The evening dress is unlike any other article of clothing a woman will ever own. For centuries it has wielded the ability to transform the wearer into an object of beauty poised for seduction. In the twenty-first century, with casual dress increasingly the norm, the evening dress remains an enigma. Dusk Till Dawn charts the fascinating history of this special garment, illustrated with archival photographs, original illustrations and beautiful fashion images. From the magnificent gowns worn by Venetian courtesans, to spangling flapper dresses hand-stitched with hundreds of beads, to backless satin sheaths designed to reflect the light, to fairytale layers of froth and tulle, every imaginable style is covered. Famous designers, priceless materials, muses and celebrities, love affairs, parties, banquets, balls and decadent nights - all are summoned up to tell the story of the evening dress.

Author Biography

Alexandra Black first became intrigued by fashion and cultural history on a journalistic assignment to interview Yohji Yamamoto in Tokyo, 12 years ago. Since then she has continued to explore these themes in her writing, contributing to publications around the world including Elle and Vogue Living. She is the author of Ski Style, The Japanese House and Living in Cuba all published by Scriptum Editions.