TEE FASHIONABLE SAVAGES

In 1955, John Fairchild Journeyed to Paris to head the European offices of Fairchild Publications, among which is Women's Wear Daily. He sojourned there for five years, then returned to run WWD here. He is a seasoned hunter at home in the fashion forest, whether Exotic (Paris) or Primeval (Seventh Avenue), and the trophies of his stalks are spread before the reader with eclat and savvy. He can recall a command performance luncheon with Chanel, work up a collection with Balenciaga or Norell; he can designate the BDLs (Best Dressed List), isolate the Goddesses (Mrs. William S. Paley and Mrs. Loel Guinness) from the Impeccables (the Duchess of Windsor, Mrs. Gilbert Miller, etc.). (Then there is Her Elegance, Mrs. JFK.) He can mark a style, describing it to a T; his opinion of it is affected by his appreciation of womanly beauty (it's nice to have a man commenting on fashion for a change). He takes note of the fashion press and the press of fashion, with an eye to influentials and the INs. This is the haut monde of fashion, without the more down-to-earth aspects of Phyllis Lee Levin's Wheels of Fashion and with a certain gossip value about creators and fashionables regnant. IN-formative.