#BazaarBookstagram | What sets apart couture week from other fashion weeks is the inherent queendom of imagination tailored into each piece that is no less than a labour of love, deliberating change, celebrating craft, creation and artisanship. This week though the surrealism of Schiaparelli had the internet divided even as Viktor & Rolf rallied for skewered perception in an incongruous world. The return to edgy, out-there, and sometimes utilitarian fashion, signalled a coming-of-age, similar to the 1930s, a period framed by two world-changing events—the economic crash of 1929 and the outbreak of the second world war, where new looks emerged and thrived despite social and economic uncertainty. Also, a time by when Schiaparelli had firmly established herself as an innovative designer with a flair for the unconventional. Only befitting then that in the first part of our series, ‘The definitive fashion books to read this year’, #BazaarInsider @pratishtha_dobhal recommends—‘1930s Fashion: A definitive sourcebook’. Fun fact: The opening image of the reel has the cast of ‘The Women’ whose outfits were inspired by Schiaparelli’s avant-garde designs, modified by MGM’s costume designer, Adrian for the all-female cast. Packed with over 500 original photographs, illustrations and sketches from the decade, the book is an essential guide for any fashion historian, student or vintage enthusiast. Timeless images have been selected from popular fashion publications of the day, mail-order catalogues and Hollywood studio press shots, including material from Chic Parisien, Harper’s Bazaar, Sears, La Femme Chic and film studios Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Paramount. About time for #returntoreading to trend? #HarpersBazaarIndia #BazaarIndia #OnlyOnBazaar #BazaarRecommends #Bookstagram #2023Books #RecommendedReading #BooksToRead #GoodReads #Schiaparelli #ElsaSchiaparelli -------------------------------- About the Channel Welcome to the official Youtube channel of Harper's Bazaar India, a melting pot of fashion, culture and lifestyle where you'll find everything from exclusive interviews with some of the industry's leading stalwarts, restaurant reviews, to skincare and beauty DIY videos. Don't forget to like, subscribe and press the notification button. And, oh, do visit harpersbazaar.in for exciting features and breaking news. Follow @bazaarindia on Twitter and Instagram, and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HarpersBazaarIndia