The Battle of Versailles: The Fashion Showdown of 1973

$95.00

Details

Images from the archives of renowned fashion photojournalists Bill Cunningham and Jean-luce Huré—largely unseen until now—capture the behind-the-scenes drama, fabulous clothing, iconic models, and glamorous guests at the historic Battle of Versailles. The event marked an important moment in American history, and Black history in particular. Icon, Josephine Baker sang at the event. Fashion designer, Stephen Burrows, considered the pioneer of American Fashion, became the first African American designer to receive international acclaim. And eleven African American models, including Bethann Hardison and Pat Cleveland, ultimately stole the show, showcasing a modern, spirited, personality-filled approach to modeling. The book includes an intimate recounting of events by Pat Cleveland who is featured on the cover and who writes the introduction.

Editors' Note

The Battle of Versailles is the first illustrated book to chronicle the dramatic 1973 face-off between French and American fashion designers, which left an indelible mark on the fashion industry, launched American designers as a global force, and challenged the cultural norms of the time.

Details

Images from the archives of renowned fashion photojournalists Bill Cunningham and Jean-luce Huré—largely unseen until now—capture the behind-the-scenes drama, fabulous clothing, iconic models, and glamorous guests at the historic Battle of Versailles. The event marked an important moment in American history, and Black history in particular. Icon, Josephine Baker sang at the event. Fashion designer, Stephen Burrows, considered the pioneer of American Fashion, became the first African American designer to receive international acclaim. And eleven African American models, including Bethann Hardison and Pat Cleveland, ultimately stole the show, showcasing a modern, spirited, personality-filled approach to modeling. The book includes an intimate recounting of events by Pat Cleveland who is featured on the cover and who writes the introduction.

Editors' Note

The Battle of Versailles is the first illustrated book to chronicle the dramatic 1973 face-off between French and American fashion designers, which left an indelible mark on the fashion industry, launched American designers as a global force, and challenged the cultural norms of the time.

 

Reviews

“Mark Bozek pays homage to the face-off between American and French fashion with an illustrated book, retracing what went down through photographs by Jean-Luce Huré and Bill Cunningham, capturing the drama, the backstage moments, and never-before-seen highlights of the evening. With a foreword by Liza Minnelli, an introduction by Pat Cleveland, and afterwords by Diet Prada, this book offers a unique and fresh perspective on the event from a photographic point of view." - MUSEE MAGAZINE

"Mark Bozek’s tome offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on the book’s titular battle: A face-off between French and American fashion designers at the Palace of Versailles in 1973. He presents the epic showdown through a visual time capsule of the event’s parading models, starry guests and competing collections, with photographs by Jean-Luce Huré and Bill Cunningham of The New York Times." - THE NY TIMES

"What began as a restoration fundraiser for the palace turned into a cultural-shifting event that left an indelible mark on the fashion industry, launched American designers as a global force and challenged the industry norms of the time. The book also features unedited excerpts from Cunningham’s private detailed diary." - STYLEZEITGEIST MAGAZINE 

Additional Details

288 Pages

Rizzoli (September 03, 2024)

Ships to the US in 3-4 weeks

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