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The House of Worth, 1858-1954

The Birth of Haute Couture
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( 82 ratings, 8 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Arriving in Paris in 1845 with scant resources, Charles Frederick Worth established the most prestigious and innovative fashion house of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Inspired by fine art and luxurious fabrics, Worth revolutionised fashion by dictating new styles to elite clients in his opulent rue de la Paix salons. These included unique departments such as sportswear and maternity wear, alongside exclusive rooms dedicated to silk, velvet and brocade, and a specially designed salon with lighting tailored for trying on evening gowns.

The House of Worth, 1858-1954 showcases this legacy through a chronological presentation enriched with striking ensembles, detailed photographs revealing expert craftsmanship, paintings, and archival documents from family collections and major fashion museums worldwide.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for enthusiasts of fashion history, art and culture scholars, and anyone captivated by the evolution of haute couture and the legacy of its pioneering figure.

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The first illustrated monograph dedicated to the history of the House of Worth, the world’s first haute couture house, founded by Charles Frederick Worth in Paris in 1858.

The first illustrated monograph dedicated to the history of the House of Worth, the world's first haute couture house

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Arriving in Paris in 1845, at the age of twenty and with only a few francs in his pocket, Charles Frederick Worth would go on to build the most prominent, innovative and successful fashion house of the century. Worth was inspired by a love of fine art, luxurious fabrics and his vision of the female ideal. He was the first to set out to dictate new styles and silhouettes to his elite clientele — not the other way around — hosting them in his rue de la Paix salons.

These salons included ground-breaking 'sportswear' and 'maternity' departments, as well as silk, velvet and brocade rooms. There was also a special salon with closed shutters and gas lighting, designed to allow clients to try on ball gowns in lighting conditions precisely matched to those of the event.

Organised chronologically and illustrated with striking ensembles, The House of Worth includes photographs of details that reveal the garments' intricate construction and craftsmanship. Paintings and documents are sourced from both private family archives and the best fashion collections from museums around the world. The House of Worth is an inspiring tribute to the house that started it all.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Business of Fashion calls it 'engaging and almost encyclopaedic' with 'a story brilliantly told'. The Daily Telegraph describes it as 'sumptuous', while The Lady praises it as 'the definitive account' of Worth's influential life and work. Country Life simply labels it 'lavish'.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780500519431

Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 09 November 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Illustration: 162 Illustrations, black and white; 324 Illustrations, color

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 235.0mm

Height: 310.0mm

Weight: 2300g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Chantal Trubert-Tollu is Charles Frederick Worth’s great, great-granddaughter. Françoise Tétart-Vittu, a former curator at the Palais Galliera, is one of the world’s foremost experts on 19th-century dress. Fabrice Olivieri is an independent perfumer who has been researching the history of 19th-century style and the Second Empire for many years. Jean-Marie Martin-Hattemberg is an expert on the history of perfume and cosmetics, on which he has written several books.

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