Art Deco Fashion
By Suzanne Lussier 

     Art Deco Fashion is an elegant examination of the Art Deco movement in fashion. The book serves to encapsulate the strides made in apparel design within this artistic era (from 1909 to 1939). The introduction clarifies the concept of the Art Deco style, which was prevalent in many art forms, such as architecture, the decorative and fine arts, fashion, film, and photography. Art Deco is a clean, extravagant aesthetic that incorporates modernity with classic archtypes, folk art, and primitive cultures.

     The author then goes on to profile two major Art Deco designers, Paul Poiret and Jeanne Lanvin. From 1908 to 1914, Poiret's designs established the beginning concepts of Art Deco fashion, with draped silhouettes and exotic prints balanced by simple, clean structure. Lanvin's signature design, the picture dress of the 1920s, had a loose, lean bodice with a drop-waist skirt. This core design was the basis for the flat, straight dress, cinched at the hips so commonly associated with 1920's fashion. The author, Ms. Lussier, gives overviews of Art Deco's impact on daywear, eveningwear, and sportswear ( a new concept in the 1920s). Also highlighted are two primary design influences, exoticism and the avant-garde art movement. The author also discusses two other designers whose visions captured the spirit of Art Deco, Madeleine Vionnet and Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. The Art Deco style even encompassed accessories such as hats, shoes, bags with ornate yet modern flair. Proper hair, makeup, and foundation garments completed the look. Fashion illustration, photography, and cinema delivered the images of the Art Deco style to the world.

     As a final note, Ms. Lussier points to the 1925 Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris as a pivotal event in documenting the Art Deco movement in fashion. This enthusiastic response at this international expo solidified the Art Deco fashion aesthetic's place in modern fashion.