I’ve just ordered myself a new book. First book about fashion, design, costume, technique, etc. I’ve purchased in what seems way too long. It promises to be a truly wonderful addition to my library.
Madeleine Vionnet, by Betty Kirke, forward by Issey Miyake.
Description: Back in print at last, with a ravishing new cover, ‘Madeleine Vionnet’ is “not only the best book on Vionnet, but perhaps the best book ever on a fashion designer” (Out).
Madeleine Vionnet (1876 1975) was the greatest dressmaker in the world. Considered a genius for her innovations with the bias cut, the most difficult and desirable cut in clothing design, she has a fanatical following. Vionnet was a maverick, her results spectacular. She dressed the stars of the ’30s, invented new pattern-making techniques, and eschewed corsets for her models. Vionnet’s dresses are virtually un-copiable and highly coveted by vintage clothing collectors.
‘Madeleine Vionnet’ is the definitive study of this venerated artist. Illustrated with more than 400 photographs, line drawings, and watercolors, it also includes 38 original patterns for Vionnet dresses.
As the Art Deco Society of L.A.’s newsletter has said, anyone “interested in Art Deco or fashion must have this book.”
While I don’t consider Madeleine Vionnet the “greatest dressmaker in the world”, she is certainly near the top of my ‘favourites’ list, and she’s also one of the main designers that piqued my interest in Art Deco fashion. I was strictly a late (post 1865) Victorian era woman for many, many years.
Below the fold there are some of Vionnet’s designs, clicking the image will take you to their respective museum page. Be sure to check ‘Additional Views’ for more details.
Dress, 1917
Even better, because I had two gift cards, the book only cost me twenty-one dollars (shipping included!) from chapters.indigo. Yay!
