Required Reading: 'The Evening Dress'

• By Sara Cardace
• Published Summer 2007

Not all women are fortunate enough to have a precise vision of their ideal dress in mind from the moment they first say “I do”—some need a bit of help. Fashion historian Alexandra Black’s The Evening Dress traces the design decisions that go into the styles showcased in the book, from Christian Dior’s ‘Mozart’ dress to a shimmering gold sheath by Versace to a Byzantine-inspired ball gown by Viktor and Rolf. Full-page photos of dressed-to-impress fashion icons—among them Gloria Swanson, Barbara Stanwyck, and Louise Brooks—and explorations of the ways their style has been recycled throughout the ages are sure to inspire.