CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion Hardcover – November 7, 2023

Born in the 90s, I hadn’t known much about Carolyn Bessette until only recently with the pandemic. Minimalism was all the rage, and I’d found myself recalling into some of my earliest memories of fashion… which were the pared down simplicity of Calvin Klein and Prada in the 90s and early 2000s. Never would I have thought that I’d remember recalling seeing the photo of her on a now defunct CBK fashion blog. It was the famous photo of Carolyn Bessette standing hand in hand with her husband on the sidewalk at 20 North Moore. The pair had just gotten married and it was their first public appearance together as newlyweds. Prada bag on her shoulder, blond hair pulled back. Black sweater and beige skirt perfectly tailored to her willowy form.Her beauty, patrician yet ethereal was what stuck out to me, but I’d noted that there was something more. She seemed to possess a glamour, a fire and warmth that shined brightly. Let’s just say that I was intrigued and I went down the rabbit hole of this woman’s short but vibrant life. She was a beautiful representation of less is more, but also staying true to oneself both internally and externally.Admittedly, most of the information in the book I’d already known from my own research, but this book added depth beyond the style and aesthetic choices Carolyn made. It was great to hear information from some of her closest friends and colleagues, and also from Yohji Yamamoto and Anne Demeulemeester— two designers who Carolyn loved.All in all, this book definitely is a rare treat to indulge in. A must buy for anyone looking for style inspiration, or to anyone who is beginning their minimalist fashion journey, and also for anyone who wants to know more about this woman who dazzled in just a few short years, but who reigns supreme in the minds of those who loved and knew her.10/10! I’d definitely recommend!

👍🏽

Almost didn’t get this book because of the negative reviews but I’m very pleased with this purchase. Saw an interview with the author and found her informed and entertaining-just like her book on CBK. This is the first book to focus on CBK’s contribution to fashion rather than sordid gossip about her personal life. The author interviewed important fashion personalities about CBK’s style and I found their insights enlightening. Best of all is the interview of Yohji Yamamoto and a salesperson at Yohji’s NYC store that worked with CBK. I Only gave four stars because there are other great pictures of CBK that were not included-especially from the Rubin/Amanpour wedding where she looked especially fabulous and the White House correspondents dinner. Still, the book is commendable. Well done Ms. Nair.

I loved this book from start to finish. Rather than a simple expose on CBK alone, this book features interviews from major designers that she put on the map, and how they feel about her influence on their clothes. It also covers her go to colors and styles, with personal interviews from people who knew her and her style throughout the years. I feel like I know a little piece of her through these excerpts, and of course the photos and stories are fun. This is more than a coffee table book, and if you have a genuine interest in fashion, you will love this.

I can't remember the last time I bought a "coffee table" book, but I saw this and had to have it. The clean, understated style of Carolyn Bessette is beautifully captured in photographs sprinkled with anecdotes from other fashion icons, designers, and friends. The book gives a portrait of her life with John Kennedy Jr. and the obvious timeless parallel style of her mother-in-law, Jackie. Carolyn wasn't with us very long, but the impact of her style will live on forever. I LOVE this book!

This book is so badly done I am sad I spent $50.00 on it and would still be mad even if I spent $5.00.For those who have "known" about CBK for nearly 30 years this book is a huge insult to her memory. The photos are so regenerated it feels like they were pulled from a literal news paper. The stories DO NOT reflect any personal relationships on a level that warrant a book. As someone noted in another review the author put her name at the top in the middle of CBK which totally ruins the impact of her initials. Note about the pictures I posted - one her MOST known shots is her debut to the press and WHAT DID THEY DO TO HER FACE????????? Then for the white shirt section - who are these two boys that get two full bleed pages while CBK has small pap shots on mostly white pages. THEN her face is in the literal GUTTER OF THE BOOK. I am so disappointed in "book". I personally could have done 1000 times better. Save your money and wait for the "used" books to start piling in. ugh.....ZERO stars. (Let's see if this review makes it since my previous review is no where to be found)