Elsa Schiaparelli: A Biography
Product ID: 312720098
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'A wonderful insight into a life that history hasn't remembered as well as it should have.' - Vogue One of the most extraordinary fashion designers of the twentieth century, Elsa Schiaparelli was an integral figure in the artistic movement of the times. Her collaborations with artists such as Man Ray, Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau, and Alberto Giacometti elevated the field of women's clothing design into the realm of art. Her story is one of pluck, determination, and talent with scandal as spice. As the daughter of minor Italian nobility whose disastrous first marriage to a Theosophist caused near penury, she transformed herself into a designer of great imagination and, along with Coco Chanel, her greatest rival, she was one of the few female figures in the field at that time. Review: A terribly bland, useless biography - Even the author claims she was not originally interested in her subject. And the worst thing is that she did not turned so once starting writing the book -- it seems. A book written on commission: what else should we add? The worst kind of biography one can encounter. I had to return it, as it was unreadable. Surprised by the many positive reviews, perhaps written by those who do not value the art of writing lives. Review: ... an ideal gift for her and which she thoroughly enjoyed many, thanks - As my daughter works in the fashion industry this book was an ideal gift for her and which she thoroughly enjoyed many, thanks.
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,539 in Fashion Design #1,926 in Biographies of Actors & Entertainers |
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 18 Reviews |
M**B
A terribly bland, useless biography
Even the author claims she was not originally interested in her subject. And the worst thing is that she did not turned so once starting writing the book -- it seems. A book written on commission: what else should we add? The worst kind of biography one can encounter. I had to return it, as it was unreadable. Surprised by the many positive reviews, perhaps written by those who do not value the art of writing lives.
A**R
... an ideal gift for her and which she thoroughly enjoyed many, thanks
As my daughter works in the fashion industry this book was an ideal gift for her and which she thoroughly enjoyed many, thanks.
S**Z
Four Stars
Great price good condition
H**E
Immensely readable
Excellent. Detailed, fascinating tale of an unusual woman and a remarkable designer.
A**E
Disappointing in every way.
Although the author has done research she has also clearly relied on previous books including Bettina Ballard and Palmer White a huge amount. Bettina Bergery is also a key source. As other reviewers have pointed out the book is often rambling and since there is nothing new to say about Schiaparelli devotes a lot of time to periferal matters. There are two very VERY. Annoying elements in the book, again has already been pointed out the black and white pictures do not match the descriptions in the text, and there is far to much imagined and invented conjecture ...."we can imagine her" ......this is just wrong. I have to say personally I expected better. This will go on the shelves in the Schiaparelli section but I doubt it will be taken down for many a long year. Finally the coloured plates are dull and frankly offer nothing new or unusual. All in all I think two stars is generous on my part.
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