The FiFi Report 094

The Christmas List:
The Essence of Style; How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication and Glamour By Joan DeJean
This is the book to read if you are interested in fashion, food and history. And yes, anything French. It’s the book about the original King of Bling; Louis XIV.” French historian DeJean’s premise is simple yet wonderfully effective: largely because of one obsessive spendthrift, Louis XIV, France, in the late 17th century, became the arbiter of chic, a position from which it has never since faltered. Louis’s outrageous vanity, sumptuous court and devotion to his own well-being led to growth in the manufacturing of fine clothing and shoes, and the invention of shops in which to buy them, and to celebrity cuisine, cafes and Champagne. Louis was enthralled by glitter, mirrors, and diamonds, and built the first night streetlights (hence the “City of Lights”). Louis also abhorred mud (so streets were paved with cobblestones) and disliked getting wet (thus umbrellas were invented). This engaging history “lite” is a fun read despite its many Sex in the City references’. Sounds good to me.
$16 Publisher: Free Press (July 5, 2005) http://www.amazon.com