The little black dress

The little black dress….

Is everyone on the same page when it comes to the little black dress? I hope everyone understands the importance of this seemingly simple article of clothing! The majority knows that this is a staple piece that definitely belongs in every single woman’s closet, but there is so much more to know about the little black dress.

There is an amazing book that I randomly found that is by Didier Ludot. For those of you who are not familiar with the name, let me fill you in a bit. He is internationally known, and a complete expert in French haute couture. He is an esteemed supporter of the little black dress, and in 1996, he even held an exhibition in Paris. His enthusiasm did not die there, and so he compiled this book titled “The Little Black Dress- Vintage Treasure”.

This book has a format all it’s own. There are only nine pages of standard book dialogue, with headings as separate chapters. It starts with the prologue, which gives the basic story to the birth of the little black dress by Coco Chanel. Then it proceeds to explain the lifespan, stages, and obstacles that the dress has gone through since its entrance into fashion (and life altogether). Every section of the book has the designers, celebrities, and categories of real life women that helped propel the little black dress to where it is today.

After the written pages, come the photographs. They include actual sketches from designers, celebrities (such as Audrey Hepburn) and prestigious women in the dresses, as well as the most infamous little black dresses through the years. Following the photos is a chronological timeline on the life of the little black dress, spanning from 1926 when it made its debut, to 2001 when it transitions into the next millennium. The final section is a detailed breakdown of each of the pictures that was previously shown. It consists of the creation year of the dress, the designer that made it, the location that the photograph was taken (for example, one of the pictures was taken at The Fashion Theatre), as well as a brief description of the dress.

If you have an interest or passion for fashion, and all the elements that go along with it, then this is surely a book to have in your personal library. I mean, the little black dress was, and still is, one of the basic building blocks to this brilliant aspect of life. So with that being said, I will leave you from my favorite excerpt from the book:

“Like trousers for women, the little black dress has made history and become a symbol of modernity. Short, always, sometimes with sleeves, sometimes without, the little black dress is a free spirit in the great open space of fashion, that no designer, no stylist, however gifted, will ever succeed in calling his own.The little black dress obeys no standards, resists every fad, is fashion incarnate. Independent, often insolent, always sexy and sublimely right, it is an enduring symbol of the eternal feminine.”