The battle of versailles is an excellent social history. Versailles 0 hours and 52 minutes tv series 2015 in 1667, 28yearold allpowerful king of france, louis xiv, decides to build the greatest palace in the world. The battle of versailles, by robin givhan the new york. The battle of versailles, held in the gilded palace of louis xiv in 1973, is one of fashions most storied affairs.
Because of the surrounding social and political events you get a well rounded account of why the fashion show at versailles had such impact. The gallery of great battles is the most important of the historic galleries created by louisphilippe in the palace of versailles. The former gardes francaises subsequently provided the professional core of the new garde nationale. More importantly it is a record of us as a country at the time. Story of the 1973 palace of versailles fashion show, where american fashion would be born, racial barriers broken and the industry forever transformed. Famous runway showdown revisited in versailles 73 wwd. Organized by publicist eleanor lambert, the event was billed as a. As told by robin givhan in the battle of versailles the frocks created by the american designers were not the historymaking element that ignited a chilly november evening in the paris suburbs. On november 28th, 1973, social elites gathered for a showdown between french and american designers in the palace of versailles. The night american fashion stumbled into the spotlight and made history on april 7 from 6.
The competition that shook the fashion industry m2m. Treaty and protocol signed at versailles june 28, 1919. Robin givhans enthusiastic history the battle of versailles is an effort to do for fashion what george tabers the judgment of paris did for. American runway revolution documentary film that traces the iconic fashion battle of versailles between 5 french and 5 american designers. This featurelength film, based on margaret macmillans acclaimed book of the same name, takes us inside the most ambitious peace talks in history. Deemed one of louis xivs best contributions to the palace, historically it was also where the treaty of versailles was signed in 1919 to end wwi. The american runway revolution, released in cinemas in 2012. Imagine the met gala mixed with the oscars and the grammys and youll get some way to understanding exactly what the event dubbed the battle of versailles meant in the context of fashion history. Landmark fashion show broke racial barriers, showcased u.
The night american fashion stumbled into the spotlight and made history by robin givhan. Famous runway showdown revisited in versailles 73 a new documentary recalls the 1973 francoamerican fashion event at the palace of versailles and wwd was there, too. Be the first to ask a question about the battle of versailles. For the second time in history, the americans stormed france in an epic battle. It covers almost the entire first floor of the south wing of the palace and depicts nearly 15 centuries of french military successes, from clovis to napoleon, through 30 or so paintings. Fritz mitchell then went on to recreate the outfits from the american show to produce the 2016 documentary battle at versailles. The battle of versailles fashion show on we heart it. Givhan will discuss and read from the battle of versailles. The battle of versailles by robin givhan the boston globe.