Roger Vivier: Heritage and Imagination is a new book that marks a defining new chapter for the storied Parisian maison, offering a richly layered cultural portrait of one of the twentieth century’s most visionary designers.
Published by Rizzoli and unveiled in Paris this January, the book moves beyond the conventions of the traditional retrospective, positioning heritage as a living, evolving force shaped by imagination, dialogue and contemporary interpretation.
The release follows the inauguration of Maison Vivier in Paris and the opening of its archives, a moment that signals a shift in how the house chooses to share its history. Rather than preserving memory behind closed doors, Roger Vivier opens its creative legacy to a wider cultural audience, transforming archival material into a shared resource for curators, writers, designers, students and readers interested in fashion as a form of cultural language.
While Roger Vivier’s work has been the subject of significant publications over the decades, Heritage and Imagination looks decisively forward. Curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, the book is structured around five thematic “Salons” inspired by eighteenth century intellectual gatherings. These include Le Salon de l’Héritage, Le Salon des Formes, Le Salon de l’Ornement, Le Salon de la Célébrité and Le Salon de l’Imaginaire. Together, they form spaces of conversation rather than chronology, allowing ideas, images and voices to intersect freely across time and disciplines.
Drawing on newly disclosed archival material, such as original sketches, prototypes, photographs, and documents, the book reveals Monsieur Vivier as both a craftsman and a thinker. His radical approach to form, ornament and proportion is placed in dialogue with contemporary cultural voices, demonstrating the enduring relevance of his ideas in today’s luxury landscape.
Contributors include Global Brand Ambassador Ines de la Fressange, along with a remarkable group of actresses and cultural figures such as Catherine Deneuve, Isabella Rossellini, Michelle Yeoh, Eva Green, Laura Dern, Cher, and Christina Ricci. Writers and commentators, including Suzy Menkes and Carol Woolton, add further depth, each offering a distinct lens on Vivier’s influence.
