Jul 21, 2024

Empresses of Seventh Avenue by Nancy MacDonell: Historical Novel

 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

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
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Memes: Paris in July 2024,  The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated BookreviewerAlso, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves


18 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. I 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

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  3. Thanks for bringing this work to our attention

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  4. Sounds good! So who WERE the Empresses? Does the book focus on specific women?

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    1. Eleanor Lambert, first superstar fashion publicist; Claire McCardell, creator of American sportswear; designer Elizabeth Hawes, among several others.

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  5. Oooh! This book sounds interesting!

    Here’s my Sunday Post and The Sunday Watch

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  6. 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.

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  7. Sounds like a fascinating story! Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  8. Interestingly, your book is the 3rd this year in parisinjuly2024, do deal with fashion in history! It does sound excellent, thanks for sharing

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  9. This does sound fascinating!

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  10. This sounds very interesting!

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  11. I love history and WWII history especially--this is an interesting angle and fascinating. I will have to put this on the list.

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  12. The links with history makes this a fascinating read.

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  13. I don't imagine this one's for me, but I really like the cover artwork. Very eye-catching cover that demands a second look.

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  14. This sounds like a fascinating read!

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