C.Z. Guest

Book excerpt: A treasure trove of extraordinary images celebrating the elegance and flair of style icon C.Z. Guest--a true tastemaker known for her classic, understated American look who continues to influence fashion today. Celebrated for her beauty and personal style, C.Z. Guest transcended eras to become an enduring figure of good taste, appearing on the cover of Time magazine in 1962. A grande dame of high society, she lived the good life and was photographed by such legends as Irving Penn, Cecil Beaton, John Rawlings, and Slim Aarons. Despite her patrician upbringing, C.Z. was surprisingly modern, exerting influence over America's cultural landscape for fifty years, whether attending her close friend Truman Capote's Black and White Ball, dancing at Studio 54, or partying at Andy Warhol's Factory. Exploring her continuing influence in the spheres of society, fashion, and interiors, C.Z. Guest is full of stunning images, from her days as a young bride, photographed by Henri Cartier-Bresson, to her family life on her Long Island estate, Templeton, to her accomplishments as a gardener and her impeccable gardens, to her prominence in society, keeping company with everyone from Diego Rivera, Cecil Beaton, and Diana Vreeland to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. With insightful contributions by today's top tastemakers, this is the first book on C.Z. Guest and a must for devotees of fashion and style.