More than 150,000 people work in haute couture. Many of them labour behind the scenes, applying their talents in ateliers devoted to creativity and meticulous attention to detail. This beautiful book takes the reader behind the fashion scenes, allowing the best haute couture designers, embroiderers, leather craftsmen, lacemakers, perfumiers and jewelers to share their work. The books specially taken photographs show step-by-step the complex processes behind the creation of each piece of clothing or jewelry, while many other stunning pictures capture the beauty of the fabrics, materials, dresses and ornaments.

From Maison Chanel on rue Cambon to Jean Paul Gaultier on rue Saint-Martin, the history of French fashion is often closely tied to those of Parisian addresses. With exclusive photographs by Guillaume de Laubier and text by Désirée Sadek, Inside Haute Couture offers a private tour of 10 meccas of French fashion. From the splendor of VIP reception rooms to the privacy of sewing ateliers, the daily lives of the most renowned figures in haute couture are show­cased alongside the skilled artisans and their stunning creations. This book is an unprecedented journey into a world often closed to the public, against a backdrop of an exceptional architectural heritage.

A stunning exploration of fashion's premier art form with internationally renowned illustrator Megan Hess. Hundreds of hours, many expert hands and unimaginable metres of fabric: couture is truly wearable art, where creativity and craftsmanship collide. Megan Hess has spent her career documenting fashion's most beautiful people, places and pieces. In The Illustrated World of Couture, she brings to life its most important - and intriguing - art form, with fascinating insights and exceptional illustrations. Worn by only a handful of people worldwide, couture still has incredible influence, even beyond the traditional boundaries of fashion. In this unique collection, follow Megan through the intricate details, multifaceted inspirations and dramatic shows that define the couture experience. Let her introduce you to the generations of creators who conceive and craft these fantastical garments, and the collectors who treasure them. And travel with her to the exclusive ateliers and glamorous events of the world's fashion capitals to see how couture is both designed and displayed. Megan Hess invites you to discover The Illustrated World of Couture in this essential volume for all fashion devotees.

Milestones of the Dior look from 1947 to now In celebration of Dior's 70th anniversary and produced in close collaboration with the House of Dior, one of the world's most prestigious couture houses, this beautiful publication features garments designed by Christian Dior Couture between 1947 and 2017 and more than 100 stunning images. The House of Diorexplores the story of the fashion house through a series of themes, featuring works by the seven designers who have played key roles in shaping Dior's renowned fashionable silhouette: Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri. It narrates Dior's rich history, including Christian Dior's early influences, insights into the Dior atelier workrooms, the role that accessories and perfume have played in expressing the complete Dior look and the milestones of its six successive designers following Dior's sudden death in 1957. Highlights include examples from Christian Dior's iconic spring 1947 New Look collection, magnificent displays of Dior's signature ball gowns and evening dresses, as well as designs from the inaugural couture collection of the House's first female head designer, Maria Grazia Chiuri. Sumptuous in its design, this large-format hardback is led by full-page photography of works, and historical and contextual imagery. Writers include leading fashion writer Lydia Kamitsis and curators Katie Somerville and Danielle Whitfield.

A comprehensive history of high fashion in Paris from Madame Grès and Balenciaga to Yves Saint Laurent and Yohji Yamamoto, spanning all aspects from clothing and accessories to perfume. Ever since Charles Frederick Worth dressed the Empress Eugénie in the 1860s, launching a "golden century" for dressmaking, Parisian haute couture has been a source of endless admiration and fascination. Its emphasis on exquisite design and meticulous craftsmanship propelled it to the forefront of the fashion industry. The position and practices of haute couture may have evolved over time, but the work of many contemporary couturiers reveals a strong sense of continuity, from the creations of Jeanne Lanvin and Christian Dior, through to their modern counterparts in Jean-Paul Gaultier or Viktor & Rolf. This chronological study traces the history of the esteemed couture houses of Paris, examining the role of the designer and the extraordinary craftsmanship behind the finished creations, the place of haute couture in Parisian culture, and its influence in the wider fashion industry. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between haute couture and the client, as well as the dualities in modern haute couture—its sense of exclusivity and quasi-mythical aura countered by an ever-increasing reach into popular consciousness and attainability. This volume is richly illustrated with images of the most superb pieces created by exceptional designers. Various incarnations of Chanel’s timeless quilted handbag, Fath’s charmingly patterned silk scarves, and Poiret’s elegant perfume bottles demonstrate that haute couture encompasses far more than just clothing.

A sparkling life of the monumental fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga When Cristóbal Balenciaga died in 1972, the news hit the front page of The New York Times. One of the most innovative and admired figures in the history of haute couture, Balenciaga was, said Schiaparelli, “the only designer who dares do what he likes.” He was, said Christian Dior,“the master of us all.” But despite his extraordinary impact, Balenciaga was a man hidden from view. Unlike today’s celebrity designers, he saw to it that little was known about him, to the point that some French journalists wondered if he existed at all. Even his most notable and devoted clients—Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, a clutch of Rothschilds—never met him. But one woman knew Balenciaga very well indeed. The first person he hired when he opened his Paris house (then furnished with only a table and a stool) was Florette Chelot, who became his top vendeuse—as much an adviser as a saleswoman. She witnessed the spectacular success of his first collection, and they worked closely for more than thirty years, until 1968, when Balenciaga abruptly closed his house without telling any of his staff. Youth-oriented fashion was taking over, Paris was in upheaval, and the elder statesman wanted no part of it. In The Master of Us All , Mary Blume tells the remarkable story of the man and his house through the eyes of the woman who knew him best. Intimate and revealing, this is an unprecedented portrait of a designer whose vision transformed an industry but whose story has never been told until now.

Couture Sewing Techniques presents the finest sewing techniques in the world as they're actually practiced in couture workrooms.

The first illustrated monograph dedicated to the history of the House of Worth, the world’s pioneering haute couture label 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. He was inspired by a love of fine art, luxurious fabrics, and his vision of the female ideal, and was the first to set out to dictate new styles and silhouettes to his elite clientele— not the other way around. He hosted them in his rue de la Paix salons, which included groundbreaking sportswear and maternity departments as well as silk, velvet, and brocade rooms, and 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 at which they would be worn. Organized chronologically and illustrated with striking ensembles, paintings, and documents 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.

The history of Dior as seen through the mythical Parisian address of 30, avenue Montaigne, home to the House’s headquarters and ateliers. Celebrating 30, avenue Montaigne, this sophisticated volume—published on the occasion of the House’s 75th anniversary in 2022—presents the public and unseen life of the iconic headquarters. Located in the heart of Paris’s posh Triangle d’Or, 30, avenue Montaigne has been linked to the House of Dior’s story since 1946. Christian Dior chose this hôtel particulier to establish his couture house and present his collections, including the inaugural 1947 fashion show that marked the New Look era’s debut. Since then, Christian Dior and his successors—from Yves Saint Laurent to Maria Grazia Chiuri—have designed and created all the House’s collections here. 30, avenue Montaigne is where the ateliers are still based, making it a fabled address of Parisian haute couture. With emblematic images of Christian Dior working in his design studio, fitting sessions, and backstage fashion shows; archival documents; and a breathtaking portfolio of Dior creations, readers will discover 30, avenue Montaigne’s spirit throughout the decades while heralding its future.

An extraordinary book celebrating the unique connection between the House of Dior and the United States. Published on the occasion of the retrospective staged at the Brooklyn Museum, this new title chronicles the history of the House of Dior from 1947, when Chris-tian Dior heralded the birth of a new era of elegance with his revolutionary New Look, to the present day, with a special focus on the House’s legacy in America. Featuring a sophisticated Swiss binding, this book presents the exhibition’s highlights with creations by Christian Dior and the artistic directors who succeeded him: Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. Captured by artist Katerina Jebb, some of the House’s most legendary designs are displayed in highly unique images. A portfolio of iconic photographs by American masters—including Richard Avedon, Cass Bird, Henry Clarke, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Zoë Ghertner, Ethan James Green, Tyler Mitchell, Irving Penn, and many more—underscores Dior’s undeniable cultural influence.