the must-have dictionaries

…for all fashion-lovers!

Christian Dior reveals the secrets of style in this charming handbook that no lady should be without. An indispensable guide that covers everything from what to wear to a wedding and how to tie a scarf to how to walk with grace, “The Little Dictionary of Fashion” is full of timeless tips. From afternoon frocks and accessories to travelling and tweed, Dior’s expertise ensures every girl will know the three fundamentals of fashion: simplicity, grooming and good taste. Published for the V&A’s Golden Age of Couture exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ‘New Look’ and illustrated with delightful photographs and drawing, this handbag-sized classic is the perfect gift for style-conscious girls.

Timeless advice from couture’s foremost designer.

Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture offers, for the first time in the luxury brand’s history, a critical selection of the creative exchanges forged between Louis Vuitton and a growing number of designers from the worlds of art, architecture, design, photography and fashion. This richly illustrated anthology is supplemented by critical essays that analyse and shed new light on Louis Vuitton’s commitment during one of the most fertile periods of contemporary creation. Written by international critics from the world of art, fashion and architecture, this work, stretching over 400 pages and illustrated with 400 colour documents, released in three languages – French, English and Italian – and is available in bookshops, published respectively by de La Martinière, Rizzoli NY and Rizzoli Italia.

A deluxe edition exclusively designed for Louis Vuitton by Takashi Murakami saled in Louis Vuitton stores and on www.louisvuitton.com since September 1st 2009.

Source: ilvoelv

charleston/twenties girl

English Version

As I already mentioned, the twenties on my post before (menswear-inspired fashions), here’s a book I’ve read and put on my must-have-read booklist. ‘Twenties girl’ by Sophie Kinsella is a really beautiful funny book which is about love, family and the most unusual, unique and hilarious ghost.

German Version

Here’s a short summary about the book:

Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenlythat imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professionaltwenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they? Whenthe spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie–a feisty, demanding girl withfirm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance–mysteriouslyappears, she has one last request: Lara must find a missing necklacethat had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years,and Sadie cannot rest without it. Lara, on the other hand, has a numberof ongoing distractions. Her best friend and business partner has runoff to Goa, her start-up company is floundering, and she’s just beendumped by the “perfect” man. Sadie, however, could care less. Laraand Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems asthough they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie’snecklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these verydifferent “twenties” girls learn some surprising truths from each otheralong the way. Written with all the irrepressible charm and humor thathave made Sophie Kinsella’s books beloved by millions, Twenties Girl is also a deeply moving testament to the transcendent bonds of friendship and family. 

Source: Sophie Kinsella

the must-have guides

 I love all kinds of books … BUT these books are musthaves for all fashionloving-women.

Illustrations by Natasha Law

Foreword by John Galliano
How tos and tips include Bella Freud, Manolo Blahnik, Stephen Jones, Gisele Bündchen, Julien MacDonald, Sam McKnight, Paula Pryke, Vivienne Westwood, Anya Hindmarch, Mrs. Burstein, Gemma Ward, Angela Lindvall, Jade Jagger, Stella McCartney, Kylie Minogue and Heidi Klum. ‘How to Walk in High Heels’ is for anyone who has ever tried to change a plug, toss a salad, enter a room in sling backs and leave everyone captivated, and was clearly absent when that manual was given out. This is the How To for the modern girl – you have to multitask and have the Midas touch in everything. Get the look but above all get the knowledge. This is a how to that is meant to be a friend, not a condescending assortment of rules because just like the reader the author is baffled by life… and like the reader she craves the easiest, most painless solution… and if they are stylish and fabulous and from someone iconic so much the better.
How to Walk in High Heels took the world by storm. Its flippant fashion tone, quotes and ‘how tos’ from industry star contributors sit against demystified jargon. Just as every girl needs to walk talk and slim in heels – every girl needs this book. Think of Ginger Rogers – she had to do all the same moves as Fred Astaire, only backwards and in heels – now its time for you to get the tips to take centre stage.

Illustrations by Natalie Ferstendik
Camilla Morton is “theperfect Girl for All Seasons: a ray of sunshine to brighten up a bleakautumn’s day, a touch of warmth bought to a cold winter. She is aswelcome as a beautiful springtime bunch of flowers, and a refreshingtonic on a hot summer’s day. That, for me, is Camilla.” Manolo Blahník
FromOpera to Oprah’s Book club. Monroe to Monet’s garden, Chanel’s loversto Cleopatra’s cooking tips. Don’t judge a book (or a girl) by itscover… You only live once – so make it fabulous!
With foreword by Manolo Blahník, A-list Contributors include:
Giorgio Armani, on living the high life in St. Tropez
Antonio Berardi, on falling in love with Venice
Manolo Blahník, on exploring Istanbul
Gisele Bündchen, on hanging out in LA
Joan Burstein, on setting up a business
Erin O’Connor, on camping in Wales
Sophie Dahl, on rocking the red carpet
Bella Freud, on the je ne sais quoi of Paris
Diane von Furstenberg, on Uptown and Downtown New York
John Galliano, on finding inspiration round the globe
Liz Goldwyn, on how to dress burlesque
Lulu Guinness, on sourcing vintage and starting a collection
Amanda Harlech, on customising a T-shirt for Glastonbury
Anya Hindmarch, on going green
Michael Howells, on throwing a Midsummer’s Night Soiree & wrapping
Stephen Jones, on Tokyo and making the ultimate Easter Bonnet
Heidi Klum, on her ‘Wonders of the World’
Nick Knight, on how to throw a masked ball
Christian Lacroix, on appreciating opera
Christian Louboutin, on Egypt and her charms
Paul Smith, on why London is his slice of heaven
Dita Von Teese, on how to teese and take it off
Matthew Williamson, on the spices and sights of India
Musesinclude: Jane Austen, Coco Chanel, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth I, AudreyHepburn, Ella Fitzgerald, Cleopatra, Frida Kahlo, Elizabeth Arden,Peggy Guggenheim, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Cinderella.

If your resolutions, indeed whole diary, looks much the same from one year to another… and you are suffering from that niggling suspicion that someone, somewhere is having more fun than you, then get smart – ‘A Year in High Heels’ is here to help. Forget TV dinners or waiting for that call, Camilla’s done all the hard work for you so you can have the most inspiring year ever!
This is the ultimate guide to the year with each month featuring a perfectly co-ordinated combination of culture, challenges and shoe changes. You’ll be amazed at all you’ll learn! There’s a monthly muse to inspire, books and themes for that soon-to-be-formed book club, plus anecdotes and information that make dumbing down so last season. Have content as well as the Cover Girl look. From Chanel, to Austen, to Monroe and more…
Armani, Gisele, Erin O’Connor, Diane von Furstenberg, Matthew Williamson, and other A List Fashionistas share secrets about their favourite destinations to help you with your own adventures. Dita von Teese, Anya Hindmarch and Christian Lacroix show you how to undress, go green and appreciate opera. Heidi Klum helps you plan that perfect holiday, Nick Knight a Masked Ball and Galliano takes you round the world!! Are there enough days in the to squeeze in this much fun?!
Eclectic, practical and fantastical, ‘A Year in High Heels’ is crammed with fascinating tale and trivia, inspiring ideas plus surprisingly sensible advice. Commemorate the day Marie Antoinette was beheaded by blending up her favourite face mask, celebrate her introducing the croissant to France and detox on the dreary. Start a blog that will make Pepy’s eyes pop, and let the female muses and modern mysteries of living unravel with style and wit. What are you waiting for?!
The must-have guide to year-round fabulousness ‘VOGUE’

Source: Camilla Morton