Fabulous Frocks: A celebration of dress design

This book delves into the rich tapestry of dress design throughout modern history, starting with the liberation from corsets in the 1920s and extending to the avant-garde creations of present-day designers. Ever since Coco Chanel introduced the iconic little black dress in 1926, it has solidified its place as a wardrobe essential for women everywhere. Despite the decades that have seen more practical fashion like trousers and separates become mainstream, the allure of stunning, elegant dresses remains irresistible, whether worn on the Hollywood red carpet or during a wedding ceremony. The dress has long been a fashion mainstay, experiencing dramatic shifts over the past century—hemlines rising and falling from ankles to thighs and silhouettes moving from form-fitting to voluminous—and yet, our fascination with this garment endures.

From Gres' fluid drapes to the structured elegance of Dior's New Look, from the bold mini of Mary Quant to the technological wonders of Hussein Chalayan, and even Kate Middleton's memorable wedding dress, this book explores the evolution of the dress in the last hundred years. Through thematic chapters, it highlights the inspirations and consequences of each style transition, accompanied by breathtaking photographs. "Fabulous Frocks" offers a vibrant tribute to the dress in its many incarnations, making it an essential read for any fashion enthusiast. Described as "a glorious celebration of a hundred years of the dress" by the Daily Mail, this book is a testament to the lasting impact of these iconic styles. Sarah Gristwood, a best-selling biographer of the Tudor era and an expert on royal affairs, brings her insightful perspective to this work.