Couture Confessions: Fashion Legends in Their Own Words

Golbin, chief curator of Fashion and Textiles at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, “interviews” dead fashion design luminaries in this slightly peculiar but successfully inventive book. The term interview is used loosely here, with each designer’s own words, spoken or written long ago, positioned as responses to questions from Golbin. The gimmick works, though the interviews tend to fawn over their subjects. How does Paul Poiret (1879–1944) feel about being the “king of fashion”? The designer answers, “Among the many things I’ve been called over the years, none has given me greater pleasure.” The designers’ personalities buoyantly emerge in this playful format, as do insights into their trade. Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) admits that “cutting bored me. I never did a drawing in my life.” Madame Grès (1903–93) thought that “ignorance is a very important thing... It leads you to try things others wouldn’t dare attempt.” Coco Chanel (1883–1971) and Schiaparelli refuse to call themselves artists, as do Grès, who claims “I am just a good seamstress,” and Alexander McQueen, who squarely states, “I am a craftsman. I am not an artist. I am selling a service.” Others, such as Jeanne Lanvin (1867–1946), view fashion as “one of the greatest of the arts.” Dashing portraits of each designer by illustrator Legendre add to the book’s strong appeal. B&w illus. (May.)