I have so many books I’ve acquired or discovered recently and want to share. I’m going to start with Vionnet by Betty Kirke, a fantastic book well worth the hefty cover price (mine came from the library, but I do plan to purchase it now).

If you don’t know of Madeleine Vionnet, she was a revolutionary French fashion designer who created complex forms that followed and accentuated the natural curves of a woman’s body, rather than trying to control it with corsets and crinolines. She is best known for her use of the bias cut, a cut that is near and dear to me.

I’d commit crimes for that dress with the deco deer buckle.

The fantastic thing about this book, and what makes it worth the price, is the inclusion of patterns for many of Vionnet’s original designs. I haven’t actually attempted to recreate any of the designs, but the instructions are somewhat lacking, I must say. Kathleen at Fashion Incubator has recently acquired the Japanese version of the Vionnet book, and recommends it as far superior in instruction and usability. If you can find it.

Or you can order the domestic version right here.

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