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| Book of the Month |
| Paris A La Mode by Celia Bertin translated from the French by Marjorie Deans |
This book begins through the eyes of the author, but with the feeling that you are right
there beside her witnessing the life and times of the couture world in Paris.
Although it begins with a scene of a photographer and his mannequin (model), the story
proceeds intensely with a premier showing within a Christian Dior Fashion House. We
learn all about the boutiques that house the vendueses (boutique assistants), cashiers,
stock women, cloakroom attendant, and doorman. Attending the premier are journalist,
photographers, clothing manufacturers, and suppliers. The traditional finale of the
wedding dress opens the new world of optimism, desire and of course, money!
After the author gives you the prize first with The Premier, she shares in detail the various
duties and lives of the mannequins, work-hands, countesses, vendueses, and designers.
The detail of the many workrooms from embroidery, millenary, tailoring, dressmaking
and fur are fascinating because she interviews the people that own these subsidiary
trades and how they came to be.
I found this book to give me the base knowledge of the couture life in Paris. I really came
away with a feeling that I actually was there in Paris alongside Celia Bertin. I now
understand what the Americans thought when they said that Celia Bertin is a ―writer of
residence.
I would recommend this read to anyone interested in the couture world. It somehow
gives you relief and resolution as to why those designer dresses are so much money!
---Kim Rogers
Editors Note: This book is out of print however, it is available at the El Camino College
Library.
New York, Harper 1957
Celia Bertin was born in Paris October 22, 1920.
She is a French writer and journalist.
Ms. Bertin is often requested by American
Universities because of her ability to be a
writer of residence. As a novelist, Celia has
investigated and published a plethora of
novels, translating them from French, German,
and Italian.
Celia Bertin was born in Paris October 22, 1920.
She is a French writer and journalist.
Ms. Bertin is often requested by American
Universities because of her ability to be a
writer of residence. As a novelist, Celia has
investigated and published a plethora of
novels, translating them from French, German,
and Italian.