sheilaraeo

This book which follows the creation of a "bespoke" coat from learning about the rare vicunas animal (distant relative of the camel), almost extinct, which provides the most expensive wool in the world, to the world of specialty buttons and the beautiful silk used in the lining- no detail was missed. A captivating story of the many craftsmen and their skills - quickly dying out - that produced this most treasured of coats. At first I felt like Meg Lukens Noonan was doing for the tailor, and perhaps even the fashion industry, what Michael Pollan did for the farmers with his book The Omnivore's Dilemma. I was not so sure that was an accurate assessment though, when I read the rather jarring opinion of the author at the end of the chapter "The Tailor", when she responds (rather callously in my opinion) to the tailor who has just expressed his sorrow at the dying out of his craft with the words "But things change...I think it's time. The word changes and you have to change with it." .... What?! I was flabbergasted at her flippancy after this incredible journey she has just taken her readers on. My reaction to all I had been learning was more along the lines of: We must save this dying craft! Sigh...