I don't think that I've ever seen so many beautiful dress together in a single book. Each page features a stunning dress - whether it's couture, ready-to-wear, or somewhere in between - accompanied by insightful and witty commentary by Rubenstein, who obviously loves dresses and fashion. The range of style is especially wonderful, because eve thuogh there is a sway towards red carpet gowns ther eis also a good selection of runway pieces and examples from the tv/film industry. I personally would have liked to see more runway looks, but that's why there are so many coffee table books devoted to specific fashion designers published these days.

My only complaint is that the book could have been organized better. There are two ways I can see it being done better: as a chronological time line or by sections. I like the sectioning idea best, because the organization of the dresses by categories such as runway looks, red carpet gowns, tv/movie stars, and celebrity showcases would have given the book a better flow of information and imagery than the random organization that is present. ( )

"Women's fashion is a culturally pervasive, behavior-altering, trend-inducing, emotion-stirring, perpetually exhausting, psychologically daring, hopefully uplifting yet potentially scarring, and occasionally foolish but undeniably influential celebration of craftsmanship, showmanship, ego, and seduction that has us more riveted and more attuned to its output and our appearances than ever before."

By the fashion director of Instyle magazine, and with a forward by designer and dressmaker Alber Elbaz, this is a great book for hard core fashionatas and people like me who religiously read Instyle and find the red carpet coverage the best part of an awards show.

These dresses are, in Rubenstein's opinion, the ones that stand out as the "WOW" moments of fashion history - the perfect blending of the dress and the wearer's ability to carry off the outfit with mesmorizing effect. Starting with Gianni Versace's 'Safety-Pin Gown'- worn by Elizabeth Hurley for the world premiere of her then beau Hugh Grant's movie Four Weddings and a Funeral back in 1994 - Rubenstein bounces the reader through time - and fashion - in an eclectic manner.

While I don't always agree with Rubenstein's decision behind including some of the dresses in this collection, I cannot fault the inside scoop presentation of the history behind the dresses' creations and the sometimes collaborative nature between the designer and the "model" - such was the relationship between Hubert de Givenchy and the actress Audrey Hepburn - as that had me page turning almost as much as the pictures did. Who can forget the chartreuse colored chinoiserie gown by Galliano that Nicole Kidman wore to the 1997 Academy Awards or the white halter dress by Travilla worn by Marilyn Monroe.... yah, the one where she is standing over the subway system grating? I was intrigued to learn that the tangerine orange gown by Vera Wang that Charlize Theron wore to the 2000 Academy Awards achieved its unique iridescence color and effect through multiple overlays of chiffon in different hues including pistachio, lemon, vermillion and pink.

Overall, great eye candy with enticing insider stories from one that has been a fashion "insider" for some time.

... and for those interested in knowing, the cover art is a picture of the bodice of the dinner gown by Hubert de Givenchy that Jacqueline Kennedy wore to a dinner at Versailles hosted by President and Madame de Gaulle during President Kennedy and the first lady's trip to Paris in 1961. ( )