First published in 1954 by the great designer himself, this book has been re-released by the Victoria & Albert Museum to accompany The Golden Age of Couture exhibition (ends 6 January 2008). Bursting with nuggets of advice on tmatters as tricky as the fit of a dress ("Be careful of the grain of the material...If the material is used the right way only the minimum of darts and tucks are needed") and hilariously antiquated maxims ("Every woman should have something pink in her wardrobe. It is the colour of happiness and femininity.") this slender volume makes a good stocking-filler, and could be the perfect way to while away those langurous hours between Christmas lunch and Christmas dinner. Published by the V&A. Available on Amazon.