Thanks, Macmillian Audio, for the audiobook! 

 

Fashion history is my passion. I love learning about it, especially when it’s well-researched and presented in an entertaining format. EMPRESSES OF SEVENTH AVENUE by Nancy MacDonell was very interesting. I learned many new things about fashion history as it covered World War II, New York City, and the Birth of American Fashion. I really liked the narrator, Gail Shalan, who kept me engaged and didn’t make it seem like I was listening to a textbook. 

 

It was neat to hear about the American side of fashion during the war and have a more in-depth discussion about “the American Look,” whereas this time frame usually focuses on Parisian designers and their couture houses. They are still discussed, but MacDonell lets the reader know what is going on both sides of the world and how American designers significantly influenced fashion. 

 

This is an excellent listen if you like the podcast Dressed: A History of Fashion, Apple TV’s show The New Look, or are a fan of fashion history.