A review by illstoptheworldandreadwithyou
Empresses of Seventh Avenue: World War II, New York City, and the Birth of American Fashion by Nancy MacDonell

4.0

 

Empresses of Seventh Avenue is an engrossing look into the women of the American fashion industry, with a focus on the mid-twentieth century. Honestly, most of these names were new to me, but I’m glad I know their stories now. 

 

With a brief foray into how Paris became the epicenter of fashion and then a turn into how fashion changed for America as Paris fell under Nazi control during the Second World War, this book not only details the trajectory of fashion as things pivoted from specially-tailored haute couture to a more ready-to-wear aesthetic but also presents the stories of fascinating feminist figures in their own right. 

 

Although the book does get into the weeds a bit with all the details, it kept my attention from beginning to end. 

 

This would be good for fans of Natasha Lester’s fiction, especially The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre and The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard, who want to dig even more into the history of the fashion industry. 

 

If you prefer to take your reading on the go, I recommend listening to this one on audio. I was easily able to keep up with Gail Shalan’s measured narration. 

 

I received an advance copy of the ebook from St. Martin’s Press and an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio. All review opinions are my own.