Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty: A Fashion Fairy Tale Memoir

by Camilla Morton, Christian Lacroix (Illustrator)

Can dormant beauty really be awakened by a Princely touch?

The classic story of Sleeping Beauty has had us believing so for years. Now, spun as if by magic from the threads of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tale comes the enchanting memoir of fashion designer Christian Lacroix—the haute couture icon whose creations have invited millions of women to enjoy  the fairy princess fashions of their dreams. Sorcery and style combine in this enchanting new twist on a time-honored tale; re-imagined by international bestselling author Camilla Morton, and illustrated by Monsieur Lacroix himself, the spell cast by Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty will reawaken every reader’s childhood fantasies—reassuring you that dreams really do come true…

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Art, Memoir, Picture Books

105 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Camilla Morton is a London-based fashion writer and the author of the international bestseller How to Walk in High Heels which has been translated into over twenty languages worldwide and A Girl for All Seasons / A Year in High Heels. She is also the creator and writer of the 'Fashion Tale Memoir'series: Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty, Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker, and Diane von Furstenberg and the Empresses New Clothes.

Camilla began her writing career with a column at The Times Newspaper UK 'My Favourite Thing', and then went on to be the runway reporter for British Vogue.com, covering the international and couture collections. She has written for several magazines, newspapers, and blogs, including The Wall Street Journal "Off Duty", Time magazine's Style and Design supplement, W magazine, Net-A-Porter.com, Modelinia.com, SHOWstudio.com, Fashionista.com and Harper's Bazaar in UK and US.

She currently collaborates with several international, high-end fashion houses and can be often caught reading fairy tales while wearing high heels.

Reviews

[Katie]

This is a cute variation on the Sleeping Beauty legend, with numerous allusions to the fashion world. The Prince of this story is, of course, designer Christian Lacroix. The "A-list fairies" are invited to Beauty's Christening, but the Fairy of Seasons Past is angered that she is not offered a front row seat. Like the traditional fairy tale, the evil fairy curses Beauty to die from pricking her finger on a spinning needle on her sixteenth birthday. Beauty's parents ban all needles in the town, leading to boring, shapeless clothing throughout the land. The book takes real biographical elements of Christian Lacroix's life. His Golden Thimble award is used to save Sleeping Beauty, and the land is filled with beautiful, ornate clothing once more. The illustrations done by Lacroix are the highlight of this creative and beautiful book.

[Madelena Montiel]

A collaboration between a mismatched pair: I couldn't read it. I enjoy fashion but didn't find the story interesting at all and dropped out in the middle of the book. (And I read a lot.) What I did enjoy was Christian Lacroix's amazing work. I'll use this book for visual inspiration because it is!

[Jaimie]

I’ve read numerous versions of the tale of Sleeping Beauty, but none are quite as fabulous as this edition. Camilla Morton weaves a tale just a step off the familiar path of this legend, with a princess who is doomed to sleep at the prick of a spindle but who is eventually rescued by the fabulous fashions of a couturier rather than the expected prince. Christian Lacroix is, of course, this heroic couturier, who the princess watches through a magical snow globe as he designs fabulous clothes in a land without the restrictions of her needle-less own, and he in turn has been dreaming of Beauty as his perfect muse his whole life. Morton artfully plays with the imagery of needles, spindles, and the lack of fashions that result in a land where all sharp objects are banished to give this legendary tale a fresh twist of inspiration. Alongside her fun narrative, the pages of the book are filled with whimsical illustrations created by Lacroix himself that almost overwhelm the narrative. Each page is lined border to border with collages, clashing colours, and characters of a curious nature that make reading the book a total feast for the eyes. While Lacroix may have strayed from simply illustrating the narrative elements of the story, we must forgive his wild abandon and focus instead on getting caught up in the vibes - it is, after all, far more fun to let the eye wander and discover the unexpected delights which Christian Lacroix and his couture work are so well known for.

[Rachel]

I don't know anything about the fashion industry so I didn't know Christian Lacroix is a real person until I read his timeline at the end of the book. This book was clearly written by a fan of his. Sleeping Beauty is shut up in a castle for her protection until she turns 16, but she has a magical globe that lets her see the outside world and she watches Christian as he grows from childhood where he just like to draw pictures of fashions, to becoming a major fashion designer. Oddly enough he designs always seem to be made just for her. Christian gets married to someone else, so the romantic aspect isn't there when he wakes Sleeping Beauty from her sleep. It was okay. I didn't care for the illustrations though; most of them were splashes of color with black outlines of the people.

[Giovanna]

É um livro rápido mas com ilustrações muito bonitas. Uma versão criativa da história clássica.

[marquesrebek]

2.5 ⭐

[Marialyce]

A very "pretty" book. Interesting concept of having a world class designer be the illustrator for this often told tale. Through the blending of Mr Lacroix"s fashion history with the tale of Sleeping Beuty, we see lots of illustrations that show the quirky designs of this fashion icon.

With a bit of self praise (well maybe more than a bit), the book's lovely pages feature the couture styles that Mr Lacroix is known for. Is this a book of self love? Perhaps! It is certainly a novel way to let the world see your style and accomplishments.

I am not quite sure what or if many people would invest in this type book. Maybe those who like a coffee table type book, might find this book fits their needs. I myself, would certainly not have purchased it. I must confess that I won it and quite frankly do not know what to do with it.

[Redfox5]

This is a stunning book. Even if you never bothered to read the contents, you could spend quite abit of time admiring the cover and dust jacket. It's a beauty and it's not just beautiful on the outside. Take a peek inside and it's filled with colourful illustrations by Christian Lacroix, some are a little strange but others are gorgeous.

This is a memoir told in the form of an illustrated fairytale, which is very apt for a fashion designer. I had never heard of Lacroix before picking up this book, since fashion does not interest me much but I loved this book. You do not have to be a fashionista to get something out of this charming book. Well worth a look.

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind)]

This was a very interesting retelling of Sleeping Beauty.It is the life story of christian Lacroix's early upbringing and fashion influences, it's also the tale of Beauty, a young woman who is trapped by the endless protocol and restrictions of royalty.

Beauty's only relief from tedium is loking through a snowglobe that shows her other worlds.Her favorite world is the one inhabited by young Christian. Beauty watches him grow in talent and fame until a curse from her past catches up with her. Now the bow she has watched grow up may be the only one to rescue her. The drawings in this were very unique and the story had a nice ending.

[Nicole]

Lucky find on a Dymock's sale table....A visual feast for the eyes! Not really high quality literature but quite a novel way to present a bio of an amazingly talented designer. Told by Camilla Morton as a fairy tale memoir based on the Tale of Sleeping Beauty. Really enjoyed poring over the extraordinary illustrations by Christian Lacroix himself. The timeline of his achievements thus far (in an appendix) also shows what an amazing talent Lacroix is.

[Kerfe]

Christian Lacroix illustrated this fluffy adaptation of the fairy tale that incorporates biographical fashion elements into Sleeping Beauty's story. A combination of drawing, painting, and photo collage, his part of the creation here is, as always, worth a look.

[Beth Schneider McEwen]

This is an extremely short story and I truly don't understand why it was published. It was added to our Kindle account by my sister, who admittedly is much more into fashion than I. I suppose I can't complain too much about it as it only took about 20 minutes to read.

[Amanda]

What a great retelling of a classic fairytale. The illustrations are beautiful. You don't necessarily have to be into fashion to enjoy this book. If you have a spare hour you should definately read this book. Looking forward to others in the series.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides]

I don't think I actually want to read this, at least not anytime soon, but it's interesting to know that it exists.

[Stacy Schuttler]

Interesting combination of a fairy tale and the memoirs of Christian Lacroix. It was done in such a way that anyone could read the story...kids, teens or adults. It was short and sweet.

[Erin]

Sometimes a girl just needs to read a silly fairytale...Gorgeous illustrations by Christian Lacroix.

[Kristin Laura]

Fun, light reading. Awesome illustrations and art work.

[Tiana ♥ peonybelle]

A very sweet and seamless blend of fashion and fairy tales (two of my greatest loves).

[Pinky]

What a magical little book. The story of Sleeping Beauty retold with designer Christian Lacroix thrown into the mix. Illustrated by c.l. - amazing. Love the sequin fairy.

[Laureen]

this was a perfect mash-up of Christian Lacroix and Sleeping Beauty! Can't wait to read the others!

[Anne]

This is such a cute story, and I linked it alot! But not quite A's much as the one about Manolo Blahnik ;)

[Carol Hungria]

Gosta de contos de fada? Curte ilustrações? E moda? Esse livro reúne tudo isso. Must read!

[Eilonwy]

A different sort of fairy tale richly illustrated by renowned French fashion designer Christian Lacroix. Explores the dearth of fashion when all needles are outlawed to keep Beauty alive.

[Jennifer]

An endearing memoir inspired by Sleeping Beauty set in the world of fashion.

[Christine]

The illustrations are the draw here.