First published 2013
André Leon Talley examines the cultural power of the little black dress through sixty carefully chosen examples from leading fashion houses. The Vogue contributing editor traces how this simple garment transformed across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, from Audrey Hepburn's Givenchy in Breakfast at Tiffany's to Elizabeth Hurley's career-making Versace moment. Talley argues that while defined by basic parameters of color and shape, the little black dress carries infinite possibilities. Each designer brings their vision to the silhouette, while each woman who wears one makes it personal. The book accompanies an exhibition at the SCAD Museum of Art and features dresses crafted from luxury fabrics to cutting-edge neoprene. Three original essays explore personal connections to the garment, supported by Talley's introduction and Paula Wallace's foreword. Through stunning photography and careful curation, the book reveals how this single piece of clothing captures female allure, preserves memories, and elevates reputations across decades of fashion history.
Genres: art, 20th-century, fashion-designers, 21st-century, fashion, fashion-design
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-significance, personal-connection
Setting: Breakfast at Tiffany's, SCAD Museum of Art, Versace
Period: Twentieth Century, Twenty-First Century
184 pages · Hardcover · Skira Rizzoli