Elegance. About the art of living that enriches us

Barbara Finken's book "Elegance" is a reflection on the elusive essence of sophistication that permeates the very fabric of existence. The author, like an experienced flâneur, leads us through the labyrinths of history and culture, revealing the many facets of elegance: from the manners that create a person, to the art of pleasing and the ability to live carefree. Before us appears a gallery of images - from the arbiter of sophistication Petronius to the avant-garde fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto. Finken's sketches are not only an excursion into the history of fashion and etiquette, but also a deep philosophical study of what makes a person truly attractive, cheerful and able to find happiness despite life's adversities. Finken convincingly proves that elegance is not at all about ostentatious luxury, but about inner harmony, "elegance of the heart", which allows us to remain friendly and open in a world where pragmatism reigns.