Socialites, Patrons,
and Artists: 1920 to 1960

By Thierry Coudert

Synopsis: In the 1930s New York society editor Colly Knickerbocker coined the term ‘café society’ and instantly it came to symbolize - be it in Paris, London, New York, or elsewhere - that group of seemingly carefree people who frequented fashionable restaurants, night-clubs, and resorts. The truth is that there was more than met the eye and without these extravagant aristocrats, socialites, and millionaires many of the artists to whom we today pay so much homage, might never have been brought to light.

In Café Society a closer look is given to those habitués and frequenters of Parisian café society. Both as patrons who galvanized some of the greatest creative talents of the 20th century and as the talents themselves: painters, fashion designers, choreographers, and musicians … all of them dazzled at parties, onboard cruise liners, at house parties, and in the press. Extravagant elegance, fantasy parties, and surreal collages from personal photograph albums are featured in this abundant chronology of a bygone era. The Windsors, Diana Cooper, Mona Bismarck, Cole Porter, Barbara Hutton, Daisy Fellowes, Ali Kahn, Cecil Beaton, Porfirio Rubirosa, Oliver Messel, Yves Saint Laurent, Elsa Schiaparelli, Diana Vreeland, Lee Miller, and Violet Trefusis are just a few members of this sophisticated and avant-garde group.

Profusely illustrated with many never-before-seen images, Café Society is a thoroughly documented glimpse into the houses, villas, yachts, parties, clubs, polo fields, and photo albums of this cosmopolitan group; a group who, whilst having a very enjoyable time, spurred so much creativity in style and fashion during three decades.

Both in Paris and around the world, this stylish set spawned intrigue and generated impact. For those who love fashion, style, history, and glamour, this book showcases it all.

Thierry Coudert co-authored the exhibition catalogue for Cartier 1899 – 1949 at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in 2007. A close friend of café society ringleader Alexis de Redé and a collector of Art Déco pieces, he holds extensive archives and period publications on the café society.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caf%C3%A9-Society-Socialites-Patrons-Artists/dp/2080301578/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287068786&sr=1-1

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
This is a wonderful book, full of information, beautifully photographed and illustrated, an intriguing insight into a previous generation. An elegant and stylishly produced book, if you love fashion, history and style this book is a perfect showcase! Absolutely fascinating!