The Power of Style

Rating:
Summary: Gossipy rundown of fashion pioneers
Review: A good read in terms of encompassing mainstream fashionable "icons". As a serious fashion text, it lacks specific reference to individual's pioneering efforts and is conspicuously WASP-centric. But on the other hand, the personal dirt makes it fun to read and isn't that part of what fashion is all about? Fun

Rating:
Summary: This book was intelligently written
Review: and tastefully illustrated with photos and illustrations of 15 extraordinary women who lived the elegant life without effort. I liked the brief biographies of Rita Lydig, Elsie De Wolfe, Babe Paley, Jackie Kennedy and Coco Chanel. Each lady have an unique style that cannot be duplicated. It can be imitated by many people but not duplicated. For example, Elsie De Wolfe's home decorating has influenced many interior designers such as Martha Stewart. Martha has a unique perspective on interior home decorating and entertainment similar to Elsie's. Jackie Kennedy's trend-setting fashions have influenced many American women during the turbulent 60's and beyond. She really taught American women how to live with grace and elegance. The ladies have endured hardships, abusive and unhappy relationships, public scorn, and even scandal to be themselves and not having people, not even their husbands or boyfriends, tell them how to live. This book is for those who want to learn about the unique lives of 15 upper class women. It's the ultimate insider book.

Rating:
Summary: This book was intelligently written
Review: and tastefully illustrated with photos and illustrations of 15 extraordinary women who lived the elegant life without effort. I liked the brief biographies of Rita Lydig, Elsie De Wolfe, Babe Paley, Jackie Kennedy and Coco Chanel. Each lady have an unique style that cannot be duplicated. It can be imitated by many people but not duplicated. For example, Elsie De Wolfe's home decorating has influenced many interior designers such as Martha Stewart. Martha has a unique perspective on interior home decorating and entertainment similar to Elsie's. Jackie Kennedy's trend-setting fashions have influenced many American women during the turbulent 60's and beyond. She really taught American women how to live with grace and elegance. The ladies have endured hardships, abusive and unhappy relationships, public scorn, and even scandal to be themselves and not having people, not even their husbands or boyfriends, tell them how to live. This book is for those who want to learn about the unique lives of 15 upper class women. It's the ultimate insider book.

Rating:
Summary: A Book As Stylish As The Women Featured In It!
Review: Coco Chanel, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Diana Vreeland...these names recall the very essence of style. But, author Annette Tapert also celebrates the style of less well known women such as Rita Lydig, Millicent Rogers, and Mona Bismarck. Each chapter celebrates a different lady with wonderful photographs and detailed text of their lives and what made them the "women who defined the art of living well". Also recommended is Tapert's follow-up book "The Power of Glamour" which looks at the women of film, as opposed to the women of society. Both are great books about great women!

Rating:
Summary: The Power Of Style
Review: For anyone hoping to learn the secret of style, glamour and grace, this is a most important tool. The introduction has the best words of wisdom. Take heed!!

Rating:
Summary: The Power Of Style
Review: For anyone hoping to learn the secret of style, glamour and grace, this is a most important tool. The introduction has the best words of wisdom. Take heed!!

Rating:
Summary: Could have been better...
Review: I enjoy this book, but my two biggest complaints are the lack of more colorful photos of the houses and clothes these women lived in. For a coffee-table type book, that is kind of important...too many in here are black and white which is unfortunate given the vivid descriptions. I also heartily dislike the sexist contention that these women were all married to alcoholic, indifferent, possibly homosexual weaklings, which is interesting, since none of these women worked but had to rely on said weaklings' money except for Diana Vreeland and Coco Chanel; maybe that is why these two ladies' contributions are the most impressive. Otherwise, the book is somewhat interesting, but nothing spectacular.

Rating:
Summary: One of my very fave style books
Review: I remember I received this book at the tender age of 15, when I was in full adoration mode of Jackie Kennedy. I read it cover to cover on a flight to the West Coast and at that time, I was rapt.
Now, older and wiser, I have to say that this book seems to be little more than the drippingly doting praise of two wealthy, thin, East-Coast women for many other wealthy, thin East-Coast women, with little depth and a rather condescending tone.
Real style is so much more than a well-cut suit or the ability to throw extravagant parties (and when you are as rich as a Vanderbilt, it can't be that hard to acquire these things). Real style is about diplomacy, truth, and talent. The real "Power of Style" doesn't come from what you look like or how much you can spend, but how you present yourself and how you deal with the world. The women described in this book are not so much examples of the power of style, but the power of cash and connections. With the possible exception of Mrs. Kennedy-Onassis, they didn't define the art of living well, they defined the established upper classes who offered very little else to the world than a pretty face and something to read on the society pages.

Rating:
Summary: Style is more than money- someone tell Tapert and Edkins!
Review: I remember I received this book at the tender age of 15, when I was in full adoration mode of Jackie Kennedy. I read it cover to cover on a flight to the West Coast and at that time, I was rapt.
Now, older and wiser, I have to say that this book seems to be little more than the drippingly doting praise of two wealthy, thin, East-Coast women for many other wealthy, thin East-Coast women, with little depth and a rather condescending tone.
Real style is so much more than a well-cut suit or the ability to throw extravagant parties (and when you are as rich as a Vanderbilt, it can't be that hard to acquire these things). Real style is about diplomacy, truth, and talent. The real "Power of Style" doesn't come from what you look like or how much you can spend, but how you present yourself and how you deal with the world. The women described in this book are not so much examples of the power of style, but the power of cash and connections. With the possible exception of Mrs. Kennedy-Onassis, they didn't define the art of living well, they defined the established upper classes who offered very little else to the world than a pretty face and something to read on the society pages.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting !! Beyond the regular scope of society doyennes !!
Review: It was a curiousity, as to how the other half lives!! Now, thanks to Ms. Tapert we have an inside scoop !! I wish the ladies, had lived better than their fates allowed. Yet, they gave us learning tools !! This is a must read, for anyone interested in living well and maintaining it !!