Fashion in Paris and New York City during WWII
Empresses of Seventh Avenue
World War II, New York City, and the Birth of American Fashion
by Nancy MacDonell, August 27, 2024, St. Martin's Press, NetGalley
Description
Fashion historian and journalist Nancy MacDonell chronicles the untold story of how the Nazi invasion of France gave rise to the American fashion industry.
The fall of Paris to the Nazis in WWII had a profound effect on the French Legend, the belief that all women in Europe and America wanted only French couture and fashion. With Paris shut down and shut off during the war, American designers came into their own.
My comments:
When Paris was taken over by the Nazis in WWII, that famous capital of
high fashion began a decline that was filled by American couturiers who
had previously relied on the French to lead the way in fashion, no longer only copying
their styles and looking to Paris for their inspiration, Starting
September 1940, American designers began to shine on their own and by 1945 American fashion
began to rival that of France, and New York began to challenge Paris as the capital of high fashion.
This amazing historical novel on the growth and emergence of American
fashion shows the rise of "democratic" principles in the fashion world -
American designers began creating couture for all types of women.
Sportswear, ready-to-wear clothes, and mix and match outfits became the
new styles for America and signaled a new era of fashion.
This book tells the story of how the Americans could move forward
without Paris, for once disregarding the French Legend as the one and
only source of haute couture. The first American designers of note are the "empresses of Seventh Avenue." These included Eleanor Lambert, first superstar fashion publicist; Claire McCardell, creator of American sportswear; designer Elizabeth Hawes, among several others.
An important book for fashion lovers and for those interested in this
aspect of American history, the book details the lives and stories of
little remembered designers and couturiers in America who were important
to American fashion. A fascinating book that is well worth reading.
What are you reading/watching this week?
Memes: Paris in July 2024, The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves
Fashion historian and journalist Nancy MacDonell chronicles the untold story of how the Nazi invasion of France gave rise to the American fashion industry.
The fall of Paris to the Nazis in WWII had a profound effect on the French Legend, the belief that all women in Europe and America wanted only French couture and fashion. With Paris shut down and shut off during the war, American designers came into their own.
My comments:
When Paris was taken over by the Nazis in WWII, that famous capital of
high fashion began a decline that was filled by American couturiers who
had previously relied on the French to lead the way in fashion, no longer only copying
their styles and looking to Paris for their inspiration, Starting
September 1940, American designers began to shine on their own and by 1945 American fashion
began to rival that of France, and New York began to challenge Paris as the capital of high fashion.
This amazing historical novel on the growth and emergence of American
fashion shows the rise of "democratic" principles in the fashion world -
American designers began creating couture for all types of women.
Sportswear, ready-to-wear clothes, and mix and match outfits became the
new styles for America and signaled a new era of fashion.
This book tells the story of how the Americans could move forward
without Paris, for once disregarding the French Legend as the one and
only source of haute couture. The first American designers of note are the "empresses of Seventh Avenue." These included Eleanor Lambert, first superstar fashion publicist; Claire McCardell, creator of American sportswear; designer Elizabeth Hawes, among several others.
An important book for fashion lovers and for those interested in this
aspect of American history, the book details the lives and stories of
little remembered designers and couturiers in America who were important
to American fashion. A fascinating book that is well worth reading.
What are you reading/watching this week?
Memes: Paris in July 2024, The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves
I find it fascinating that it was only after the Nazis took over France that American fashion really became a thing. I bet this is a good book.
ReplyDeleteI will have to recommend this to my mother, who is a fashion aficionado. She loves Paris, as well, taking me when I was but 11. Never will I be as put together as she is. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing this work to our attention
ReplyDeleteSounds good! So who WERE the Empresses? Does the book focus on specific women?
ReplyDeleteEleanor Lambert, first superstar fashion publicist; Claire McCardell, creator of American sportswear; designer Elizabeth Hawes, among several others.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteOooh! This book sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Sunday Post and The Sunday Watch
Rabbit Ears Book Blog: WORLD’S WEIRDEST BOOK BLOG!
Presently reading 'Attack Warning Red! - How Britain Prepared for Nuclear War' by Julie McDowall. Next up will be 'Off The Map - Lost Spaces, Invisible Cities, Forgotten Islands, Feral Places and What They Tell Us About the World' by Alastair Bonnett.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fascinating story! Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteSounds fascinating!
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, your book is the 3rd this year in parisinjuly2024, do deal with fashion in history! It does sound excellent, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThis does sound fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI love history and WWII history especially--this is an interesting angle and fascinating. I will have to put this on the list.
ReplyDeleteThe links with history makes this a fascinating read.
ReplyDeleteI don't imagine this one's for me, but I really like the cover artwork. Very eye-catching cover that demands a second look.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fascinating read!
ReplyDelete