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Customer Reviews (20)

Nineteenth Century Fashion in Detail- Lucy Johnston
This book is everything I thought it would be and more.I make Victorian Garments and I loved the detail and colours of the costumes in the book.A truly beautiful book that has inspired me to create even more costumes.

Nineteenth-Century Fashion in Detail
Be very careful with this book.I was enchanted with the cover and thought it was a new book by Lucy Johnson....only to discover that I already had purchased the same book four years ago with a different cover.Lucky for me I browsed the other two options showing the different cover before purchasing this one, or I would have had to go through the trouble of returning it.It is an absolutely marvellous book with lots of photos of stunning creations.Very drool-worthy and inspiring.If you love fashion and don't have the different covered book, by all means, buy it!

The next best thing to having it right in front of you!
I recently visited the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and bought this book in the bookshop.The pictures are gorgeous and show the details of workmanship which are the aim of the dedicated costumer.Having browsed the images in the V&A website countless times, I only wish the Museum would have all the garments on display all the time, and that every one could be described in the way they are in this book!That being impossible, the book is organized in a way that presents a practical outline of influences on style and the construction of garments.With Janet Arnold and this series, I consider myself well-armed for my work.

It's all in the details
This is a very unique fashion book because it doesn't justshow pictures of the fashions (which would be fine anyway) It takes it a step further by showing the individual details of the clothing worn in that period. Very interesting I always find this kind of research help from books i buy from Amazon.com.

Great product and better than described, quick ship
I really like this book as I did the other book in the Fashion in Detail series.These books are not designed as tutorial, but more inspirational.They are total eye candy.If you deal with authentic, reproduction period costumes, can't do without them for their closeups on details and line drawings of designs.Fabrics can be seen closeup as well as stitches and, as I said before, the tiny details.
I highly recommend this book if you have patterns, because it great for research and inspiration.
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Customer Reviews (1)

The 18th Century (History of Costume & Fashion)
I was expecting a fashion review of 18th century costuming, its construction and the various styles of the period but the book was more of a general history of specific locations/groups of people with often, just a a single illustration of people in the costumes of that period. Some of the illustrations were reproductions of paintings with the subjects wearing the dress of the period.
This is a book that is nicely illustrated but more suitable as a school book for 8th or 9th grade History students. The written "history" is limited in scope and applies, generally, to groups of people (Amish, Indians, etc.) wearing the clothing of the 18th century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Disappointing
This book is similar in content to the book on Eighteenth Century costuming. The book contains nicely done -but few in number- illustrations of different groups of people (Amish, early settlers, Indians, etc) during the period, dressed in the costume of the time. Details of the costume are not emphasized.
This book,like the Eighteenth Century book on costuming, would be more suitable as a Jr. High School history book that offers a short and very limited review of general costuming during a particular time in history. ... Read more

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Product Description
Scrupulously researched book by noted authority traces the development of European clothing styles from prehistory to the Norman Conquest in a.d. 1066. Over 160 illustrations, including 17 full-color plates, display draped robes of classical Greece, the jewel-encrusted apparel of a 10th-century Byzantine emperor, garments of peasants, as well as footwear, hairstyles, headdresses, and jewelry. Accompanying text chronologically traces origin and development of a garment and its relation to forerunners and successors. Immensely valuable reference for students, historians, artists and anyone intersted in costume history.
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Customer Reviews (4)

A worthwhile addition to other texts
Now dated, this 1926 publication is still worth using in conjunction with other texts. Granted some of this work has since been shown to be inaccurate by more recent scholarship. Furthermore his attitudes and observations are not only dated and politically incorrect, in the context of the 21st Century could also be considered racist. That said, Norris' body of work deserves our respect as being equaled by few of his generation (and surpassed by none). He has also proved to be a stepping-stone for future costumes historians - just check out the bibliographies of some important costume history texts and see how many reference Norris.

Many of Norris' statements are a little questionable. The stone-age chapter is almost charming in its dated naiveté, and is by no means a reliable reference. The Greek chapter is also filled with questionable statements, and in other places one gets the impression that Norris is putting forth conjecture as truth. However, many of his observations are of great use. For instance, the account of the evolution of the pallium - its journey from the voluminous philosophers cloak in Greece, through Roman and Byzantine usage, to a finally a narrow band of fabric used as a Christian vestment even today - is clearer than in any other publication I have ever seen.

As with all his books, all the illustrations are redrawn by Norris himself and no primary source material is illustrated. This is typical of most costume texts published prior to the 1960s and is not a further reflection on Norris' scholarship.

Good reference for Dark Ages costumes
Too many costume books seem to skip from Byzantium straight to the Renaissance.This book is a reasonably good source for the Dark Ages -- not just Celts and Normans, either; it has info on Goths, Saxons (continental and British), Vandals, and a whole bunch of tribes that usually get either forgotten or lumped together as "barbarians."Another reviewer has noted that it's somewhat outdated, but it's a good idea book for an experienced costumer, especially for accessories (boots, jewelry & the like.)

Outmoded and Often Inaccurate
Of all the Herbert Norris books I have read, this one suffers the most from his preconceptions and inaccuracies.It is also the one that has suffered most from the passage of time, as subsequent archaeologicalresearch has revealed errors in what was considered, in Norris's day, to be "factual" information about costume.The best thing about his book, in my opinion, is the meticulous line drawings of brooches and other items of period jewelry, but again, more recently published works contain excellent, full-color photographs of the same or similar specimens.Readthis book if you enjoy Norris's style, but do not accept anything in itblindly as much of it is plain wrong.

Great reference on an obscure subject
There are hundreds of books on Costume history, ranging from the Egyptians through to this century.Almost all of them ignore the period known of as the Dark Ages.Not only does this book go into detail on the costumes worn by the Celts, the Gauls, and the Goths, it also tells some of theirhistory.The book is mostly text supported by mainly black and whiteillustrations.I personally found it very informative. ... Read more

Product Description
Drawing Fashion: The Art of Kenneth Paul Block is the first monograph on the work of Kenneth Paul Block, one of the most influential fashion illustrators of the twentieth century. The oversize, lavishly illustrated book chronicles Block's lifetime of drawings, watercolors, and astute observations during the artist's over 30-year career at Women's Wear Daily, powerful fashion publication. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Quintessential Fashion
Kenneth PB was the model of an artist who mastered fashion illustration by his talents. He was a stylist as well as a drawer - the combination led to rich, expressive, inspirational works of art. This book tells his story well and shows his genius with beautiful reproductions.

Art indeed!
Beautiful book: a testament to KPB's work and position in the history of fashion illustration.He will be greatly missed, but at least we have this legacy, a record of his achievements.While some of my favorite examples of his work didn't make it into this book, many I never saw did, so it is still a pleasure to visit again and again.

Truly inspiring!
Recommended by one of my teachers at Parsons, this book lived up to its expectations.It is a privilege to be able to see the art of the true artist, Kenneth Paul Block, all condensed into this lovely book.Sadly, the art of illustration is no longer as honoured as before.Even the movement expressed by the figure on the cover of the book is truly inspiring!

Best ever
The best book of fashion illustration I'd seen. Kenneth Paul Block is a real artist, great drawer, sensible and extremely chic. This book help me in my classes and teachs a lot of style.

Drawing Fashion: The Art of Kenneth Block
Terrific Book, fascinating on the life and times of the 30's 40' and 50's in the fashion world. Great reproductions and interesting text. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

Disappointing, if historically accurate
I wish I'd taken a closer look at this book before buying it at a local bookstore.It is fascinating, reading the history and seeing the photos from that era--one of my favorites, style-wise--but, as has been pointed out by other reviewers, the patterns are given in only one size.Personally, I also found the adaptations for "our time" removed much of the style and flair from the originals, adding bagginess and lack of definition where the original styles fit closely and had cleaner, more interesting lines.

The author mentions at one point that people were slimmer in the 1940's than they are now--I believe she uses the word "smaller"--and that may be the rationale behind offering only one size per pattern, that size being large-ish (often 36 - 40 inches around the bust).Had I looked closely at the patterns when I chose this off the rack, I would not have paid for the book.As a somewhat accomplished knitter with poor math skills, I might be able to adapt these if the detailed stiches were less complex.Instead, I will probably not attempt to knit even the patterns I very much like, because the down-sizing and the changes needed to reacquire the style of the originals will add much likelihood that the eventual garment won't look as I imagine it should.

Fascinating historical perspective, neat patterns
I enjoyed reading the historical background on knitting during the war years, and the patterns are fascinating. Most could easily be modified for today, or are so classic that they would fit in any time period.

interesting sweaters from the second world war time
I showed this book to a prof of European history and he was really thrilled with the information and pictures and said it was just like he recalled from his childhood in Poland. The book is arranged chronologically from the homefrontand the troops to the fifties. Other chapters are glamour, intricate stitches, fair isles and children. The patterns come from old leaflets and magazines in England of that time but have been updated. There are some very interesting sweaters included although only one size so the knitter may have to re-work it for herself. Sweaters then were closely fitted so as not to waste yarn and look quite different from the bulky overlarge sweaters we've gotten used to making. A lot of attention was given to the details. The clover leaf design is my favorite but I would need to change the pointed sleeves at the top. I like the fairisles (the children's section is loaded with them also) and a nice cable and bobble cardigan on back cover. The book is valuable on two fronts: history and knitting and definitely recommended, but probably for more advanced knitters who can adapt the patterns.

Limited size options
Most of the patterns in this book are given for only one size, and there are no schematics, so be prepared to expend a little effort modifying the patterns if you wish to knit them in a different size than the one given.I consider the effort to be worth it, given that you will end up with timeless classics that you can wear through the years.

Love the 40s, Dislike the Updates
The history at the start of each chapter is interesting as it put fashion in context with society.The impact of the war was the mother of all invention during this era and women's progress to non-restrictive garments jumped ahead, along with the leap into the workplace.Many of the updated versions of the knitwear lost some of the charm, most specifically in tailoring.In almost every case, I wish I had the original pattern, not the updated one.It appears that finely tailored tops became more shapeless or baggy when these were intended as form fitting tops. My biggest problem may also be a factor:Almost every pattern has one size...sometimes given as a range.For example, fits bust of 36 to 40 inches?!Or fits 38 inch bust?!I am 34 inches and as these were originally tailored sweaters, I am going to swim. All of the patterns tend to exclude the petite and the full-figured so if you are a happy medium, this is for you.I could have lived with this flaw has it been stated, along with suggestions about modifying for fit.My guess is either the author did not know how to calculate different sizes and/or did not want to take the time to knit up a variety of sizes...perhaps a rush to publish. Also, the photos did not show good detail on the garments, usually a sign of sloopy or hurried construction.One of the sweaters I like has a hot water bottle cover over the entire stomach and no other shots.One update only has the vintage photo, no update.I do not regret buying as I adore the styles of that decade and might take time to calculate my size when I have enough time.Buy with caution. ... Read more

Product Description
Polyester's popularity in the 1960s and 1970s ushered in distinctive new styles in colorful print designs. Enthusiastic descriptions are given for hundreds of cheerful dresses, jumpsuits, bellbottoms, hotpants, and disco clothes. The social issues of the times are described to help interpret the moods that helped to popularize these new styles. You will delight in the variety displayed, from the pretty and conservative designs of the early 1960s to the granny dresses, patchwork designs, paisley patterns, and flag fashions of the 1970s. "Vintage" clothing is differentiated from "retro," and original designs by Emilio Pucci, Oscar de la Renta, Geoffrey Beene, Diane Von Furstenberg, Lilly Pulitzer, and others are showcased. A foreword by Richard Martin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute gives a nostalgic first-hand summary of this colorful era. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Groovy Threads!
I can tell you from an I-Was-There perspective, that these were the street clothes girls and women were really wearing in those years. Or burned to own. (I only wish I'd had them all myself, with the exception of the paper dress). Sears catalog be damned, this is what the girls really looked like!
I also worked on a glossy influential fashion magazine (MADEMOISELLE)in the 1970s and so can distinguish from the wishful thinking of those magazines (and their advertisers) and the actual look of the time.
The real grrl models, and San Francisco setting complete the time capsule.
Great book!

dazzling fashions!
What an eyeful!This is a great book for enjoying 60's and early 70's fashions and for training the eye to find scores in vintage clothing shops and maybe even thrift stores.

The main problem with this book is that it is incorrectly billed as a collector's book "with values," but the values are only half a page of general ranges for various items.Though that part is misleading, the book overall is flashy and fun and definitely worthwhile.

It is also a good basic introduction to fashion terms and the histories of various styles.The San Francisco photography puts you right in the middle of the 60s, and though some of the styles are ... well ... atrocious, there are many styles that can be modified for today's wearing without having to go for the all-out retro look.Check out this book and prepare to drool.

Boiler-plate collector publishing at its worst
A great topic, ruined by horrendous art direction, amateurish writing & editing.Schiffer seems to grind out books in any and all topics as fast as they can, instead of putting out titles that are well-researchedand designed.What a shame.

Words cannot express my dissapointment.
BE WARNED: Unlike other books in the Schiffer series (Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalog etc.), this one lacks the original ads, layouts and groovy models that made those books so fascinating. This has a few,granted, but unfortunately the majority of the book is filled with whatlooks like female residents of San Fransisco. And it's painfully obviousthey're not models. Most look like rejects from a Gloria Steinhemconvention.

I wish I had known before buying it. A sprinkling of originalads make it somewhat interesting, but these women do absoloutely nothing toenhance the clothes. And are in no way a suitable substitute for the realthing.

Maybe collectors will find this worth while, but fans ofpop-kulture/60's & 70's fashions will lose their lunch. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Australian Fashion Unstitched provides a compelling and authoritative survey of the myriad influences and attributes of Australian fashion over the last sixty years. This post-war period saw Australia's fashion industry come of age. The word couturier became part of the Australian lexicon and glamorous Paris catwalk shows graced our shores, showcasing overseas styling to large audiences in our major cities. Displaying pride in our nationhood and paying tribute to our heritage, our young and emerging designers, in turn, embarked upon a long, sometimes arduous journey to offer Australian fashion to the world. Unique indigenous textile design, cutting-edge swimwear, and fresh interpretations of global trends infiltrated the international marketplace, sustaining and bolstering the trademark of Australian design. Australian Fashion Unstitched narrates this fascinating story through the eyes of the designers themselves, as well as the journalists, academics, fashion photographers and museum curators who represent this vibrant industry. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Cultural History -> Academic Bore
This book is very academic. I was looking forward to something descriptive, anecdotal, fun and interesting but I couldn't get past the dry, boring text and citations of academic papers.

A Cultural History of Fashion - Bonnie English - A Reveiw
Modern fashion is a `concept' that many people find fascinating.Particular periods have famous styles equated with them: the late-sixties the mini-skirt, the immediate post-World War Two period had the New Look, the 1950s, while often by-passed in consideration - the dirndl and shirtwaist and movie stars in tight sweaters emphasising their upper-body, punk fashion of the late-1970s with the zipper and over-sized safety pin - and so on.

Noting that fashion history is often essentially regarded as being about gracious ladies and heroic men, and is furthermore a collection of social histories attached to specific time frames - Bonnie English, an Australia based art history academic with a particular interest in fashion history, explores these aspects and a whole lot more. The book considers cultural developments from mainly British and American perspectives, as well as giving appropriate recognition to the role of French Couture, while further taking in broader European, later day Japanese and other globalisation influences.Additionally, how fashion acts as a reflection of society - how society moulds fashion - and fashion interprets society's current `state of mind' in a material manner.

Big business, designer clothes, popular culture, clothing production techniques, the ever-expanding media and visual arts, the rise of the celebrity designer, the role of fashion in everyday culture and the elaboration of street culture, are all given their rightful position.The crucial role of timing, for example, in the introduction of particular styles is crucial to success or failure - here, in terms of the New Look for example, it is noted that Dior triumphed whereas Balenciaga had previously been overlooked.As English asserts: "understanding the reasons why changes have taken place and being able to contextualize these changes within a socio-historical setting is paramount for the fashion student, the emerging designer, the fashion historian and the avid follower of fashion".

The book begins by charting the situation prior to World War One and the rise of the Haute Couture; taking in notions of taste, the role of consumerism and the rise of the department store, the impact of the initially recognised designers such as Worth and Poiret, developments to mass-production techniques and the need for mass-markets for the rise of ready-to-wear.The book then expands into the more recent influences on fashion -this switch from hand-made to machine-made and the inclusion of synthetic fabrics to reduce finished product costs.

The Hollywood film industry has played a global influence in the popularisation of fashionable ideals, from Greta Garbo and her offset hat, to blonde haired Marilyn Monroe and her red lipstick, low necklines and billowing skirts to Jane Russell and several others with their tight-fitting sweaters and over-proportioned, falsely up-lifted bosoms.Moving forward in-time was the influence of the likes of Mary Quant and the role of Pierre Cardin in popularising modern classic menswear, the earlier ascendance of, and continued rise of Yves Saint Laurent.Furthermore, acknowledging the critical role of youth culture and its critical impact on fashion - from its fashionable roots in the 1940s and rock 'n' roll Teddy Boy culture of the 1950s - highlighting hippie movement influences and punk inspired fashion of Zandra Rhodes and Vivienne Westwood and the more later-day additional influences of Moschino, Benetton and Jean-Paul Gaultier.

The book concludes with the globalisation of fashion and asks whether fashion has witnessed the death of haute couture.The global presence of celebrity promoted fashion and the celebrity designer, through to the initial inklings of twenty-first century fashion with developments such as the notion of fashion show as spectacle - with Alexander McQueen's as example, and to the presence of Internet based e-Fashion. And finally, posits the question `where is fashion headed'.

In conclusion, a well-written book that is easily accessible to any level of reader with an interest in fashion.As befits a broader understanding of `fashion' from a relative `global' - rather than a `surface-level' understanding - the book acknowledges the role of a gamut of influences and persuasions impacting on this phenomenon known as fashion to which each person has their own way of interacting with it: whether that be an eagerness to indulge in the `latest styles' or an abhorrence to new, and firm adherence to yesteryear, or a whole plethora of in-betweens.
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Customer Reviews (7)

Edutaining!
This book (series, really) is awesome! I am intermediate in my sewing abilities, and found it very easy to decipher and use. I am making a wedding dress from a mix of patterns found in these books. Very period-accurate, nice fashion plates, well written, clearly explained. You could not ask for more. I recommend that you make your first attempt or few from cheap/recycled material, until you are comfortable with how pieces of this time are made, as it is far more complicated than most of today's simplified and streamlined patterns. Be prepared to put in some hours on a good piece. If you are just want to educate yourself on fashion's of the Victorian era, this is a great series for you!

Great for inspiration and making accurate patterns
I am very pleased with this book and I think it gives a load of information for a very reasonable price.

The book (together with vol.2) is overfilled with all kinds of garments you can imagine and for each sort of garment there are always many styles.

It is not directly a drafting book, it does not tell you how to draft your own bodice etc. by using your measurements, but the method of using the patterns and the enlarging rulers is very close to that and, as I think, it might produce a very good substitution for a custom-drafted dress with saving a lot of your time and being very simple to do. It is something between custom drafting and pre-sized patterns, because you create the garments by using your bust and back length measurement, which are the two most important measurements for making a garment suited to your proportions and it will probably need only little easy modifications like adding/substracting from waist and hip width and maybe some changes for the front length. But all possible and most frequent modifications are very well explained in the book.

It is all written in such a way that even with no or little knowledge of drafting, you'll be able to produce a probably very well fitted garments.

For a drafting professional, it's a good help when doing things like skirts, especially draped overskirts and all garments creating a shape or silhouette that is hard to figure out. Even if you won't use the patterns for enlarging and draft the things yourself, you can very well keep to the shape of the patterns as you can see, unlike in so many pattern books, NUMBERS.

I think this book has the best ratio of the price and the information given of all costume book I've come through. It's a pity that there are no such books for earlier periods:-(

Excellent book!!!
This is a great book for seamstresses with some experience(I think it would be too hard for beginners.It would be good if you have some comprehenesion on sizing(drafting patterns yourself for example)but that isn't even necessary.I think it would be easier though:)

Frances Grimble gives clear instructions for changing patterns to size and even to different body shapes(large bust, short back etc.
You do need to take some time for this, but well, you'll have an authentic pattern in your hands, how great is that?;)And there are so many in this book! I was having a very hard time finding real historical patterns in The Netherlands(so far found one french journal from 1902)and I feel like a kid in a candystore now.:)I <3 this book already.

You can make a complete outfit, from undergarments to overgarments.

If you have some sewing experience and you love this period it is really a great book!



Amazon's service is excellent too. It didn't take very long for the item to arrive(from US to the Netherlands)(with one step faster shipping, expidited?)it was even a lot faster then the estimated arrival time.

Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 1: Undergarments, Bodices, Skirts, Overskirts, Polonaises, and Day Dresses 1877-1882
This book is wonderful. I believe I own every book Frances Grimble has written and anxiously await more. The variety of patterns is amazing and allows the experienced sewer to create their own designs from various components, like sleeves and collars. This sure beats trying to decipher the patterns in an original 1890's issue of Harpers!

as good as all the other Frances Grimble books
This book contains patterns for the following:
corsets, hoopskirts and bustles (some)
underclothing and negligee wear (quite a few)
day and evening skirts (only about four)
day bodices (quite a few)
evening bodices (some)
overskirts (some)
polonaises (some)
day dresses (quite a few)

some = around ten
quite a few = over 20

I would recommend this book for anyone who likes victorian costuming. It not only works as a pattern book, but as a source book, having lots of pictures you can use for reference. Even if you just look through it, it really can help you understand the styles of that era. ... Read more

Product Description
This compilation from a style-conscious decade features scores of illustrations with their original captions (specifying colors, sizes, prices). Items include apparel for men, women, and children—from lingerie and playclothes to bridal ensembles, Madras jackets, and vinyl slicker coats. Introduction. Over 300 black-and-white illustrations.
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Customer Reviews (11)

Fashions of the 60s
I purchased this book while designing costumes for The Odd Couple by Neil Simon. It came in handy for identifying appropriate hairstyles, hemlines and tie widths. In any case the Sears catalogue is always an invaluable reference for the costumer of any decade!

I love this book!
This book is wonderful - apart from the introduction it is all pictures. Don't be put off that most of them are black and white, they are still fabulous! Wonderful resource for anyone interested in sixties fashion - it also includes underwear and menswear.

Required Reference
The decade-by-decade images from all the books in this series are, IMHO, required references for those interested in fashion and costume design in the 20th century.

How I wish those illustrations were in color!
Vibrant color was one of the most important aspects of fashions of the 1960's. Sadly, the color is a missing aspect of this otherwise wonderful volume.

However, if you are looking for a trip down memory lane, Everyday Fashions of the Sixties as Pictured in Sears Catalogs is a great way to recapture the era. It brought back fond memories of my school days.

If you are not a Baby Boomer, you might be very surprised to realize that many of the styles we wore were much more conservative and flattering than the media's reinterpretation of 60's style. (Oh! How I want those shoes!)

Highly recommended for fashion research or pure entertainment! I'd give it another star if there was more color!

helpful book
This book has great pictures. It is not as comprehensive as I would have liked, but is still a very helpful guide to 60's fashion. ... Read more

Product Description
One hundred years of style by decade and designer.

The twentieth century experienced the most fashion changes in history: from hoop skirts to mini skirts, from wearing cotton to plastic. Fashion was as turbulent as the times. Throughout it all, Vogue magazine was there, as the leading visual filter.

20th Century Fashion, published in association with Vogue magazine, is the definitive style bible for anyone interested in the past, present and future of fashion. It takes a fresh look at fashion history over the twentieth century and charts the evolution from corsets to Coco Chanel to punk.

The book chronicles and explores one hundred years of developments and movements, including:- 20s flappers- Christian Dior's New Look- Swinging Sixties- New Romanticism- 90s Eclecticism

Illustrated with eye-catching archive images, 20th Century Fashion also features the work of the photographers who helped immortalize seminal fashion images. An A-Z section profiles two hundred and fifty of the greatest fashion designers who inspired, created and altered the course of fashion -- from Azzedine Alaïa to Zoran by way of Balenciaga and Yohji Yamamoto.

20th Century Fashion is an informative and inspirational look at how fashion reflects and projects social mores and individual values. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Just OK.
This is a very small book.It's about the size of a paperback novel.The first half is a very brief history of western fashion, focusing on each decade of the 20th century.The second half contains very brief biographies of many fashion designers.How brief?Sometimes there are 5 on a single small page.There are very few photos.I would have liked to have seen one or two photos of every designer's work.Instead there's maybe one photo for every fifth designer.The book is good for a quick lookup of "Who? Never heard of them before."It's not great if you really want to know about someone's work.

GREAT FASHION BOOK!
This is the book you need if you are looking for a complete -and at the same time- condensed history of 20th century fashion and its most important designers.
It is very interesting and well written, besides... it has amazing pictures! Great value for your money ;)

Great research
i used this book to help me with a research paper on fashions reflections of society's morals. i loved the format and it was so useful. i learned so much and appreciated the truthfulness.

Elegance, Imagination, Attitude - We've Come So Far!
VOGUE was launched in New York on December 17, 1892. This outstanding book chronicles more than just a century of fashion. Written with in-depth focus, this gorgeous book hits on the pulse of the attitudes, societal values, and social elegance that the designer's portrayed, as well as how American culture was reinvented decade after decade. This is one outstanding book, and shows just how far we've come. Special thanks to Linda Watson for an outstanding job in bringing the 20th century to life. Simply FANTASTIC!

biographies of 245 international fashion designers
Vogue Twentieth Century Fashion - 100 Years of Style by Decade and Designer is another superb book, which we recommend. Written by Linda Watson it is very informative and also has the status of a coffee table book. The book contains the biographies of 245 international fashion designers and couturiers. It starts off with a description about the various fashion decades of the 20th Century. Entertaining are the quotes from old Vogue magazines about the latest fashion trends. The oldest Vogue, which is quoted is from 19 August 1909. Needless to say that there are many pictures and photos on each page. ... Read more

Product Description

Since becoming the capital of reunited Germany, Berlin has had a dose of global money and international style added to its already impressive cultural veneer. Once home to emperors and dictators, peddlers and spies, it is now a fashion showplace that attracts the young and hip. Moving beyond descriptions of Berlin's fashion industry and its ready-to-wear clothing, Berliner Chic charts the turbulent stories of entrepreneurially-savvy manufacturers and cultural workers striving to establish their city as a fashion capital, and being repeatedly interrupted by politics, ideology, and war. There are many stories to tell about Berlin's fashion industry and Berliner Chic tells them all with considerable expertise.

Product Description

Get intimately acquainted with the V&A’s world-renowned collection of undergarments in this eye-opening visual history. From camisoles to corsets, basques to boudoir caps, Underwear: Fashion in Detail traces the peculiar evolution of underwear. Revealing photographs highlight close-up details in the garments, while intricate line drawings show their masterly construc­tion. A wide range of designs is represented, from rare 16th-century examples to Dior’s curvaceous New Look, to Calvin Klein’s notorious briefs.

Product Description
An analysis of fashion, focusing on the historical and ethical potential that modern style embodies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Spectacular!
With quick-paced, beautiful prose, Arnold distills, illuminates, and reveals the violence and decay which has become the dominant theme of end of the Century high-fashion. Generously illustrated and neatly referenced, she examines how power is wielded through fashion; how fashion blurs and disguises; and, most importantly, how it gives expression to the desires and anxieties of a buying public overwhelmed by a kind of creeping brutality. Never losing sight of historical and cultural contexts, she nevertheless delights in making her point by the exquisite examination of a detail. In a word, remarkable! ... Read more

Product Description
The post-war years saw an upheaval in social, personal and professional life that resulted in a large variety of fashions in a comparatively short period. From the austerity of the utility years to the recent seventies revival, this book aims to capture the changes in mood and style of each era, with an assessment of new phenomena such as peer group pressure. The book shows a cross-section of clothing including street fashion and formal wear, underwear, sportswear and nightclothes. ... Read more