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

4.2 out of 5 stars 378 ratings

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Fashion and creative director Sunita Kumar Nair presents Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion, which pays homage to the style icon’s timeless, distinguished beauty and legacy in the first book of its kind.

Foreword by Gabriela Hearst, award-winning designer to First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris * Preface by Edward Enninful, OBE, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue

Featuring spectacular photography and design,
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion gathers the greats in the fashion world to speak of her timeless style and presents never-before-published personal anecdotes from friends and family.

Long blonde hair, an iconic red lip, and effortless style—all signatures of fashion icon Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Carolyn used fashion as her medium. She hadn’t found her voice yet in front of the camera as Mrs. Kennedy, so she let her fashion speak to the world for her.

With her attention to detail, strict color palette, and unique, unidentifiable looks with the brand labels deliberately removed, she was the essence of class—no label would ever define her. She didn’t choose to abide by the typical patrician standard expected from a woman of her position who had married into a family dynasty; instead, she did the unexpected and wore her revolutionary clothes with aplomb, confidence, and grace.

This book is the ultimate commemoration of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s style, fashion code, and the impact she left behind nearly two decades later. It includes memories and tributes from fashion luminaries including Graydon Carter, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Manolo Blahnik, Wes Gordon, Tory Burch, and Samira Nasr.

This lushly produced high-design volume is packed with beautiful photography.

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From the Publisher

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion

Quote from Tory Burch

Photo from Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

Quote from Michael Kors

Photo from Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

Quote from Edward Enniful, Obe

Photo from Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

A seen in Vanity Fair, Vogue, The Cut, Harper's Bazaar, WWD, CFDA, and more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sunita Kumar Nair is a fashion and creative director who has worked in the industry for almost 14 years with leading publications such as Dazed*, Sunday Times Style under Isabella Blow, W magazine in New York, and Vanity Fair. Working in the highest echelons of her industry, her clients have included Christian Louboutin, Estée Lauder, and Louis Vuitton. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion is a testament to her taste and vision and that of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams; 1st edition (November 7, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1419767194
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1419767197
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 0.353 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.9 x 1.05 x 11.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 378 ratings

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Sunita Kumar Nair
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Sunita Kumar Nair is a fashion creative director and writer, who has contributed to leading publications such as Sunday Times Style, WWD and W magazine in New York. Working alongside the fashion photography and editorial elite for nearly two decades, she brings her curatorial approach and refined eye to every creative project from fashion to art and design. Her debut book, CBK Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion is a testament to her discerning taste and vision.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
378 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers appreciate the book's style, with one noting it offers a comprehensive review of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's personal fashion, and they value its valuable insights into her life. The photos receive mixed feedback - while many find them beautiful, others report poor image quality. The content receives negative reviews, with several customers describing it as not great, and one customer mentions it has a cheap appearance.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

33 customers mention "Book style"30 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's style, noting its beautiful pictures and wonderful time for fashion, with one customer highlighting its comprehensive review of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's personal fashion.

"...I’d already known from my own research, but this book added depth beyond the style and aesthetic choices Carolyn made...." Read more

"...It also covers her go to colors and styles, with personal interviews from people who knew her and her style throughout the years...." Read more

"...Still, the book is commendable. Well done Ms. Nair." Read more

"...The clean, understated style of Carolyn Bessette is beautifully captured in photographs sprinkled with anecdotes from other fashion icons, designers..." Read more

21 customers mention "Insight"17 positive4 negative

Customers find the book provides valuable insights into Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's life, with one customer particularly appreciating the author's thoughtful exploration of the CBK myth.

"...It was great to hear information from some of her closest friends and colleagues, and also from Yohji Yamamoto and Anne Demeulemeester— two..." Read more

"...Saw an interview with the author and found her informed and entertaining-just like her book on CBK...." Read more

"...Thank you to Sunita for putting together a thoughtful tribute to CBK. Great gift to share with mom!" Read more

"...I found the stories of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy fascinating. The coffee table size book had fabulous pictures...." Read more

5 customers mention "Gift value"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes a great gift.

"...Great gift to share with mom!" Read more

"...A great gift item for the holidays or for yourself to add to your coffee table book collection!" Read more

"I am so happy with this book and decided it would be the perfect gift idea for Christmas! It is very chic and resourceful...." Read more

"An Appreciated Gift..." Read more

28 customers mention "Photo quality"15 positive13 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the photos in the book, with some finding them beautiful while others report poor image quality.

"...piece of her through these excerpts, and of course the photos and stories are fun...." Read more

"...The photos are so regenerated it feels like they were pulled from a literal news paper...." Read more

"...Saw an interview with the author and found her informed and entertaining-just like her book on CBK...." Read more

"...very large book is filled with fluff, filler pages, many photos with no captions or relevance and unrelated general information about fashion from..." Read more

6 customers mention "Content"0 positive6 negative

Customers express dissatisfaction with the book's content, describing it as underwhelming and not great.

"...To me, it is basically a photo book of well known pictures of CBK. Not a great book, but a necessary piece for the collector." Read more

"I was so looking forward for this book only to find it totally underwhelming. CBK style and story deserved so much better research and presentation...." Read more

"A very large book with very little interesting content. I was hoping to see new photos and instead just scant photos of what's been in the tabloids...." Read more

"...Photo quality is substandard and not even worthy of a coffee table book. Could have been better. Dissatisfied." Read more

4 customers mention "Look"0 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's appearance, with some finding it unflattering.

"...The letters bleed into the cover giving it a cheap look and are patchy. The front photo is a sticker that you can peel off. Will be returning." Read more

"...The pictures were not new and unrelated to fashion...." Read more

"...The author’s name is front and center and even ruins the look of the cover. What a disappointment!" Read more

"Purchased a new book and it was definitely a previously owned book. Worn looking and binding was broken and torn. 😞..." Read more

Perfect Coffee Table Book
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect Coffee Table Book
This book is a great addition to any collection. Her style is absolutely timeless and this book encapsulates her perfectly. The look and size of the book itself will go with any decor.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 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!
    33 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
    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.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2024
    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.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2025
    The book arrived quickly and was well wrapped to ensure the integrity of the book and its cover. It was a gift requested and happily received by the recipient!
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2024
    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!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2023
    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)
    Customer image
    1.0 out of 5 stars
    NOTHING NEW. TERRIBLE ART DIRECTION AND NOTHING BURGER STORIES

    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2023
    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)
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
    171 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2025
    Love paging through this book of memories

Top reviews from other countries

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  • X. Lee
    1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new
    Reviewed in Singapore on February 1, 2025
    Low quality photos that you could easily find on Pinterest. Accompanying text is prosaic and a lot of conjecture.
  • Mafer López
    4.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL BOOK
    Reviewed in Mexico on November 22, 2024
    Gorgeous gigantic book, my only complaint is some images (I'm guessing due to them being taken with old cameras during the 90s) are low quality/pixelated, which I wasn't expecting, but still beautiful and really cool content inside.
  • perthuis catherine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Livre neuf impeccable
    Reviewed in France on December 22, 2023
    Parfait
    Report
  • Helena Linder Roslund
    5.0 out of 5 stars En stilikon
    Reviewed in Sweden on March 18, 2024
    En vacker och inspirerande bok. Några kommentarer var kritiska här så jag tvekade med tanke på priset, men såg ett klipp på Youtube när någon bläddrade i boken och slog till. Jag ångrar mig verkligen inte. Kritiken handlade bl a om att fler bilder på CBK:s kläder kunde varit med och det kunde det absolut ha varit. Men det är trots det en rikt illustrerad och fantastisk bok.
  • Laura Cooper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2025
    This is a lovely book and will be treasured by any CBK fan