Product Description

Here, in this lavishly illustrated history of the Best Dressed List, is the story of how the list originated and grew into the world-famous event it is today. And, for the first time ever, fashion doyenne and Best Dressed List founder Ms. Lambert contributes her personal story on the subject. Founded in 1940, the Best Dressed List was her brilliant publicity ploy to boost the drooping American fashion industry at the outset of World War II. It quickly became a highly visible and respected barometer of style, a "who's who" of the most glamorous women in the world. Interestingly, the first lists were mostly wealthy society women who were famous for spending entire fortunes every year on haute couture, while movie stars were rarely named to it, as they were dressed by their studios. Today, the list has evolved into a highly coveted placement that includes every sort of public figure, from socialites and models to movie stars and politicians. Featuring four to six of the top women from each decade, this spectacular volume explores the personal style of such fashion icons as Babe Paley in the 40s; Grace Kelly and Diana Vreeland in the 50s; Jackie O. and Verushka in the 60s; Twiggy and Bianca Jagger in the 70s; Princess Di and Tina Chow in the 80s; Sharon Stone and the Miller sisters in the 90s; Chloe Sevigny and Nicole Kidman in the 21st century. The Best Dressed List will be reproduced in its entirety in the back of the book.

About the Author

Eleanor Lambert founded the International Best Dressed List in 1940. In 1943 she founded the Coty Awards, in the 1960s she helped organize the Council of Fashion Designers of America. She is credited with introducing many of the 20th century's most popular fashion designers to the press, including Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent; Bettina Zilkha, who has a background in writing, marketing and advertising, is the international contributing editor for TheTrendReport.com. A trendsetter in her own right, Bettina has lived in both New York and Paris, where she planned special events for the American Center. She is constantly on the lookout for new trends all over the world.