A NEW YORK TIMES MOST ANTICIPATED • "Reads like a work of fiction, but remarkably, it's all true" (Airmail) • In the tradition of The Barbizon and The Girls of Atomic City, fashion historian and journalist Nancy MacDonell chronicles the untold story of how the Nazi invasion of France gave rise to the American fashion industry.Calvin Klein. Ralph Lauren. Donna Karan. Halston. Marc Jacobs. Tom Ford. Michael Kors. Tory Burch.

Nancy MacDonell Smith explores the origins, meaning, and remarkable staying power of the ten staples of feminine fashion:* the little black dress* the white shirt* the cashmere sweater* blue jeans* the suit* high heels* pearls* lipstick* sneakers* the trench coatTracing the evolution of each item from inception to icon status, she reveals the history and social significance of each, from the black dress's associat...

There are still a few things money can’t buy. Love is one, cool is another. But while love can be left to fate, cool doesn’t need to be. Though it may seem like something you’re born with, cool is actually a code, and you’re holding the key to the code in your hands. It’s all a matter of getting the right facts straight: Why is Jackson Pollock important? What handbag will get you upgraded at the airport? Who is Jacques Derrida and why does he matter? Covering everything from fashion and de...

"This audiobook is perfect not only for people in love with fashion, but also for anyone interested in fashion as art, obsession, and ever-present societal phenomenon."—BooklistA Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.In the tradition of The Barbizon and The Girls of Atomic City, fashion historian and journalist Nancy MacDonell chronicles the untold story of how the Nazi invasion of France gave...