#nancymcdonnell

Empresses of Seventh Avenue: World War II, New York City, and the Birth of American Fashion by Nancy McDonnell 

US pub date - 8/27/24

Fashion is huge and it’s always, always around, regardless of where you are. 

Many are familiar with Dior’s New Look or his name, if little else. Or Richard Avedon.

But… 

Elizabeth Hawes?

Zelda Wynn Valdes?

Ann Lowe?

Claire McCardell? 

Marjorie Griswold? 

Dorothy Shaver?

Lois Long? 

Virginia Pope?

Eleanor Lambert?

Diane Vreeland?

Louise Dahl-Wolfe? 

Carmel Snow? 

With the exception of Diane Vreeland, these are names I was introduced to for the first time in the first chapter. Have you heard of these fashion creating women or the women who helped these fashions succeed? 

Nancy McDonnell, a fashion historian, has obviously put time into researching and bringing these women and their accomplishments into the light of the twenty-first century. 

Though I would have also liked to read more about WOC in fashion, I enjoyed this, spent a lot of time googling, and learned quite a bit. 

Recommended for anyone interested in fashion, history, 

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC