No comments about Modern Threads: Fashion and Art by Mariska Karasz.

3 comments about Hattie Carnegie Jewelry: Her Life And Legacy.

1. The author of this book missed a great opportunity. This should have been a definitive history and a comprehensive illustrated survey of Hattie Carnegie's jewelry production. Instead, it's poorly written, scattershot and incomplete. Virtually none of Carnegie's fascinating and highly original 1940's designs (identifiable by the "HC" mark) are represented here. Almost all of the pictures are of 1950's and 1960's jewelry. The vast majority of pieces pictured in the book are ordinary and uninteresting - simple, plain and all-too-often trite goldtone designs of no particular distinction or style. Virtually none of Carnegie's most distinctive designs and spectacular jewels are illustrated in this volume. A serious author would have contacted dealers and collectors to obtain pictures of pieces that truly illustrate Carnegie jewelry's history, style and range. Much better Carnegie designs are pictured in GENERAL guides to collecting costume jewelry. To add insult to injury, what should have been a well-researched biography of Carnegie and narrative history of the company is instead a patchwork of miscellaneous tidbits strung together in a virtually incomprehensible style. Compared to the superlative books devoted to other jewelry designers (such as Miriam Haskell and Joseff), this book is a disgrace. A reader who knew nothing about Hattie Carnegie before reading this book would come away wondering why Carnegie was considered a great designer and fashion maven or why anyone would ever bother collecting her jewelry. If you are a serious collector of designer costume jewelry, you will be most likely be disappointed by this book. Who needs a Hattie Carnegie book that contains only a handful of her most inspired and creative designs buried among mountains of drek? It's truly a shame that the author wasted the opportunity to meaningfully document the career of such an important figure in the history of great American costume jewelry.



2. This author clearly loves Hattie Carnegie jewelry. The history is informative with some excellent research sources. The pictures are nice and give some idea of the style. I would have liked more detail on how the jewelry was constructed, the types of findings and a better idea of what was the true Carnegie style.
   
   The pricing was not helpful. Ranges like $95.00-$225.00 and $225.00- $525.00 do not help determine the true value. A collector would not be able to value a collection with this book.
   
   The pictures mix less and more expensive items all together and does not explain what key characteristics to look for to justify the higher price. I am not sure what to look for to distinguish the better pieces from the lesser. I have about 40 Carnegie pieces in my own collection and not one of them is shown in the book so it leads me to think that there are a lot more pieces out there that are not pictured so this is by no means a definitive representation of this designers jewelry.
   
   This book is not for the beginning collector because it is too general and it really is not a book you will refer to over and over because it needs more detail.



3. Until I read this book I had never collected any costume jewelry or even particularly liked it. I bought it because a friend wrote it. However, I have spent hours poring over the gorgeous color photographs and from now on will be alert for the Hattie Carnegie markings when I go to flea markets and antique shows. The book is not only a catalog of the more collectible Hattie Carnegie's pieces including estimated values, but also a well written entertaining biography of Hattie Carnegie. For a collector it must be a treasure.

4 comments about Andre de Dienes: Marilyn.

1. Andre de Dienes has taken some of the most precious photographs of Marilyn Monroe that there are. If you know that, or are a big Marilyn Monroe fan, know this: they are not all here, not even close. However, it's one of the nicer books for the collector. I am disappointed because they've altered some photos, ie, placed the image of her head in the sky, etc., where I would have preferred to see the original photo instead. I am hoping for a more complete, color photo book of his work at some point, but this is definitely worth getting.



2. I picked this book up today and was intrigued by the direct casual photos of photos that I was not used to of Marilyn Monroe. Most photos that we see of Marilyn are glamorized by Hollywood. This book tells a beautiful memoir between Marilyn and Andre. The photos in this book are high quality and even in include about 5-6 color prints in the middle of the book. Highly recommended.



3. Even for non-Marilynphiles, this is a magic photographic trip of her metamorphosis from Norma Jeane to Marilyn - would have liked to have more of the pictures in 8 x 10 format, and information regarding the obviously enhanced ones with clouds, stars, etc. (why were they done, how were they done, when were they done)
   
   If you have a Marilyn Monroe library, this is a must. If you don't, it's a marvelous Sunday afternoon read and view.



4. This book is simply fantastic. Andre de Dienes captured Marilyn Monroe's beauty when she was still Norma Jeane, and nobody ever captured her in her truer state.
   These photographs (which of course are accompanied by a text of Andre de Dienes' memoirs--or is it the other way around?)-- they are absolutely the most stunning, beautiful images ever taken of the most photogenic GODDESS that the world-at-large has ever known.
   One of the most incredible ones is frustratingly not blown up to regular size, but merely shown from his proof sheets (pages 130 and 206 feature the image(s) I am referring to). The cover shot has long been my favorite Marilyn photo, and I now see that a few others that particuarly intoxicated me for many years are all here! Andre de Dienes was simply the best photographer Marilyn ever had; a photographic genius.
   But he was a lot more than that; a friend, a lover (who, like many of those who fell in love with Marilyn first-hand, never stopped loving her).
   The stories are riveting; incredible at times, even.
   And the aforementioned photographs are simply breathtaking.
   I particuarly love all the shots from Tobey Beach; she's never so radiant with her beauty so lush, warm and comforting. Pages 27 and 43 feature the Norma Jeane I TOO prefer to the more common image(s) of Marilyn Monroe, the "glamorous" Hollywood take on her beauty, which rings less natural in comparison to these wonderful shots. The photo on page 119 is one to die for, her tenderness so entrancing (and that's from the " The End of Everything" session!)
   The bubble bath photos from '52 are also unbelievable.
   The photos perfectly accompany the story, which add to them tremendously; seeing Marilyn eating a sundae -- as simple as that -- is an image that is heartwarming and beautiful in context, an absolute joy.
   
   Thi is neither just a memoir (albeit however fascinating it IS); nor a mere photobook (although when referring to Marilyn Monroe's beauty AND a genius photographer like de Dienes, "mere" doesn't fit either!).
   It's SOMETHING ELSE!
   
   I am very glad that Steve Crist put this together; he did indeed stumble upon treasure.
   And Mr. de Dienes' widow, without whom this could not, would not exist?
   Ms. Shirley T. Ellis de Dienes' acknowledgements in the back of the book were enough to bring me to tears.
   
   This book is an absolute must for any Marilyn Monroe fan.

5 comments about Aloha Shirt, The: Spirit Of The Islands.

1. I loved this book, it is helpful to my collecting and my selling. It has wonderful pictures, and I love the section on '60's makers and just the way it is arranged in general is helpful and makes for fascinating reading. The only thing I would like to see with this book is a name index; this would make it so much more helpful as a reference. I do highly recommend it though, as a reference or just as a coffee table book.



2. Wow, what a book!! Having been previously lightly infected by the `Aloha Shirt' bug, after having read this beautiful book, I became incurably and terminally struck down. Profusely illustrated from the collections of many well-known and extremely lucky collectors, this book has become my bedside bible. The research is also first-class, following the development of the Aloha shirt from a fun thing, to a full-blown industry. I now live and breath THE shirt. Buy this book and like me, change your life.



3. If Hawaii or the aloha shirt has ever gladdened your heart, you'll want to own THE ALOHA SHIRT. Dale Hope conveys the TRUE SPIRIT (colorful, soft, peaceful, flowing) of the Hawaiian Islands by presenting both the fascinating history of the aloha shirt and 500 or so beautiful illustrations. These illustrations are so varied and exquisite that you'll get high just by perusing them. They also help you see how the aloha shirt can be an art form in and of itself. Hopefully, this book will inspire people to wear their aloha shirts more often -- not just when they visit Hawaii -- and to buy the new ones that are being created by the best artist designers.



4. Dale Hope grew up in the Hawaiian garment industry, taking over his father's clothing business at the age of 26. As the art director of Kahala Sportswear, Hope oversees the creation and manufacturing of 150 new Aloha shirt designs annual. In The Aloha Shirt: Spirit Of The Islands, Hope collaborates with writer Gregory Tozian to offer a magnificent, coffee-table artbook dedicated to the history of the unique and famous Hawaiian shirt style. This impressive treatise covers the history of Hawaiian clothing, the evolution of the tailor shop into the modern clothing factories, the designers, textiles, printmakers, and retailers that made the Hawaiian "aloha shirt" famous around the world. There are chapters focusing on Duke Kahanamoku, celebrities, shirt makers of the 60s, labels and buttons, and aloha shirt collectors. Profusely and beautiful illustrated, the text is informative, at times fascinating, and highly recommended for students of American clothing history and fads in general, and Hawaii's contributions to the garment industry and American popular culture in particular.



5. The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands is unique, as a historical and artistic book documenting the Aloha shirt, from its historic beginnings as a cottage industry, to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. This definitive text has been extensively researched, with textile artists, designers, garment manufacturers and their families and friends all contributing to the consistency of the history as researched by Dale Hope. An educational and artistic book bringing over 500 aloha shirts with their Hawaiian inspired origins paralleled with the history and times of Hawaii. For those who have memories of Hawaii, and for those who share their memories to others, this elegant coffee table book is a "must have" for all!

No comments about Dress Shirt Design.

1 comments about The Windsor Style.

1. The Windsors, while they were living, epitomized style, glamour, and wit. Ultimately theirs was a wasted life, empty of meaning in the end. From the heady days of their scandalous romance, life was all downhill, a private struggle to conserve their dignity in the aftermath of the abdication. To fill this emptiness and lack of purpose in life, the Duchess obsessed on perfection; of herself, of the things she collected and of the table she set. The Windsor's sous chef spent hours sorting salad leaves into leaves of exactly the same size to be set before their guests. Their relationship was a hollow recreation of the childhood the Duke never could leave behind. Moulin de la Tuilerie, their country home outside of Paris, was the York Cottage of Edward's youth reborn. Wallis herself was Queen Mary, obsessively arranging the display of small objets and cosseting the little boy who was King. A long time servant said, "They had nothing and no-one. They were just two lonely old people." Suzy Menkes takes the reader on an interesting tour through not only of the tangible objects of this relationship, but of the relationship itself.

4 comments about Sweatshirts With Style (Starwear).

1. I found the book I had been searching for in like new condition for only $.41! I am well satisfied with my purchase.



2. I've had this book for years and have used the principles in it to make many sweatshirts into comfortable cardigans. They are wonderful for slipping on and off easily when you have arthritis and aren't as heavy as a regular jacket. By coordinating fabric you can make a cardigan that matches your pants and skirts. Using the ideas in this book there are many ways to adapt and make nice looking cover-ups for disabled people who have special dressing needs such as larger neckholes, etc.



3. This book gave tips on how to revise sweatshirts in ways that I should have thought of years ago but never did. Well worth the price-in fact, it was a steal! I would recommend this book to anyone who can sew.



4. you sold a used book that you had already sold and was not available and I have no way to tell you. I wish I did. so this
   is a review of your service not the book.

4 comments about Irving Penn: A Career in Photography.

1. Very classy, clean, elegant, refined photographs. Presented beautifully. A great photo book to own if you like more classic photography.



2. Irving Penn: A Career in Photography is a book that examines the work and life of photographer Irving Penn. Several different writers and people associated with Penn have included text to describe their view of Penn and his life in photography. Colin Westerbeck, Issey Miyake, Martin Harrison, Edmund Carpenter, Rosamond Bernier, Colin Eisler, and Jennifer Jankauskas all contribute to the book. Writer and editor Colin Westerbeck invites the reader into the history of Irving Penn through a summary of Penn's life in his photo career. He begins with Penn's early fashion feature called "Flying Down to Lima" where after a case of airsickness, developed a new vision that changed his view of photography. Westerbeck also mentions Penn's different styles and renowned photo shoots including his many photos of various celebrities wedged into a narrow-angle corner he created out of theater flats, and also Penn's move to platinum prints. The remainder of the 200-page book comprises Penn's more famous photos. In total, there are 193 in the book, some which correspond to the text.
   Irving Penn: A Career in Photography is an excellent book for anyone interested in photography, or even a professional looking for inspiration. Though it is a large book (approximately 10" by 12") its size is fitting for a photo book so that all the images can be easily seen and appreciated. The selection of photos is also suitable in that they are some of Penn's best and most known to the photo savvy, and are also mixed in genre. The text contributed by the aforementioned people help describe and reflect Penn's photos, and also show his many styles, techniques, and views on photography. Though these stories are informative to the reader, they can also get confusing and tough to read, as some of the writers tend to overuse unnecessary wording and phrasing. However, the excellent use of text/photo relationship in design and content work well in presentation, and contributes to an overall superb book.



3. One of the most significant photographers of the twentyith century, Irving Penn's captivating photographs throughout his career are wonderfully showcased in this book. From his humble beginnings as a graphic dsigner in the 1940's to his portraits of the native peoples from the far reaches of the world-Penn's work has had a major impact on not only the world of photography but aslo the art world as a whole. This retrospective of Penn's body of work is much more thorough than expected.
   The graphic quality of his work really speaks to me as a graphic desiner; weather it be his rich photographs of nude women or his famous portraits of politicans, actors and fashion models. The numerous illustrations of Penn's well-known corner shot were a nice surprise in the book; many of these images are very difficult to find on the internet, it was great being able to study the nuances of the portraits up close. A beautiful and informative book that any Penn fan would love.



4. Great book for anybody interested in Penn's wor

1 comments about Wilhemina's World of Child Modeling.

1. I really like this book. It is extremely easy to read and is great for someone who knows nothing. It familarises you with modeling terms and gives you some idea of what to expect. I'm not sure how this compares to other books or the child modeling experience itself though and I did still have some remaining questions after finishing the book.

No comments about The Guide to Textiles for Interiors.