age of Couture, Paris and London 1947-57, edited by Claire Wilcox and published by the V&A. This just happens to be one of my favorite books written on vintage and if you do not already have a copy I highly recommend it.
My own dog-eared copy has been in my possession since 2007 when it was originally published in the hard cover format. Since then it has been released as a over sized soft cover and so is fairly inexpensive as far as fashion books go. The book covers the ten year period when Christian Dior reigned supreme, and the French & London Couturiers were in full glory. So many of the iconic design houses are touched upon and full chapters are devoted to the techniques that make couture what it is — embroidery, feathers and sequins abound — and the subject of the fabric behind couture is touched upon. The cultural impact of couture is looked at, as are profiles and stunning examples of the work of some of the greatest designers of the day — Jacques Fath, The house of Worth, Hardy Amies, Victor Stiebel, Jean Desses, Pierre Balmain, Cristobal Balenciaga, Nina Ricci and more.
Best is that it is chock full of page, after page, after page, of stunning photographs from that time period, archival drawing and fabric swatches, and of course, dress after stunning dress direct from the extensive V&A archives!
I have well over a hundred vintage fashion based books in my reference library and I can honestly say that I reach for this one often!
Have a couture & vintage filled day!xxx cherie