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An exploration of how French culture during the reign of Louis XIV has had an enduring influence on modern traditions and style cites the French origins of haute cuisine, interior design, and the consumption of celebratory champagne.
What makes fashionistas willing to pay a small fortune for a particular designer accessory -- a luxe handbag, for example? Why is it that people all over the world share the conviction that a special occasion only becomes really special when a champagne cork pops -- and even more special when that cork comes from a bottle of Dom Pérignon? Why are diamonds the status symbol gemstone, instantly signifying wealth, power, and even emotional commitment? One of the foremost authorities on seventeenth-century French culture provides the answer to these and other fascinating questions in her account of how, at one glittering moment in history, the French under Louis XIV set the standards of sophistication, style, and glamour that still rule our lives today. Joan DeJean explains how a handsome and charismatic young king with a great sense of style and an even greater sense of history decided to make both himself and his country legendary. When the reign of Louis XIV began, his nation had no particular association with elegance, yet by its end, the French had become accepted all over the world as the arbiters in matters of taste and style and had established a dominance in the luxury trade that continues to this day. DeJean takes us back to the birth of haute cuisine, the first appearance of celebrity hairdressers, chic cafes, nightlife, and fashion in elegant dress that extended well beyond the limited confines of court circles. And Paris was the magical center -- the destination of travelers all across Europe. As the author observes, without the Sun King's program for redefining France as the land of luxury and glamour, there might never have been a Stork Club, a Bergdorf Goodman, a Chez Panisse, or a Cristophe of Beverly Hills -- and President Clinton would never have dreamed of holding Air Force One on the tarmac of LAX for an hour while Cristophe worked his styling genius on the president's hair. Written with wit, dash, and élan by an author who knows this astonishing true story better than virtually anyone, The Essence of Style will delight fans of history and everybody who wonders about the elusive definition of good taste.
An account of how the French in the 17th-century under Louis XIV set the standards of sophistication, style, & glamour that still rule our lives today. Explains how a handsome young king with a great sense of style decided to make both himself & his country legendary. By the end of the reign of Louis XIV, the French had become accepted all over the world as the arbiters in matters of taste & style & had established a dominance in the luxury trade that continues to this day. Takes us back to the birth of haute cuisine, the first appearance of celebrity hairdressers, chic cafes, nightlife, & fashion in elegant dress that extended well beyond the limited confines of court circles. And Paris was the center -- the destination of travelers all across Europe. Illus.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Celebrity model Inès de la Fressange shares the well-kept secrets of how Parisian women maintain effortless glamour and a timeless allure. Inès de la Fressange—France’s icon of chic—shares her personal tips for living with style and charm, gleaned from decades in the fashion industry. She offers specific pointers on how to dress like a Parisian, including how to mix affordable basics with high-fashion touches, and how to accessorize. Her step-by-step do’s and don’ts are accompanied by fashion photography, and the book is personalized with her charming drawings. Inès also shares how to bring Parisian chic into your home, and how to insert your signature style into any space—even the office. The ultrachic volume is wrapped with a three-quarter-height removable jacket and features offset aquarelle paper and a ribbon page marker. Complete with her favorite addresses for finding the ultimate fashion and decorating items, this is a must-have for any woman who wants to add a touch of Paris to her own style.
Evaluates the First Lady's emergence as a style icon and her growing influence on a changing American understanding of etiquette and femininity, in an illustrated account that also tours the cultural contributions of previous First Ladies. 60,000 first printing.
Documents the century-long transformation of Paris from a medieval center to the modern city that is recognized today, revealing how the Parisian urban model was actually invented in the 1700s when period leaders tore down fortifications, created public parks and constructed streets and bridges. 25,000 first printing.
Showcasing his singular approach to looking great, iconic fashion guru Isaac Mizrahi begins with the premise that all women should wear what inspires them. Using 12 women facing real wardrobe dilemmas, Mizrahi walks readers through the fundamentals of finding a personal style that reflects their authentic selves. Other features include a personal fashion questionnaire, hundreds of fashion tips on everything from clothes and accessories to skincare and makeup and a guide to becoming a collector, not just a shopper.
While the DNA of Parisian style for women has been dissected from all angles, this volume that offers a complete and practical guide to style for all men, as analyzed by Ines de la Fressange. Discerning style maven, model, and designer Ines de la Fressange has at last turned her attention to men--offering her famously fail-proof sartorial advice gleaned from the most stylish men in her entourage.
The author of "My French Life" returns with a breathtaking, full-color tour of the culture and style unique to Provence. Now fully at home in this magnificent corner of the world, she brings a guide for celebrating and re-creating Provenal ambiance.
Describes top trends and designers of the past fifty years, including their social and cultural contexts