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The Beautiful Fall: Fashion, Genius, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris

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Description

A comprehensive biography of the late designer, Karl Lagerfeld, and his infamous rivalry with Yves Saint Laurent. In the 1970s, Paris fashion exploded like a champagne bottle left out in the sun. Amid sequins and longing, celebrities and aspirants flocked to the heart of chic, and Paris became a hothouse of revelry, intrigue, and searing ambition. At the center of it all were fashion's most beloved luminaries - Yves Saint Laurent, the reclusive enfant terrible, and Karl Lagerfeld, the flamboyant freelancer with a talent for reinvention - and they divided Paris into two fabulous halves. Their enduring rivalry is chronicled in this dazzling exposè of an era: of social ambitions, shared obsessions, and the mesmerizing quest for beauty. "Deliciously dramatic... The Beautiful Fall crackles with excitement."-New York Times Book Review "Fascinating." -New York Times "Addictive." -Philadelphia Inquirer "It's like US Weekly, 1970s style." -Gotham "A story constructed as exquisitely as a couture dress. . . . It moves stylishly forward, with frequent over-the-shoulder glances at some very dishy background." -Boston Globe Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company


Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more


Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 28, 2009


Language ‏ : ‎ English


File size ‏ : ‎ 934 KB


Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported


Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled


X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • "We were so much older then..."
The author has captured an essence of a time of manic enchantment, "wretched excess" and moments of tragedy. I was on The Peking, I have been to Regine's and Studio 54 with all doors open. I had the privilege of working at the Met Museum when Vreeland was ensconced. I remember seeing the Opium show. Yes, there were tormented souls, gluttony for every vice, and dying, beautiful boys, but there was no vulgarity in the fantasies and this writer has managed to convey this without having been a participant. Her research and curation of the lives of not only YSL and KL as men and brands — but the many people with whom they enwombed themselves is balanced and accurate without prejudice but nicely discussed with admitted speculation or directness. The care and thought given to her selections of material as well as a substance to her own interpretations creates a smooth and very enjoyable read. The fact that my own memories were provoked has reminded me of all that was jewel-like in the nights in New York and Paris in the 70's. We were not wicked, we were enthralled by these great and shining comets of glory. At the age of 64 I can read this with equanimity and admiration. Much has happened since the publication. YSL died of, it is said, a brain tumor, Betty Catroux is an icon, the Supermodels re-emerge from time to time, more beautiful for their aging, Turlington, Campbell, Evangelista, and so on. Lagerfeld has crystallized into his own image. It is 2017. I found reference to this book via an Instagram photo of Pierre Bergé (87 year) who has just (May 14 news) married Madison Cox. If fashion is not of interest, it shouldn't matter; this is a story of a genius and brilliance, and the "decadence" of the 1970s. If nothing else, one learns the definition of "decadence." ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2017 by Axamermaid
    • An entertaining read
Format: Kindle
I found it very entertaining and is seems to have a good research behind it. Mind you it is (obviously) only for people who have an interest in fashion and the gossip around it, but it gives a fairly good idea of what those crazy years must have been like. The analysis of how Aids affected the fashion industry is quite interesting too. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2014 by Telma Legris
    • The Beautiful Fall
Format: Hardcover
Alicia Drake's "The Beautiful Fall" was the most fascinating and informative book about the last fifty years of the world of haute couture I have read to date. In essence it was the joint biography of Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld, but it also created a vivid picture of the Parisian fashion scene during the period. The book was meticulously researched and filled with marvellous anecdotes and characters, including Antonio Lopez, Paloma Picasso, and Loulou de la Falaise, to name just a few. Especially interesting was the inimitable Pierre Berge, the business brain behind Yves Saint Laurent. I originally found out about this book in a newspaper article about the court case in France over its contents. Karl Lagerfeld sued the author, but in my opinion, it was Yves Saint Laurent whose image was tarnished. Saint Laurent was portrayed as a self-centred, immature man who became increasingly reclusive with time. Lagerfeld, on the other hand, was portrayed as a survivor thanks to his own creativity, hard work and business acumen. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2007 by Nevada Snow
    • Parallel lives of fashion's two big names
This is one of the best fashion novels I've ever read. It is about the stories of Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld, starting from their childhood and following their growth in the fashion world. The two were among the winners of 1954 international wool secretariat, and from than on they have been in a love and hate relationship in the competitive and cruel fashion world. It is not only about them but about everyone that was part of their clique. The book is meticulously written, every single statement is researched by Alice Drake, and all the details are given in the notes, chapter by chapter. I would suggest this to every fashion and fashion history lover. İf you love fashion books visit ---> fashiononbookshelves.com ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2014 by Fashion on bookshelves
    • Quel Feu!
Format: Hardcover
It seems Karl was not very happy with this book...indeed. A friend of mine from Paris who has been on the fashion scene for more than forty years (he traveled with the Kennedy's when they did thier European tour) and knows most of this cast of characters intimately, called to tell me this is a must read. If you are interested in fashion history or just a fashion/gossip junky, this book is for you. A combination of sharp, clear analysis re; recent fashion history, and breathless, delicious stories that recall the excitement that was Paris and fashion at that moment, she informs as well as entertains. This book was fun for me because I've met many of these people. But if you don't already know who these people are, I cannot imagine why you would waste your time turning the pages. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2006 by Joseph
    • Fashion world
Format: Kindle
I found this book interesting, but not as pleasing as Mademoiselle Chanel. However, if one is interested in the fashion world, this will be a good read. It describes the world of this milieu with interesting details such as the building of the collection. It also includs the competition between the fashion houses. There is quite an emphases in life outside the work such as the wild evenings, the drugs and homosexuality, but in general, realistic. I think the book could have been shorter. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2016 by EMMS
    • No where else but Paris, France.
I love beautiful cloths, always have, so was intrigued with the story of some of high fashion leaders, in their time. I think some of their creations ridiculous, without merit, and it sometimes irritates me. But there are others that make the average woman look suburb, and I admire people who can achieve this. I never knew of the decadence (drugs, drugs, and more drugs) of those famous designers in the '70s in Paris, France, but it does explain a lot. The books title says it all. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2019 by Ora Brooks
    • Addictive
Format: Kindle
This book is so well written, structured, and researched, that it completely sucks you into the lives of it’s subjects and French society in the 1970s. Addictive, intriguing, and nuanced.
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2022 by ZestyFresh

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