Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
Just when it seems every facet of World War II has been featured in a book, Nancy MacDonell wrote Empresses of Seventh Avenue: World War II, New York City, and the Birth of American Fashion. It's a summary of historical events and their impact on women's fashion in France and the United States.
Each chapter features one or two women and their unique role in creating and shaping the American fashion industry. Prior to World War II, France was the center of the fashion world, but when war changed everything, the United States gradually moved from imitator to innovator, changing the industry forever.
The book features several interesting topics including the ways fashion designs were (illegally) copied, the evolving philosophies surrounding women's wardrobes from haute couture to ready-to-wear, and the role of department stores in this transition. The chapters about women journalists and their role in managing fashion magazines were my favorites - so fascinating.
The author conducted extensive research for this book. It didn't feet like an information dump, but there were so many facts, I just let them 'wash' through my mind. At first, it felt superfluous to focus on fashion in the midst of life-and-death world war events, but I eventually dropped the guilt as I became more invested in the topic.
Reading this via audiobook narrated by Gail Shalan was definitely the best option for me. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for access to the audiobook.
Each chapter features one or two women and their unique role in creating and shaping the American fashion industry. Prior to World War II, France was the center of the fashion world, but when war changed everything, the United States gradually moved from imitator to innovator, changing the industry forever.
The book features several interesting topics including the ways fashion designs were (illegally) copied, the evolving philosophies surrounding women's wardrobes from haute couture to ready-to-wear, and the role of department stores in this transition. The chapters about women journalists and their role in managing fashion magazines were my favorites - so fascinating.
The author conducted extensive research for this book. It didn't feet like an information dump, but there were so many facts, I just let them 'wash' through my mind. At first, it felt superfluous to focus on fashion in the midst of life-and-death world war events, but I eventually dropped the guilt as I became more invested in the topic.
Reading this via audiobook narrated by Gail Shalan was definitely the best option for me. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for access to the audiobook.
