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Cecil Beaton
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The Glass of Fashion: A Personal History of Fifty Years of Changing Tastes and the People Who Have Inspired Them Hardcover – September 2, 2014

by Cecil Beaton (Author), Hugo Vickers (Foreword)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 69 ratings
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Gorgeously repackaged, this reissue of the classic book presents the iconic photographer’s expert and witty reminiscences of the personalities who inspired fashion’s golden eras, and left an indelible mark on his own sense of taste and style. "The camera will never be invented that could capture or encompass all that he actually sees," Truman Capote once said of Cecil Beaton. Though known for his portraits, Beaton was as incisive a writer as he was a photographer. First published in 1954, The Glass of Fashion is a classic—an invaluable primer on the history and highlights of fashion from a man who was a chronicler of taste, and an intimate compendium of the people who inspired his legendary eye. Across eighteen chapters, complemented by more than 150 of his own line drawings, Beaton writes with great wit about the influence of luminaries such as Chanel, Balenciaga, and Dior, as well as relatively unknown muses like his Aunt Jessie, who gave him his first glimpse of "the grown-up world of fashion." Out of print for decades but recognized and sought after as a touchstone text, The Glass of Fashion will be irresistible to a new generation of fashion enthusiasts and a seminal book in any Beaton library. It is both a treasury and a treasure.
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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Rizzoli Ex Libris
  4. Publication date
    September 2, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    6.1 x 1.4 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0847843858
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0847843855
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"So excited to read "the bible of fashion."" -Champagne and Heels

“…this exquisitely reproduced reissue of his 1954 tome, subtitled A Personal History of Changing Tastes and the People Who Have Inspired Them, is a collection of the designer’s photos and commentary. Its 18 chapters, accompanied by more than 150 line drawings by Beaton, feature reminiscences of personalities who influenced fashion and decor. Chanel, Poiret, Schiaparelli, Dior, and other well-known creators sit alongside his Aunt Jessie, a Victorian belle, and some forgotten society types…The foreword by Beaton’s literary executor and designated biographer Hugo Vickers, notes that The Glass of Fashion “has become essential reading for those who study fashion.” The book is that and so much more. It’s a trip back in time with an observant, effervescent, talented, and opinionated guide. Many of his profiles and observations prove to have withstood the test of time. It is as fresh today as when it was first published.” –Library Journal

“First-Rate fashion book…an alluring collection of vignettes of the personalities who inspired fashion during the 40s and 50s.” –Harper’s Bazaar

"The Glass of Fashion is one of the more entertaining books that has surfaced on the topic of fashion. Moreover Mr. Beaton oddly foreshadowed what is still visible in the juxtaposition of fashion and celebrity. Mr. Beaton graciously and almost effusively illustrated this book…Would this be a recommended book for the sophisticated, fashionable, and curious reader? The Glass of Fashion deserves to be in the library of any of the above." –New York Journal of Books

“[One of the] Must-Have Fashion Books of the Fall” –Elle

 “Dashing!” –Papercity Magazine

About the Author

Sir Cecil Beaton (1904–1980) was a photographer in the 1920s for Vanity Fair and Vogue. As a portraitist, he photographed the stars of fashion, society, and the art worlds, and was considered the unofficial court photographer of the British royal family. He was also an Oscar-winning stage and costume designer. Hugo Vickers is Beaton’s official biographer and literary executor. He has lectured about him all over the world and assisted with the many exhibitions devoted to Beaton.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rizzoli Ex Libris; Reissue edition (September 2, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0847843858
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0847843855
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.7 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 1.4 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 69 ratings

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Cecil Beaton

Cecil Beaton

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
69 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Perpetual Student
5.0 out of 5 stars More than just a fashion history
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2019
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Warning: this review is written by a grandma. To me this book is like The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life by Thomas Moore. Moore talks about what is missing in the soul of our society, and how to change it. In somewhat the same way, if you dig into Beaton's book, (l had to look up a lot of the words he uses) you find that he is talking about women and internal beauty, and womanly values; not just clothing style and fashion history. The history alone is excellent, as it is written by a contemporary, for the most part. Some of the details about prominent figures seem superfluous at first, but that is to be expected from an author who is passionate enough to write an entire book on a subject. I haven't finished it yet, but plan to read it again. Our present culture disturbs me. I see such vacant stares coming from models in magazines. I know that times have changed, and with them, the definition of beauty, but something tells me that we are choosing unattractive models because we value not only a lack of external beauty, but a lack of internal feminine beauty as well. Granted, not all beautiful people are virtuous, and models are, to some extent, just supposed to show the clothes and not compete with them, but the vacancy in the eyes and faces of current models troubles me. And, here, in Beaton's book, you find his, and other designers' opinions about inner beauty as well as style. He says "It is as though the soul had gone out of modern living..." Personally l don't think we have lost that, but rather that we have mixed feminine and masculine virtues to the point where we have lost a lot of the feminine ones. And through a better understanding of the words he chooses, eg. piquancy, l think one can get a description of what we're missing. I value Beaton's work because he goes beyond style to discussing the relationship between style, culture, and our values.
13 people found this helpful
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MinK
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Entertaining Look at Fashions and Personalities That Influenced Beaton
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2014
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So glad this book is back in print. It used to be that I could only find this book at the library. You will really enjoy this book if you are interested in history of fashion, and intriguing personalities with lots of style. Beaton's illustrations, scattered throughout the book, are charming. Apparently the U.K. version also includes photographs that couldn't be included in the U.S. version due to copy right issues. I will be on the look out for the U.K. version, but for now, I am pleased to own a copy of this unusual and entertaining book.
12 people found this helpful
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BooksReader
5.0 out of 5 stars opinions from an icon
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2015
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It is surreal to read a book written by such an icon as Cecil Beaton. I get a kick out of his opinions of the day and of what he saw in his younger/childhood days. As a designer, I like to 'see' from the perspective of other designers and of different times - this book satisfies both. As a bonus, he really is a hoot!
5 people found this helpful
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Eric Sassaman
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is beautifully produced and truly a fun
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2016
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This book is beautifully produced and truly a fun, sometimes biting read. But then again, what else would one expect from the pen of Cecil Beaton.
Upon receipt, I immediately ordered another copy as a gift as I was so thoroughly taken by the quality & artistry of the book itself, as well as by the contents.
5 people found this helpful
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andrew haynes
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2018
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Excellent tome at an honest price arrived quickly as described. Top-notch seller - thank you!
One person found this helpful
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Bookcrazy
5.0 out of 5 stars As described
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2018
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As described
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Martualexandria
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2019
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This book Is well-written, but adds nothing to those who love fashion and design. The author endlessly describes the excentric behavior of some famous socialités from that period. Sheer gossip!! Utterly boring.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I am loving this book. It is a pleasure ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2016
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I am loving this book. It is a pleasure to read!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Diana Esmits
5.0 out of 5 stars This is to be a gift
Reviewed in Canada on January 1, 2021
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Am sure our daughter will enjoy this insight into Beaton. It is to be part of her birthday gift. So not read yet
One person found this helpful
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Shikha D.
1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the money! Very bad quality
Reviewed in India on November 29, 2020
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I spent weeks waiting for this book and all I got was a ragged dirty book. I am disappointed and I wouldn't recommend this seller because of the lack for respect for customer, absolute disregard for quality and overall lack of good experience.
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Shikha D.
1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the money! Very bad quality
Reviewed in India on November 29, 2020
I spent weeks waiting for this book and all I got was a ragged dirty book. I am disappointed and I wouldn't recommend this seller because of the lack for respect for customer, absolute disregard for quality and overall lack of good experience.
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Roberta Dimola
5.0 out of 5 stars Good reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2015
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wonderful, thank you!
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Angel Weeks
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book, cannot say enough praise for this book
Reviewed in Canada on June 13, 2018
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Amazing book, cannot say enough praise for this book. Cecil's voice thoughout the book is fantastic, great observations artistically recalled for maximum fashionista pleasure! please read this book if you love fashion at all:)
One person found this helpful
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margyfenwick
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2015
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wonderful book
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