A selectively curated overview of the little black dress in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, organized by Vogue contributing editor and fashion force André Leon Talley and published on the occasion of an exhibition at the SCAD Museum of Art (Savannah College of Art and Design), André Leon Talley Gallery. Featuring an impeccably selected group of about sixty dresses from many of the most eminent fashion houses, the book is a celebratory tribute to the iconic little black dress and its deeply resonant cultural and social significance in the modern era. Defined by the simplest parameters—color and shape—yet voluminous in possibility, the little black dress is personalized by the designer who imagined it and the woman who wears it. In one silhouette it can capture a woman's allure, and in one evening worn provide her with a reservoir of memories. It can sum up in one wardrobe reconnaissance the way you wore the way you were. A little black dress in any other color could dent a reputation; in black it can only elevate one. Whether made from the most superior fabrics, or designed in cutting-edge neoprene, the little black dress maintains its status as the game-changer, the free spirit and pleasure-seeker (Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy in Breakfast at Tiffany's), the career-launcher (Elizabeth Hurley in Versace), the going-for-broke risk-taker (Virginie Gautreau as Madame X), inevitably revealing truths about the women who have chosen to wear one. Three original essays offer personal histories in praise of the little black dress. An introduction by André Leon Talley and a foreword by Paula Wallace complete this exquisite volume. Together with a stunning collection of images, this book presents a singularly elegant portfolio.

An essential piece of clothing in a woman's closet, the little black dress has maintained its popularity thought all trends because it is always the "right" thing to wear. It is a timeless classic and all great designers have created their own variation. Didier Ludot owns the most famous vintage clothing store in Paris, the fashion capital of the world. The store, La Petit Robe Noire, is housed in the prestigious Palais Royal, just steps away from the Louvre. Ludot has meticulously built and maintained a collection of black dresses, which features designs by Chanel, Balmain, Balenciaga, and Gaultier, among others. Photographs of these dresses are juxtaposed with archive photos of Romy Schneider, Catherine Deneuve, Jeanne Moreau, Sofia Loren, Edith Piaf, Paloma Picasso, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor - all in their black dress finest. Ludot's collection is a delightful tour of the black dress from yesterday to today.

In the spirit of Anne Lamott and Nora Ephron comes Janze's hilarious and moving memoir about a woman who returns home to her close-knit Mennonite family after a personal crisis.

“[A] stylishly presented collection of sewing patterns for 10 LBDs; O’Shea also shows how each pattern can be adapted to another look.” —Publishers Weekly Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly . . . Each of these women had an influential take on the most classic wardrobe staple of all: the Little Black Dress. In this chic sewing book, patternmaker Dolin Bliss O’Shea pulls inspiration from famous LBDs throughout history—including Mary Quant’s mod mini, a classic wrap dress worn by Liza Minnelli, Princess Diana’s smart A-line, and more—and offers patterns for reinterpreted versions that are perfectly stylish. Including ten full dress patterns with sewing variations to make twenty garments in all, a primer on sewing techniques, vintage photographs of style icons, and full-color shots of the finished pieces, this book has everything fashionistas need to bring timeless style right into their closets. “Features famous little black dresses over the decades. Learn how to sew up Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina Dress or Kate Moss’ sexy lace dress of the millennium . . . The patterns in this book can take you through the work week to weekend cocktail parties!” —Coquette

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What's the most important garment in a womans closet? More often than not, the answer is the little black dress. For decades, fashion magazines have touted the LBD as the perfect solution to almost every fashion crisis. Dressed up or down, with flats or heels, statement jewelry or a subdued jacket, the little black dress can be worn anywhere, for any occasion. Where did the little black dress come from? And how did black become the color of choice for every occasion? In Little Black Dress, Shannon Meyer answers these questions by offering a visual history of the black dress, illustrating its transformation from a traditional mourning garment to the fashion staple it is today. Richly illustrated with seventy full-color photos of dresses and accessories spanning 150 years, and including information about the designer, original owner, and historical context for each, readers will find Little Black Dress a stylish guide to this wardrobe essential. Designed to accompany an exhibit by the same name at the Missouri History Museum, the book will impress historians and fashionistas alike.

This invaluable guide will solve the perennial "What to wear?" problem for women everywhere. Starting with the design classic the LBD, with tips on how to wear it and how to adapt it, Tracy Martin ensures you will look the part with Audrey Hepburn perfection. Read on to discover how to wear all your wardrobe well - from all styles of dresses, to suits, skirts and shirts, and even underwear. Choose the right handbags and jewellery to accessorise with flawless precision and finish off every outfit with the right pair of shoes. Whatever the occasion - from workwear to weddings - and whatever your mood, you can put together an outfit with confidence and ease, knowing you have just the right picture-perfect look. This is a must-have guide for every woman, which will enable her to perfect her wardrobe and dress with confidence and style.Tracy Martin has contributed to both specialist and mainstream magazines, writing features on design, style and fashion. She often appears on television, including a regular slot on ITV's This Morning. Among her other books are Collectable Names and Designs in Fashion and the new book High Heel Heaven.