Customer Reviews

The Power of Style

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The power of style" was brought to my attention through the testimonials from Amazon.
It's an easy read, like the soap operas of the fashion magazines, where reader also glances at pictures. Actually it encloses mini-biographies of several interesting 20th century women, whom the author characterized them as the most stylish women.

Unfortunately, it delivers only a partial message on "Style".

Deceived by the title of the book, I was waiting for a keen analyze on style, like a treatise. Just reading about the lives of some "stylish" heroines, the reader can realize that their style was an elaborated fake, no wonder their adopted styles and lives collided brutally at some point in time notably after they have lost their youth and their men cheated and left them.
There are very few examples like Chanel and Elsie de Wolf, which were born talented, women who found their way to the top through hard work and creation; the rest of the presented ladies were rich women, either born rich or becoming rich from marriages/arranged marriages even by trading their own children with their ex-husbands for a hefty settlement.

This is irrelevant to authentic style; money helps to create a look, but this does not mean that adopted style can be your own self. It's just an artificial envelope. Style is above and beyond money.

Authentic style is harmony itself which is reflected by all levels of an individual: physical, intellectual and spiritual. This was not explained, nor analyzed anywhere by the author.

You need this book if you love fashion. I wish the book was larger; that's my only wish! Some people say they wish there were more colored pictures, but early photography was B&W; for one reason, it captured the nuances of the clothing, and I guess color photography wasn't as prolific in the times that some of these ladies had their heyday. This book is interesting both to READ and to LOOK at! You will pick it up several times a year just to drool over the lovely pictures and re-read the lives and choices of these ladies. It's my very favorite book on style, and I have Ultimate Style: Helena Rubenstein: Over the Top; Oscar de la Renta; Shocking: Elsa Shcaparelli; and I even count Happy Times (Lee Radziwill) as one of my style books. I recommend all of these books, by the way! Also get D.V., Diana Vreeland: The Bazaar Years, and Vreeland if you like Diana Vreeland--=she's a really interesting style icon. Someone needs to put together an exhibit on her for the Metropolitan Museum (since she was the longtime curator of their Costume Institute and she made it what it is today, as far as I can tell from what I've read...incredible style, imagination, and flair!) Please buy this book; you won't regret it. It's a glimpse into a bygone era that still fascinates us and calls on us to imulate it.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!!

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.