A Matter of Fashion: 20 Iconic Items that Changed the History of Style

When it comes to fashion, the term “icon” is almost invariably associated with a person: a man or, more often, a woman whose style has left a mark on the col-lective imagination. And yet, there are also objects that have the same extraor-dinary evocative power, items of clothing or accessories which, in different ways, have revolutionized the history of fashion. The birth of the Burberry trench coat, flat pumps or Givenchy’s little black dress were milestones after which nothing was ever the same. Each designer, label or fast-fashion manufacturer has had to come to terms with fashion icons’ existence, by quoting or revisiting them, or simply by copying creations that have now become classics. Some of these are even known by their original name, like the Kelly bag and Borsalino hats. Others, over the years, have also gained sociopolitical connotations (Levi’s jeans, for example, which were once workwear, became a symbol of the Sixties youth rev-olution), while others, such as Hermès scarves and Chanel No.5 perfume, contin-ue to be status symbols. This book with historical illustrations, cult advertising and beautiful still lifeshots of the products featured, narrates the history and anecdotes, and tells of the famous people and intrinsic values relating to the must-have fashion items.