The Power of Style

Rating:
Summary: A lovely gift for that lady of style in your life!
Review: Money cant buy style and style is "personal" they say , the women featured in this book is definitely in a class of their own. They not only show style in what they wear or how they carry themselves but in how they lived. There are books written about these women individually but this one provide an elegant compilation of photographs and poignant anecdotes. It share glimpses of their lives though glamourous through the lavish photography and reported anecdotes, were less than perfect. But these women are survivors! Even through tragedies and personal loss these women handled it all - with style and panache. A lovely gift for that lady of style in your life!

Rating:
Summary: A lovely gift for that lady of style in your life!
Review: Money cant buy style and style is "personal" they say , the women featured in this book is definitely in a class of their own. They not only show style in what they wear or how they carry themselves but in how they lived. There are books written about these women individually but this one provide an elegant compilation of photographs and poignant anecdotes. It share glimpses of their lives though glamourous through the lavish photography and reported anecdotes, were less than perfect. But these women are survivors! Even through tragedies and personal loss these women handled it all - with style and panache. A lovely gift for that lady of style in your life!

Rating:
Summary: A lovely gift for that lady of style in your life!
Review: Money cant buy style and style is "personal" they say , the women featured in this book is definitely in a class of their own. They not only show style in what they wear or how they carry themselves but in how they lived. There are books written about these women individually but this one provide an elegant compilation of photographs and poignant anecdotes. It share glimpses of their lives though glamourous through the lavish photography and reported anecdotes, were less than perfect. But these women are survivors! Even through tragedies and personal loss these women handled it all - with style and panache. A lovely gift for that lady of style in your life!

Rating:
Summary: Women of Art, Elan, Distinction
Review: Never have I come across a book that is a simultaneous delight and delicious read. Every profile of each trendsetting lady brims with founts of information and inspiration on how and why these 14 remarkable women became icons of style. Describing them as style pioneers would be an understatement. They created classics born from their lifestyles and tastes, grand or modest --- 'living like an indelible individual' and leaving for the whole world to emulate and regard what they've created as style references to themselves and their images. What even made the book poignant is the well-incorporated pacing and focus into the particular situations of their personal lives. That is an important and integral part that provokes and makes every reader, design and style enthusiast comprehend well why these women, however unconscious they are, became icons. They carried themselves well. They had natural panache. They knew what fitted and worked for them. They stood firm with their orientations and preferences. In the end what they left the world was more than staples in design, but lessons on effortless originality, dignity, self-esteem and self-confidence all inevitably contribute to an image that is revered and will never be rusty. These women and this book is fabulously classic!

Rating:
Summary: divine!!!!!!!!
Review: The least thing this book can do for you is show you the most beautiful eyes in the world ,just look at mona bismarck's eyes and ...... Its sad to know that when one is destined to live an unhappy life ,one will ,no matter how rich or beautiful one may be ,and its nice to see that some how "style " manages to sooth the pains.

Rating:
Summary: A Broken Fashion Plate
Review: This book gives well-researched accounts of women many have admired (even envied) from afar. And the objectivity of those accounts lets the reader finish the book less enamored of mere fashion and perhaps more pleased with his own unglamorous but breathable life. This is not so much a book of fashion as it is a cautionary tale to those who detect the common theme in all the stories.

Rating:
Summary: A Broken Fashion Plate
Review: This book gives well-researched accounts of women many have admired (even envied) from afar. And the objectivity of those accounts lets the reader finish the book less enamored of mere fashion and perhaps more pleased with his own unglamorous but breathable life. This is not so much a book of fashion as it is a cautionary tale to those who detect the common theme in all the stories.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, insightful book.
Review: This book has become my very favorite. There is an incredible diversity in the women profiled but they all maintain that common thread - a love of beauty and style. This book delves into their personal lives, what shaped them and how they took these events and crafted themselves into such glamourous creatures. If you truly appreciate the "art of living well" then reading this book will put you in the very best of company.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful insight into the lives of women who defined chic
Review: This has become one of my fashion bibles. Although it does not necessarily offer specific advice about fashion, it throws into high relief the ambition, desire, wit, determination, discipline, and natural talent necessary to develop imitable style. This book transcends the trendsetters and celebrates the true pioneers of elegance. It is more about the essence of chic than a "how to dress/act" manual. The title is very appropriate since every one of the 20th Century Cinderellas profiled recognized the value of style and appearance as a means of acquiring personal power.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting and Sad
Review: This is a good biographical-type book following women who were trendsetters from early to mid-twentieth century. The earlier portraits of the women are interesting because they are less known to modern readers, than say, Jacqueline Kennedy. Nice photographs, good layout. However, I was saddened by the fact that with a few exceptions, most of these women derived their power and style from money -- either inherited and/or married into. These well-bred, intelligent and strong women found no other way to express their individuality or personal power except through the designer clothes, jewelry and ornaments that money could afford them. This book is a fairly good read overall and a revealing snapshot of prominent socialite trendsetters before femminism - nice for a leisurely weekend with a good cup of tea.