Marcel Rochas: Designing French Glamour

Features of Marcel Rochas: Designing French Glamour

The first fashion monograph on Marcel Rochas a key twentiethcentury womens wear designer written by his daughter Fashion designer Marcel Rochas 19021955 made considerable and enduring contributions to the world of fashion his legacy has inspired a range of contemporary designers In this lavish monograph his daughter Sophie Rochas provides an intimate firsthand account that includes her childhood memories and rare access to the familys private archives She provides insight into her fathers talents as an innovative designer communications genius revered socialite attentive father and demanding husband as well as the style influences that inspired himRochass trademarks included exaggerated shoulders the waspwaisted bodice a strapless girdle that defined the female silhouette of the 40s and 50s a judicious combination of fabrics contrasting prints his Sirne gown and the Oiseau dress His myriad creations were favored by many starlets including Carole Lombard Marlene Dietrich Mae West and Danielle Darrieux both onscreen and offThis lavishly illustrated work includes family photographs portraits by the great fashion photographers his iconic perfume bottles and his most significant womens wear creations During his thirtyyear career he opened two couture houses employed an army of workers and created innumerable pieces that have since become milestones in the history of womens wear