Monday, March 27, 2017

Chasing Chatsworth: This Week, All About ‘House Style’, the Exciting Book Newly Published by Skira/Rizzoli

It’s the richly illustrated 212-page catalog for ‘House Style’ Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth’ the big summer exhibit that opens this week.

For Duchess of Devonshire fans (and fans of the Mitford and Cavendish families) this witty and very insider book follows the heirs of the dukedom for five centuries. And it’s chic and a bit eccentric, just like the entire family tree.

Over eight chapters, with an introduction by Stoker Devonshire, the current duke, there are also pages of family photos, a close-up of the ‘Mitford Style’, along with ballgowns, Hubert de Givenchy, the duke’s slippers and pajamas, and the extraordinary Palladio-influenced interiors and baroque paintings as background.

The show and book underscore the subversive Cavendish understatement mixed with grandeur.

As this witty new fashion exhibit opens at the great Derbyshire house, I’ll also take you on a detour to my library, dishing with Deborah Devonshire and her remarkable books. Pour a glass of claret and join me.


‘House Style’ is newly published by Skira/Rizzoli.


Laura Burlington, wife of the heir of the Duke of Devonshire, persuaded Hamish Bowles to put this fascinating show and volume together. The great Patrick Kinmonth is the curator and designer of the show, which includes staff livery, centuries of christening gowns, Andrew Grima jewels from the seventies, along with couture gowns and wedding gowns, and a splash of current fashions.




Chatsworth has been home to the Cavendish family and the hereditary dukes of Devonshire since the original Elizabethan house was built on the site purchased by Sir William Cavendish in 1549. It’s renowned for its fashionable history—and its couture and tiaras, magnificent lace and splendid livery, and its unrivaled collection of art, palatial gardens, and celebrated family dynasty,

Gucci is a sponsor of the show. Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele is an obsessed anglophile, and he of course swooned of Chatworth (used as background for recent Gucci ads).




This is Chatsworth’s most ambitious exhibition to date. It explores the history of fashion and adornment at Chatsworth, and brings to life individuals from the Cavendish family, including Bess of Hardwick, one of the most powerful women of the 16 th century. There’s also “Empress of Fashion” Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and Adele Astaire, the sister and dance partner of Fred Astaire. Nancy Mitford, model Stella Tennant and John F Kennedy’s sister ‘Kick’ Kennedy are central to the show.

The exhibition runs at Chatsworth from 25 March to 22 October 2017.






Chatsworth and Debo

I’ve been a bit obsessed with the art treasures of Chatsworth, as well as the landscape and gardens, its collection of Lucian Freud portraits, the decorating (very classic grand English country house and highly influential). 

I’ve long been an admirer of the droll Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire, for many years. Count me among thousands of Debo fans, who include photographer Bruce Weber and Anna Wintour, Lucian Freud, the Queen, Patrick Leigh Fermor, and Nicholas Haslam and many stars and artists and authors too fabulous to mention. Whippet-thin model Stella Tennant, a favorite of Karl Lagerfeld’s, is Debo’s granddaughter.





The Divine Debo In My Library
The antics and adventures and books and eccentricities of the Mitford sisters (including Nancy) have been in my focus since ‘Hons and Rebels’ was published some years ago. I have a first edition. It details the Mitford sisters’ childhood and family. Witty.

There have been many books written about and by Deborah Devonshire, including collections of her letters, a biography, and a collaboration with her dear (and dearly departed) author friend Patrick Leigh Fermor.

I’ve been fortunate to collect signed copies, including one signed by both Debo and Paddy.

When I met Debo in London, where she signed my book. I mentioned to her that I also had a copy of ‘The Duchess of Devonshire’s Chatsworth Cookery Book’ even though I don’t cook.

“That makes two of us,” she chortled. ‘I have not cooked for over fifty years.”

The duchess then confided that when her cookery book was in production, one of her longtime housekeepers happened to see the cover. ‘Isn’t that a bit like a blind man teaching someone to drive,” she said to Debo.









A Gathering of Talent

‘House Style’ Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth, by Laura Burlington and Hamish Bowles, published by Skira/ Rizzoli. 

Foreword by the Duke of Devonshire, Edited by Hamish Bowles, Texts by Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, Charlotte Mosley, Sarah Mower, Diana Scarisbrick and Sophia Topley. Introduction by the Countess of Burlington.

www.rizzoliusa.com

Where to Buy Books About Chatsworth and the Devonshires 

An excellent source for all books about Chatsworth and the Cavendish and Devonshire families is Heywood Hill bookshop in London.

It is owned by the Duke of Devonshire. Brown-paper wrapped books for him, awaiting pickup, are stacked on shelves in the storage cupboard.

When you acquire ‘Home Style’ from Heywood Hill, I propose that you ask if your copy could be signed by Laura Burlington and Hamish Bowles. The book is recently published and no doubt there are booksignings planned. While Burlington and Bowles are caught up in opening celebrations of fashion presentations at Chatsworth, it is logical to imagine that they will stop in at Heywood Hill to sign some copies of heir book. I hope so. Good luck with that.

Heywood Hill, one of my frequent stops when I’m in London, is also the perfect source for books on the English nobility, English history, and quirky biographies.

www.heywoodhill.com or Heywood Hill, 10 Curzon Street, Mayfair, London.

Quick note:  I’ve written about The Beaumont hotel, also situated in Mayfair, a five-minute walk from Heywood Hill.

Noted restaurateur/ hotelier Jeremy King, a partner in The Beaumont, is a bibliophile, and he treats guests at the hotel with libraries and shelves stocked with London/English history/biographical books from Heywood Hill, for their enjoyment during their stay. A fantastic perquisite, thank you, Jeremy.



CREDITS:
Images of books by and about Deborah Devonshire by Diane Dorrans Saeks, March 26, 2017.



8 comments:

carrps said...

My memory may be a little fuzzy, but I seem to remember a television program being made of the "Rebels and Hons" book several decades ago. The Mitfords were a fascinating family, indeed.

The Swan said...

Much anticipation builds in the fashion world over this one of a kind ever historical exhibit, but its true centerpiece is the architecture, Chatsworth. I had the pleasure to visit this fabulous and dramatic estate not so long go, but Houghton Hall illuminated by the great James Turrell.
I spoke with Heywood Hill...and they at planning a book signing with Lady Burlington and possibly Hamish as well...so in went my order.
Love your story's of Luxe and Beauty...as always, a fan!

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

Hello, Paula-


thank you...yes agreed.

Hons and Rebels first came out in the sixties perhaps...it was one of the first of so many Mitford books...
and all of them fascinating...even the 'Cookery Book' that Debo and I spoke of.
HOUSE STYLE...oh, goodness...to have a signed copy would be so inspiring. ... and of course Heywood Hill is the place for all the Devonshire books.
I also have arranged to have books signed at HATCHARD'S in London as well...it is where all the best books are signed...and they keep a shelf of signed books, usually.
HEYWOOD HILL...is full of history and has no pretension or signs of 'nobility' floating around.
let me know when you acquire the signed books...how eXciting--DIANE

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

THE SWAN-


Yes...agreed...Houghton is wonderfully exciting. It is, in a sense, Chatsworth in a jewel box...smaller and more private...
I wonder...I think...that Chatsworth would have inspired Houghton Hall...you are clever to see that...yes, even down to the contemporary art now in the house and garden...and the new works being commissioned.
I hope you get the HEYWOOD HILL signed copies...such fun and so lovely to have in years forward...
Now...when I was photographing the DEBO books for this blog post...I realize that these would have been some of the last books signed by PATRICK LEIGH FERMOR...and by Debo herself...
of course Charlotte Moseley is going strong and worked on the new book.
Clever you...you will get your HEYWOOD HILL books...let me know...DIANE

La Contessa said...

GORGEOUS.......I will be in LONDON in MAY will look for the BOOK SHOP!

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

Hi Elizabeth-


Thank you for your message.

Yes...HEYWOOD HILL is very low-key...naturally, as it is owned by the Devonshires (and the Duke often buys books here)...YOU MUST GO...
It's like a large library, really...you can browse around and they are very nice and very helpful.
You might as well go to HATCHARD'S which is not very far away in PICCADILLY...it is another of my favorites...also library-isn, though the front room of the store is usually bustling. They have a lot of signed books as well...and you will see 'best-seller' lists and books there (which the Heywood Hill staff are not at all into...ask them about other books about and by the Devonshires...most fascinating.
happy travels--DIANE

lindaraxa said...

Although I have never shopped at Heywood Hill, I used to be a fan of Hatchard's and always stopped by after a meeting at my firm's headquarters on Jermyn St. What I loved was their recommendations. There was always a sales person around who in less than a five-minute chat would know exactly what you would like. I wish their website was better and more up to date with their recommendations as I like to see what the other side of the pond is reading.

Hatchard's also has a subscription service and they will send you books according to your interests.

Can't wait for this book, signed or unsigned!

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

HI JULIETA-

I hope all is well.

Yes...you are absolutely right about Heywood Hill. And yes, they have their 'a year in books' program which is fantastic...and there are other 'subscriptions' which can follow each reader's interests, for example biographies or gardens or architecture. The shop is very 'library' focused...and 'collections' as well..

I also like JOHN SANDOE BOOKS in Chelsea and always go and spend time there...the shop is stacked with books...and alway has special references and lots of travel books, travel memoirs and biographies.

London: several of my friends are IN LONDON now and it is wonderfully springy. Daffodils are everywhere and spring is arriving and everything is green. Very celebratory. I am here on deadline, my focus.

I take to heart your comment about travel and I have traveled all my life with curiosity and fearlessness and for research and study and I am lucky to do it...and to your point I have always worked to maintain stamina and energy and ease of travel...I consider lifting weights at the gym a workout for lifting a bag into the overhead (though there are nice tall gentlemen who offer...).
And travel does require endurance as well...25 hours door to door to Delhi...and arriving ready to dash about. And I don't take any of it for granted...and am very very grateful to travel and see the world.
And exercise with focus when I am in San Francisco.It is a must.

send you much love and best--DIANE