Paris haute couture

A very Parisian phenomenon saw the light at the beginning of the XXth century: high fashion. It is personnalized to the extreme around a few strong personalities, from Poiret to Madeleine Vionet, it is in reality a collective discipline that includes a multitude of seamstresses, the famous ’petites mains’. Decade after decade, according to targeted themes - the role of the cliente, embroidery in the twenties or haute couture under the German Occupation -, the book brings it back in the limelight. And makes us all dream before the reopening of the Galliera museum (programed for the autum) since all the superb outfits presneted here come from there…

• Paris haute couture, directed by Olivier Saillard and d’Anne Zazzo, Skira Flammarion, 2013, 288 p., €39.90.