Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour

An account of how the French in the 17th-century under Louis XIV set the standards of sophistication, style, & glamour that still rule our lives today. Explains how a handsome young king with a great sense of style decided to make both himself & his country legendary. By the end of the reign of Louis XIV, the French had become accepted all over the world as the arbiters in matters of taste & style & had established a dominance in the luxury trade that continues to this day. Takes us back to the birth of haute cuisine, the first appearance of celebrity hairdressers, chic cafes, nightlife, & fashion in elegant dress that extended well beyond the limited confines of court circles. And Paris was the center -- the destination of travelers all across Europe. Illus.