A Good Read for Everyone - Fashion Lover or Not
344733
I really enjoyed this book. I will admit it took me a couple of tries to really get into it but after about 40 pages I really got hooked. The author used diary style entries to write the book in the main characters point of view and it worked very well in helping the reader look deep into the troubled soul and mind of Oscar Pelligrini...

For a more in depth review visit my blog - http://bostonbeautybuzz.blogspot.ca/2015/01/witchcraft-couture-book-review.html
2062517
If you are interested in Diana Vreeland or fashion, you will enjoy this book. For someone who is so famous, not that much exists about Vreeland, which is why I devoured this. The author delves into Vreeland's creation of her own myth as it arose from her unhappy childhood in which she retreated into a dream world of fantasy. As an adult she was fortunate to make a living creating fantasy for others. Having worked in the magazine industry in addition to having a passion for fashion, I couldn't get enough of the details about Diana's work life and career. This author creates a balanced view of her, both embracing her genius for fashion while also acknowledging her shortcomings (as someone who must have been either inspiring or absolutely terrifying to work for, depending on how you got on with her). The author is not sucked into the myths that Diana created about herself and promoted in other writings about her life, but works hard to establish what has truth to it and what doesn't. I was spellbound by the story of her life and, now that I'm older myself, her dealings with aging and being forced out of her job and how she was forced to remake herself at an advanced age. Overall, this is an insightful view behind the oft-repeated legends such as they "Why don't you...." column, the Studio 54 nights and the red-paneled Vogue office to a woman who had some all too human failings, but lived a life that was true to her own unique spirit. As with just about every biography I read, especially one involving art or fashion, my one nitpick is TOO FEW PHOTOS!
3308550
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its insights into the fashion scene and to see how all the players are connected. I'm so glad I read it prior to seeing McQueen's Savage Beauty exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC, so I could recall the background story behind many of the collections. I am a few pages into her bio written by her husband, Detmar, and I think I'm going to be disappointed. Buy this one. One downer...the author's writing is a bit awkward and I found myself re-reading sentences here and there...a bit amateurish for a professional writer. I'm wondering if she's not an American author, and I'm just not used to a Brit's writing. But obviously much research went into the bio and I appreciate that.
4091447
Excellent view into the mind of a fashion visionary - there will never be another!
3006579
I found this book extremely fascinating. I often read literature about feminism and women, but hadn't ever read much about the 1920s. Although this book does center on F. Scott Fitzgerald for the first one-third or so, most of it deals with women of the so-called "flapper" era.

Something that took me by surprise was the detail the author goes into regarding fashion of the day. The surprising part was that I found it fascinating! I'm not a big fashion buff, but think the idea of cultural critique via fashion is a very interesting one.

The book is divided into thirds, with the first one-third being about, as I said, F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, the "quintessential flapper couple," as well as various prominent figures of this era, including Lois Long, a writer for the fledgling "New Yorker"--which, interestingly, was not always as highbrow as it is now. These people had lives which could (and probably do) all fill books individually, so some of the mini-biographies feel a bit superficial, but I'm sure a book that was exhaustive would be several hundred pages long. The second portion of the book is devoted to fashion, and the final one-third of the book is dedicated to the films of the era. An epilogue describes the eventual fates of each of the book's main players.

This is definitely a book well worth reading, but it has a couple of flaws. It does get dry in some portions, and you have to just "power through" to get back to the interesting parts. Obviously, these will vary from reader to reader, as I'm sure not all people would be as interested in the fashion portion as I was. One other fundamental problem, though, is that this could be subtitled "A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the WHITE Women Who Made America Modern." The author alludes to the fact that the flappers looked down on black women as not being "true" flappers--indeed, he derisively describes an article in which Lois Long mentions that black women in Harlem were doing the Charleston, and doing it not as well as white women, although African-Americans invented the Charleston themselves. He also includes a picture of an Asian-American actress who, according to the caption, "challenged the notion that flappers had to be white and native-born." That is as much of a mention as other cultures get in the book. It seems strange to touch on this subject of non-white flappers and then never say another word about it. If he was going to focus on whites, that's fine, but to bring up other races and not delve into those cultures seems strange. Better to leave it out entirely.

This book is rarely dull and I learned a great deal about an era which has always had a degree of fascination for me, but about which I had never read. You will be entertained and you will learn something--what a great combination!
255612
(From my blog)
First let me tell you that Witchcraft Couture was generously given by the author in exchange of an honest review. So here it is !

I gave 3.5/5 stars because though I loved the story and the writing, it wasn't really love at first words. I think it comes from the fact that I'm not into fashion and so it was a lot to discover at once. But regarding the other topics of the book, I wasn't completly lost. Because the story of Oscar and the Sampo is also about inspiration, trust and simply believing in ourself.

Witchcraft Couture is about a lost and sad artist who find a machin capable of changing clothes into master pieces. Soon after he began to understand how the Sampo works, Oscar became successful... and more and more crazy and obsessed about the Sampo. Quickly, he realized that he has no control over his life anymore.

What I loved :

I enjoyed all the twists and the original story telling, how we can witness Oscar' story through his eyes. Witchcraft Couture is a fast reading but most of all it's fascinating. It reminded me a bit of Oscar Wilde, The Picture Of Doriand Gray. But here, instead of a devilish painting, we have a machin playing the role. I can't say much about the ending but I can tell you that I truly loved it ! It was the final of a great development.

I think, especially as a budding writer, that this book is thought provoking. It will give you insights regarding the fears and the excitements of being the slave of inspiration. Creativity can drive you crazy but also make you the happiest person on Earth.

To conclude, I recommand this book to every book lover who falls for authentic and powerful main characters, such as Oscar Pellegrini. There is also a deep and beautiful writing. And of course, if you're into fashion and arts, you will LOVE Witchcraft Couture !

Happy reading !
3082930
I feel this book is such a inspiration for anyone who has any interest in fashion, or design.
What a talent this young women has to create such fabulous outfits out of a single hankie,
I was so very much impressed, and loved looking at every single page, one design was
prettier then then the next.  I loved how she told of her story, how she got started doing this
at such a young age.  Each page shows the love that she has for what she is doing.
Marsha also seems to want to share her talent with anyone who shows an interest,
by having examples, and patterns in the back of her book.
I would recommend this book to everyone, it is a delight, and very special, once you pick it
up you want to share it with all your friends.  I know I did.
3241090
A wonderful, fast-paced book with engaging characters. Great history of fashion using actual events as well as real and imagined people and situations. Having been involved in the world of fashion and retail, I found this book to be an excellent dive into the story of Dior, touching on other great couturiers of the time. Made me want to read more history of the people and time period.
1331903
I was genuinely surprised with this articulate, heartfelt exploration of fashion ... which very nearly translates as a memoir (in all the best ways). It is a delight to see Nicky maturing into such a generous spirit with a penchant for humanitarianism. For instance, I was impressed to see a section devoted to faux-designer goods. Here, Hilton explains that if one purchases such goods knowingly, one is supporting child-labor, sex-trafficking, and inhumane conditions for workers of all ages. Hilton notes that if the authentic merchandise is price-prohibitive, one can search high-end consignment shops, eBay (with extreme care to seller reputation), and the like. This is, by all means, fashion with a conscious.

Moreover, I enjoy Hilton's devotion to preserving fashion. For example, she provides anecdotes of her mother insisting that shoes should be taken to a cobbler on occasion to ensure longevity. I adore this old-world approach to valuing craftsmanship and preserving the environment. In our society, I literally struggle to find a good seamstress (for even minor alterations). I have tried a few and fell in love with the talents of one. Certainly, I have been lazy not to invest some time in locating a dependable cobbler.

Finally, I very much appreciate how Hilton draws upon the knowledge of her mother, her sister, her father, and others around her. Hilton does not claim to have all the answers. Instead, we see a mature text that recalls the best information from those in her life. For instance, Hilton's mother swears by Nordstrom's for finding proper underpinnings. I really enjoy such details.

There are a few items that Hilton loves that I am not found of ... of course! That's natural! Hilton may love a gift-sweater and I cannot get them in the donation bins fast enough. But what I love about this young woman is how she says (on the final page) to basically take what you want from the book, leave the rest, and make your own style. So open-minded!

I am very pleased and surprised with/by this text. Anyone who enjoys fashion will find something of interest in Hilton's book. Strongly recommended to all fashionistas!
768249
If not for the title that peaks your interest, or for the humor and undeniably great insight on what it would be like to work for a debutante of the fashion world, this book held my interest from beginning to end.  If you are looking for a deep literary read, this is definitely not for you.  This is a light, funny read that I, quite frankly, could not put down.  Having no knowledge of fashion, designers, or New York City for that matter, I felt like I had an education on the fast paced, cut throat and very competitive industry that most girls can only dream about participating in.  I thought Weisberger showed immense talent in poking fun at this glamorous way of life and I thouroughly enjoyed it.
4961596
I met Lindsay at the WPPI 2011, and bought this book because I like Fashion, plus Lindsay is an amazing photographer with magnificent fashion imagery.  I buy anything related to what I'm focused on and read it.  Since Lindsay is that amazing, I figured I buy the book and try and get into her head, see what she's thinking.  This book is a great read, and she did a great job explaining tips in having that fashion flair in your imagery, a good all around book on photography from planning the shoot to processing to publishing, a little bit of everything to start your journey towards that fashion look.  She gives you the tools on how to achieve that look.  It's not focused on one-topic alone, as you can always go deeper into each topic discussed.  If you're an advanced photographer, you may already know much of this information already, but there is still plenty of golden nuggets throughout the book for any photographer.  I wouldn't be surprised if Lindsay pulled a Scott Kelby on us, and published a Fashion Flair II & III - Advanced techniques, since many photographers seem to be calling themselves Fashion Wedding photographers. I would buy them!
1959058
I really enjoyed Dita's writing style as she makes the tips and stories personal; it feels like you are chatting with her over afternoon tea rather then reading a book, with her coming across as friendly and intelligent.

As well as (the illustrated or with photos) step-by-step guides for major aspects of recreating the pin-up glamour look such as Dita's favourite hairstyles and the perfect manicure, there are also other small tips scattered throughout the book in italics for readers to take away; ranging from a recipe for a sweet drink minus loads of sugar and other additives, to making your own powder compact refills. The advise and tips don't just come from Dita either; for example her photographer friends, dermatologist and nutritionist add their advise and tips too. These additional sources really help to stop the advice from becoming a cold, clinical laundry list of what to and what not to do.

As you would hope and expect from a beauty guide, Your Beauty Mark is richly illustrated; as well as the step-by-step guides, there are plenty of professional portraits, magazine portraits, promotional shots, paparazzi snaps, and some personal photos of Dita [including one of her in a 'regular girl' Halloween costume - jeans and a wig of her natural hair colour]. In addition to that the blocks of text are broken up a bit with various tips and what she finds to be inspirational quotes so you can make sure that you have taken the information in fully before moving on.

_

I imagine that most people who buy Your Beauty Mark will want to use it as a actual what-to-buy guide for achieving Dita's signature style - this is where it loses a star. There are no guides for recreating any of Dita's complete looks which is a shame, as if you're getting ready to go out, to a party etc, it would have saved a lot time from flicking though the book to find the bit you need. And sure, the book is full of these tidbits (skincare brands, perfume, foundation, lipsticks, hair dye, nail polish, mascara etc), but most of the times these nuggets are just casually mentioned in the main body of writing of whichever chapter we're reading. so yeah, the layout could be a touch more reader friendly.

Also; I found the overabundance of the details a bit dull sometimes [e.g. The different types of hairbrushes on the market], and I found myself skipping a few bits in response.
4615169
It was entertaining and a good read which leads me to discover more about Christian Dior and his history and influence on Fashion
616518
Anything that takes you into the creative process is an automatic winner for me, but with Eila Mell she does that and so much more. In NEW YORK FASHION WEEK we are able to see not just the history of the fashion experience here in the United States, but get a real look at the mechanics of how the designers and models along with the media have worked together to give the world something to talk about.

Loving a great story, I appreciated Eila going beyond just the locale of NEW YORK FASHION WEEK and letting the reader get to know the key players, why they wanted to make the events something spectacular, and how it affects those outside of the fashion industry as well. Think about how the economy of the state benefits from people from all of ever world coming lodging, eating and visiting stores and boutiques. We are also able to see how even those who have a high-profile in the business are so much more than just the glitz and glamor. They are truly passionate about the work they do and want to give their very best with each showing.

Speaking of the shows, Eila gets interviews with individuals who are able to share their personal perspectives of NEW YORK FASHION WEEK and the industry altogether. In all this is a way for all of us to get a better understand and appreciation of something that trickles down to us all.

Colorful, entertaining and informative, NEW YORK FASHION WEEK by Eila Mell takes you into the making of the fashion experience.
601796
I'm a bit of a fashion outsider as I pretty much have little or no fashion sense for myself. However, I do love looking at and reading about fashion as I consider it another art form on the same level as painting, sculpture, etc. I particularly enjoy the history of fashion and this book really delivers on that front. The book deals with one particular chapter in fashion which was a fashion show held in Paris in 1973 that showcased American and French designers side by side. It wasn't marketed as a competition but everyone pretty much knew that's what it was. The book goes in depth on every designer that participated and how they got to the pinnacle of their profession. The actual event is covered in blow-by-blow detail. Most fashion insiders will know how the whole thing turned out but since I didn't, the sense of anticipation and the end result were satisfying. It's a pretty well paced read and not boring at all. I read it in a couple of days.

The only thing I do wish it had were pictures that illustrated the various designers and their creations, their studios, and the room in Versailles where this all took place. I spent a lot of time Googling things so that I could get some context with it. I did eventually purchase the film documentary "Versailles '73" that gave me the visuals but some illustrations in the book couldn't hurt and would make it more enjoyable.
4086123
I adored this book. I appreciate good fashion style, but I hate to shop for clothes and rarely do, but since I love a good memoir, I gave this a go. I liked the author's voice from the start. I also love all references to Chicago since I lived there for 60 years and went to school in Hyde Park. I remember Stanley Korshak's store and ate at The Drake often. And learning her mother ran The Oak Street Book Shop -- oh my! It was the first stop on my walk from home to the IC to go to school. So if you are from Chicago, you will dig that aspect. I also know Miami and New York, where the author spent significant time, so that was fun, too..

The author was painstakingly honest, which always endears me to the writer. Her early life was one both of privilege and neglect. She was truly the stereotype of the pre-feminist era housewife for many years--not working, dependent on her husband for her weekly allowance, living in a small world of shopping, making herself pretty, and attending social events. I would have been popping pills like crazy. My mother was close in age to the author. When she was accepted to the University of Chicago, she was offered a great job (during WWII) which ultimately gave her a career. I feel lucky my mom had that opportunity and was brave enough to do the unconventional. I grew up thinking women were as smart and strong as men. But my friends' mothers were more like this author--living in the 1950's world of dependency on men.

It seems to me Ms. Halbreich's soul journey in this life involved learning to be independent because ultimately, in New York, she had to. She was so brave!!! And became such a cool person, an artist really, and helped a lot of people. She became multi-dimensional and ultimately whole. Right on sister!!
2961886
A quick easy entertaining read about fashion, a subject that interests me less than this book.  Betty is a hoot and far more revealing of herself than I could ever be.  Her fashion tips are actually very good.