The golden age of couture : Paris and London, 1947-57 / edited by Claire Wilcox.

Contributor(s):

Material type: Text

TextPublication details: London : V&A, 2007.Description: 224 p. : ill. (chiefly col.), ports. (some col.) ; 31 cmISBN:

9781851775200 (hbk.)
185177520X (hbk.)

Subject(s):

DDC classification:

391 WIL

Contents:

Dior\'s golden age : the renaissance of couture / Claire Wilcox -- Inside Paris haute couture / Alexandra Palmer -- Material evidence : London couture, 1947-57 / Amy de la Haye -- Perfect harmony : textile manufacturers and haute couture, 1947-57 / Lesley Ellis Miller -- Dior and Balenciaga : a different approach to the body / Catherine Join-Diéterle -- Cecil Beaton and his anthology of fashion / Hugo Vickers -- Intoxicated on images : the visual culture of couture / Christopher Breward -- The legacy of couture / Claire Wilcox.

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Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This lavish book focuses on Parisian and British couture between 1947 and 1957, a decade that Christian Dior described as fashion's 'golden age'. Dior's 'New Look' collection of 1947 shocked and delighted the fashion world, creating a style that symbolised a new femininity.The full skirts and hour glass silhouettes were considered highly decadent, synonymous with luxury and extravagance, in marked contrast to the austerity of the war years. Nevertheless, the 'New Look' caught the public imagination and ushered in a period of remarkable creativity.
The Golden Age of Couture features stunning gowns and exquisite tailoring from designers such as Balenciaga, Balmain, Hartnell and Dior as well as evocative photographs by the likes of Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Cecil Beaton.
This beautifully designed book explores couture from the post-war era to the global success of the major brands by the late 1950s, at which point fashion began to change, influenced by the 'youthquake' of the early 60s. The skill and craftsmanship of haute couture, the inner workings of the exclusive design houses, their clients and the inspiration behind some of the most famous styles of all time are revealed.

This book is published in conjuction with the exhibition The golden age of couture : Paris and London 1947-1957 at the V&A (22 September 2007-6 January 2008.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Claire Wilcox is senior curator of the Furniture, Textiles, and Fashion department at the Victoria and Albert Museum and lecturer at the London College of Fashion.