Valentina: American Couture and the Cult of Celebrity Hardcover – February 17, 2009

Biography, not a guide to her clothes. There are a few pictures of her garments, but most photos are portraits of her (true, she modeled her own clothes, but most of the portraits are of her face).

👍🏻

Extremely well written; absolutely gorgeous photos; fascinating, engaging story. An entertaining read and fantastic fashion book!

Sorry if this offends! BUT, WHAT a one note wonder. This book really is packed with images and really is a wonderful hommage to Valentina. I really liked it but she really encapsulates that over the top 40's look---pre-Dior. Personally, that is my favorite fashion period----before Dior. After all, most women looked good in that kind of uniform look. How many really looked good in Dior? ie, REAL people. Average women really looked bad. Most women don't have that wasp waste....aren't tall enough for HIS look! and wouldn't want padding around their butts! Having said that, 4 stars for Valentina because she really was great in her specific time frame. But her 'look' can also look over done and cheap AND VERY DIVA!...but also that's what makes her fun. But 4 stars because I review lots of fashion books for images and 5 stars is reserved for the original Balanciaga and Vionet and Lanvin...again the originals.

Having such acute insight, Kohle Yohannan, depicts the life, the era and the words, in all its intricate design, of Valentina Sanina Schlee. He bring back the once vanished and forgotten enigma to all her regal glory and glamour, revealing her personage-- anything but, clean cut simplicity, ironically being her signature design dictum.This superb book features beautiful images (many, of the designer herself, as she was her own best model) by the best photographers and illustrators of the time. Yet what is truly remarkable is the story: from her humble beginnings, to detail of her design for life and theater, to her wicked (and at times quite funny) persona, to the juicy love triangles (yes, Greta Garbo takes part!), even to the business aspect (FYI: Her sales consistently increased, even in 1929, as the stock market crashed); She is a true success story.Very inspiring for the modern designer and great read for anyone interested in fashion, theater, or 1930s-50s high society.It is a book of beauty AND substance.

This is a stunning book. The author was clearly bewitched by his subject. His research was meticulous and comprehensive, and the end result is a passionate and thrilling story, about an immigrant artist and the glamorous era in which she became an iconic personality. The fashion photos are exquisite, including many celebrity photos which have never been published before. In addition, early photos of Valentina in the 1920's offer a precious view of the young Russian woman who came to America with dreams and drive. With wit, glamour and creativity she invented her own persona and used it to attract her celebrity clientele. This book provides a wonderful record of her elegant and groundbreaking style.

This books rewards on many levels. First, the clothes are marvelous, intricately cut and draped but very wearable. They just flow over the body, flattering every curve. Second, the story of Valentina's saga inspires the reader to strive to become the person of his or her dreams. The superb photgraphs, many taken by the superstars of the era, the forties and fifties, are accompanied by Kohle Yohannan's intelligent and beautifully written text. Valentina was a gorgeous and original persona and this elegant book tells her story brilliantly.

I heard an interview on National Public Radio with Weekend Edition Host Scott Simon and the author of 'Valentina,' Kohle Yohannan, and was entranced with Valentina's story. I'd never heard of her before. The author really seems to have been affected by a woman he never met.