With images of the four houses' most timeless and celebrated designs, plus captivating text on the personalities and lives of the creative geniuses behind the brands, The Little Guides to Style III is the quintessential collection that will delight any fashion lover.

Containing the stories of four legendary fashion houses, this collectable box holds a beautiful set of covetable style guides.

Exploring four designers who exemplify elegance and high couture, these little books of fashion follow these brands from their creation, moving through their style evolutions, the key looks that define them and their impact on the fashion landscape today.

Discover the story behind the Birkin with the Little Book of Hermès, the creation of red carpet elegance with Valentino, the construction of architectural masterpieces with Balenciaga and the complete re-imagination of the iconic brand with Chanel by Lagerfeld.

Featuring hundreds of exquisite images and text by best-selling authors, these definitive guides to luxury style are the perfect gift for any fashion lover.

About the Authors:

Emma Baxter-Wright has taught fashion journalism at the University of the Arts, London and UCA. She has contributed to many publications including the New York Observer, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, and is the bestselling author of Little Book of Chanel. Emma lives in Gloucestershire, England.
Karen Homer is an established fashion journalist who worked as a fashion columnist for The Times and has contributed to the Telegraph, Harpers & Queen, Elle, World of Interiors and Vogue. She is the author of Little Book of Dior and Things a Woman Should Know About Style. She lives in London.
Emmanuelle Dirix is a fashion historian and curator. She teaches at the Antwerp Fashion Academy and Manchester Metropolitan University, and has lectured at the Royal College of Art and University of the Arts London. She is the author of Unravel: Knitwear in Fashion, Fashion Sourcebook 1920s and 1930s Fashion: the Definitive Sourcebook.
 

A pocket-sized, illustrated book depicting the work and life of Balenciaga the couturier.

'Haute couture is like an orchestra, whose conductor is Balenciaga. We other couturiers are the musicians and we follow the direction he gives' - Christian Dior

The godfather of conceptual design, a master of shape, a true fashion game changer – all are accolades bestowed upon one of the most interesting, venerated and iconic couturiers of the twentieth century: Cristóbal Balenciaga. His pureness of line, the comfort of his garments and innovative work with textiles, colour and volume made a huge impact on twentieth-century fashion, with creations such as the babydoll, balloon and sack dresses still influencing fashion today.

Through stunning images and captivating text, Little Book of Balenciaga depicts the work and life of Balenciaga the couturier. Fashion historian Emmanuelle Dirix examines his legacy both through tracing the Maison's artistic direction after his death, and the generations of designers influenced by the master himself.

About the Author:

Emmanuelle Dirix is a fashion historian and curator. She teaches at the Antwerp Fashion Academy and Manchester Metropolitan University, and has lectured at the Royal College of Art and University of the Arts London. She is the author of Unravel: Knitwear in Fashion, 1920s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook and 1930s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook.

The essential handbook for all fashion historians, students and vintage enthusiasts of the 1940s.

From the ashes of the Second World War came forward-thinking fashions, the likes of which had never been seen before.

The early Forties were defined by thriftiness and practicality, a make-do-and-mend attitude in a time of war. However, the latter half of the decade saw the emergence of the traditional femininity, elegance and luxury often associated with the era. Spanning the austerity of the war years to the introduction of Dior's revolutionary New Look, this extensive survey brings together vintage photography and illustrations to follow the season-by-season fashion evolution of the Forties, providing a comprehensive overview of this period of contrasts.

1940s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook covers every aspect of female fashions from the decade, from lace evening gowns, tailored jackets and furs to figure-sculpting undergarments, satin negligées and scandalous bikinis, offering the most comprehensive appraisal of this age of wartime and post-war glamour. This in-depth look at the styles and trends that shaped 1940s fashion features images of the decade's most iconic stars and designers. Stylish leading ladies such as Veronica Lake, Joan Bennett and Barbara Stanwyck are included as well as designs by Dior, Lucien Lelong, Balmain and Worth.

Authored and edited by renowned design historian, Charlotte Fiell, this volume also contains an authoritative introduction by fashion historian, Emmanuelle Dirix, as well as the biographies of the key designers and fashion houses of the period.

About the Authors:

Charlotte & Peter Fiell are leading authorities on the history, theory and criticism of design. To date, they have published over 60 titles and around 5 million copies of their books have been sold worldwide in over 20 different languages. Their books include The Story of Design, 1,000 Chairs and Industrial Design A-Z. They live in Chipping Campden, UK.
Emmanuelle Dirix is a fashion historian and curator. She teaches at the Antwerp Fashion Academy and Manchester Metropolitan University, and has lectured at the Royal College of Art and University of the Arts London. She is the author of Unravel: Knitwear in Fashion, 1920s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook and 1930s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook.

The essential handbook for all fashion historians, students and vintage enthusiasts of the 1930s.

From the turbulence of the 1930s emerged the Golden Age of Glamour.

Framed by two world-changing events – the economic crash of 1929 and the outbreak of the Second World War – the 1930s saw new looks emerge and thrive, despite economic and social uncertainty.

This was the decade of the bias cut, the statement shoulder, the puff sleeve, the tea dress, the fur shrug and the floor-length evening gown. It was also the era that saw Hollywood challenge Paris's fashion crown and its stars become fashion icons, signalling a new grown-up direction in womenswear design.

Packed with over 500 original photographs, illustrations and sketches from the decade, this is an essential guide for any fashion historian, student or vintage enthusiast. These classic images have been selected from popular fashion publications of the day, mail-order catalogues and Hollywood studio press shots, including material from Chic Parisien, Harper's Bazaar, Sears, La Femme Chic and film studios Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Paramount.

Authored and edited by renowned design historian, Charlotte Fiell, this volume also contains an authoritative introduction by fashion historian, Emmanuelle Dirix, as well as the biographies of the key designers and fashion houses of the period.

About the Authors:

Charlotte & Peter Fiell are leading authorities on the history, theory and criticism of design. To date, they have published over 60 titles and around 5 million copies of their books have been sold worldwide in over 20 different languages. Their books include The Story of Design, 1,000 Chairs and Industrial Design A-Z. They live in Chipping Campden, UK.
Emmanuelle Dirix is a fashion historian and curator. She teaches at the Antwerp Fashion Academy and Manchester Metropolitan University, and has lectured at the Royal College of Art and University of the Arts London. She is the author of Unravel: Knitwear in Fashion, Fashion Sourcebook 1920s and 1930s Fashion: the Definitive Sourcebook.

The essential handbook for all fashion historians, students and vintage enthusiasts of the 1920s.

From the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties came a fashion revolution.

The 1920s is a decade synonymous with social change, reflected in its groundbreaking fashions: from the daring elegance of the 'New Woman' to never-before-seen silhouettes, the styles of the Roaring Twenties still capture the imagination a century later.

Sumptuously illustrated with over 500 original photographs, sketches and prints, this extensive sourcebook documents the season-by-season fashions of the Jazz Age. Follow the evolving fashion trends and uncover a fascinating analysis of the progression from haute couture to ready-to-wear in this essential handbook for all fashion historians, students and vintage enthusiasts.

Authored and edited by renowned design historian, Charlotte Fiell, this volume also contains an authoritative introduction by fashion historian Emmanuelle Dirix, as well as the biographies of the key designers and fashion houses of the period.

About the Authors:

Charlotte & Peter Fiell are leading authorities on the history, theory and criticism of design. To date, they have published over 60 titles and around 5 million copies of their books have been sold worldwide in over 20 different languages. Their books include The Story of Design, 1,000 Chairs and Industrial Design A-Z. They live in Chipping Campden, UK.
Emmanuelle Dirix is a fashion historian and curator. She teaches at the Antwerp Fashion Academy and Manchester Metropolitan University, and has lectured at the Royal College of Art and University of the Arts London. She is the author of Unravel: Knitwear in Fashion, Fashion Sourcebook 1920s and 1930s Fashion: the Definitive Sourcebook.