King of Fashion. The Autobiography of Paul Poiret
Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1931. 1st Edition. Octavo, publisher's black cloth, spine and upper board elaborately gilt, top edge stained in red.
"Am I a fool when I dream of putting art into my dresses, a fool when I say dressmaking is an art?" First edition of innovative French fashion designer Paul Poiret’s memoir. Revered as the "King of Fashion," Poiret got his start working for Jacques Doucet in 1896. He subsequently established his own house and revolutionized dressmaking by liberating women from corsets (which in his words transformed women into "decorated bundles") by introducing loose-fitting silhouettes of Greek, Japanese, North African, and Middle Eastern influence. Written in destitution after the closure of his house in 1929 (he died effectively impoverished in 1944), King of Fashion chronicles his life and career career from his upbringing as the son of a fabric merchant, through his military career in the national service and WWII, to his rise to fame as the "le magnifique" who revolutionized fashion in the early 20th century. Illustrated with black-and-whote photos, drawings, and reproductions. The copy of either Robert or Rosamund Saltonstall Auchincloss, of the prominent American Auchincloss family, with a gift inscription to "R.S. Auchincloss" dated in the year of publication to front endpaper. Lacking scarce original dust jacket. Moderate rubbing and edgewear to cloth. Very good. Item #12171
$150.00