2 comments about Great Costumes from Classic Movies Paper Dolls: 30 Fashions by Adrian, Edith Head, Walter Plunkett and Others.

1. The costumes and dolls pictured in this book are up to Mr. Tierney's usual fine standards. I agree with the previous poster that some of the doll faces don't quite look like the intended stars, and that some costumes have been used in other books and the inclusion of other stars and/or other costumes for variety's sake would have been nice.
   
   My main reason for giving this item 4 stars rather than 5 are two errors in reproducing the costumes, which meticulous research could have avoided. The doll of Joan Crawford wears a costume from "The Women", a red sequined dance dress. The dress should be gold. Joan Crawford famously quoted of her rival, Norma Shearer, in the same movie, "Norma got the guy, but I got the gold sequined dress."
   
   The doll of Bette Davis wears a black cocktail dress (from "All About Eve") which comes to just below the knee. In the film, the dress came to the ankle and was actually made of a heavy brown silk, with elbow-length cuffs and pockets at the waist, both trimmed in sable.
   
   Overall, I think this is an outstanding effort to examine classic Hollywood costuming with biographical data on the designers.



2. This is an inspired tribute by Tom Tierney the great costume designers of Hollywood's golden era. As is expected from Mr Tierney, the pieces are beautifully rendered and we are reminded of the time when costumes played a starring role in movies.
   
   A few aspects of this work lowered my overall rating of its quality. Firstly, the rather odd concept was off-putting, that is, two dolls who serve as supports for costumes with detachable heads portraying the stars who wore them. Secondly, some of the heads don't look at all like the actresses in question, most notably Katharine Hepburn (the head actually looks like Raquel Welch), Marlene Dietrich and Rita Hayworth. Finally, some costumes have appeared in other works by Mr Tierney. Given the wealth of Hollywood costumes to choose from, there was no need for repetition.
   
   That aside, there are some delightful illustrations. I especially liked the amusing portrayal of Jack Lemmon in "Some Like It Hot". The red gown from "Jezebel", the wedding dress from "thoroughly Modern Millie" and the draped dress with a fur stole from "Sunset Boulevard" were also outstanding.

1 comments about It's a Matter of Packaging.

1. Index book is by far an editorial that specializes in making your head spin. They are hard to reach but they are worth every penny. I received this book as a gift through my request, i hadnt looked at it too much but i knew it would be good considering it was Index book and that it was about Packaging. Its content is very nice, theres a good variety in format and style, a few examples i had already seen in other books, and for that i did not give it full stars, but if you are not in so deep into packaging, you will find this book very amusing, definately a must have if you want to dive into fresh ideas considering this subject. The book also provides a few interviews with its designers (something extra) The interior is also well designed and the cover has an extra sleeve where it displays every imput the book contains, all in nice colours of green, silver foil and white.

5 comments about Fashion in the Age of the Black Prince: A Study of the Years 1340-1365.

1. The subject matter of this book suggests that illustrations would and should form an important part of its content. Indeed, the book includes more than 40 separate figures. However, the illustrations in the paperback copy of the book that I have just received are truly awful - they look like bad black and white photocopies of the original photographs. Most of them are too dark to discern any detail. One figure (fig. 10) is particularly entertaining - the legend reads: A shoe cut into a decorative open pattern. A spoil from the Battle of Visby, 1360. This illustration consists of a featureless black blob in the middle of a grey background. Any possibility of seeing a "decorative open pattern" is laughable. This book looks like an ultra-cheap re-print of a book that was previously published in a quality format.
   Having now obtained a copy of the original 1980 hardback Boydell Press edition, I can confirm that the figures do indeed look like scans of the original photographs from this book (which are, by the way, useful and informative).



2. This book does contain wonderful written accounts of clothing--clothing that I happen to know does NOT appear in pictures (the written descriptions, therefor, are the only evidence of their existence). It's furthered my knowledge of cotehardie decoration/embellishment in particular.
   
   But, my God!, this woman is BORING! I still don't know how someone could manage to take a topic I'm dead-interested in (I make 14th century clothing for myself and my husband) and bore me to tears with it. I haven't read more than about a fourth of the book.
   
   Some history scholars should hire ghost writers. Just because you can research with the best of them doesn't mean you can write a book that anyone else can read.
   
   Oh, and she's one of those uppity history scholars who doesn't bother to translate anything out of middle French or Latin. I'm so sorry I don't speak three languages like you do!
   
   Good material, dreadful presentation.



3. This book is definately for the experienced costumer - and for somebody who is deeply interested in researching fashion in this era.

   It is a book that is full of detailed descrption, although the lack of colour illustrations is definately a minus. I had hoped that with the re-issue the photographs would have been re-taken in colour.

   I found it to be very useful, but definately not something to sit down and read - it is definately a "study" type of read.




4. i would just like to say that i was extremely dissapointed with this book due to the lack of illustrations especially colour illustrations of which thier were virtually none. id have to say that i was decieved by the books lovely cover page.



5. This book is filled with useful information for those interested in the costume of the period, although it can be hard to untangle some of the author's sentences. Newton covers the period in short segments (a few years at a time), examining the changes to costume throughout Europe as documented in a variety of sources - contemporary descriptions in chronicles and literature, illuminations, condemnation of fashion by clerics, sumptuary laws, and household accounts. The glimpses into social history, economics, politics and class structure are also useful. My only regret is that she strictly limits herself to the period in question and that there aren't more illustrations. But this book is an excellent resource.

5 comments about Figure Templates for Fashion Illustration: Over 150 Templates for Fashion Design.

1. This book has helped me to fine-tune my illustration skills and get my proporations right.



2. While the tutorials on proportion are somewhat helpful, the drawings, unfortunately, are ugly. The poses lack the edgy and modern look found in other books and among top design houses; they are stiff, and the drape of the fabric is all wrong: it is generalized, and the way it is drawn not only adds nothing to the garment. The folds make it impossible to tell the weight and type of fabric, and in many cases, are not in accordance with the fit or how any fabric would behave.
   
   The details are inconsistent. Some faces are attractive, others unsightly, poorly drawn; some figures have decent poses with some interest, most of the others perch themselves awkwardly on the page, slouching over and oddly angled. As for the idea of using templates to trace, there is nothing in the adult figure section worth tracing, nor is the layout really meant for this, contrary to the title
   
   The section on drawing children in better than the other parts of the book, as are the renderings. They actually manage to capture much of that cheery childhood feel, the cute faces and expressions, and some playful gestures.
   
   Overall, I do not recommend this book, especially when there are so many others that feature great drawings, have helpful tutorials, and generally provide the reader with a solid foundation on fashion design. The Best book on fashion illustration is "Fashion Sketchbook" by Bina Abling. It may cost much more, but it is worth it. If that's too much, keep looking around--this book was a waste of money, and I would not recommend it.



3. If you are hoping to use these templates to draw over for your portfolio, this is NOT the book. If you want a better idea on how to illustrate for your portfolio, this IS the book. This book goes in more depth on fashion illustration than any other book I own. It should be called "Fashion Illustration for Dummies" Great Book!



4. This book promises more than it delivers. The basic templates are useful, but in all other aspects this book is lacking.
   The written information is scant and repeated - very superfluous. Mr Ireland's style is very outdated and uninspiring for those hoping to make a career out of fashion - in any form. I would recommend this book only as a basic early tool for novices hoping to improve their figure construction.
   For inspiration I recommend Laird Borelli's FASHION ILLUSTRATION NOW.



5. this isn't the 'how to draw the fashion model' book you wish taught you everything you ever needed to know. However, its good to have around when you just need to pump an idea out. It has women, men, and children.

1 comments about Felt Style: 35 Fashionable Accessories To Create and Wear.

1. This book is absolutely amazing. Chrissie Day provides the most amazing projects complete with visual step by step pictorial. This book has more information in it than you can imagine. I love this book...jewelry, felted fabric, flowers, slippers, knit felted bag, beads...lots of innovative ideas and techniques to really inspire you to create and do it yourself. This book has been released with a different cover (the other cover has a picture of orange slippers). The picture on this cover is misleading to me as the color combo on this project is not the most inspiring thing in the book...this bag is also done in brown and white inside the book and it is stunning~you will not be disappointed with the projects and ideas in this book.

No comments about William Morris: Patterns & Designs (International Design Library).

2 comments about How Underwear Got Under There: A Brief History: A Brief History.

1. This title covers a real need: the naked truth about underwear. Ten chapters in a tidy picture book even older kids will read cover topics like Protection, Warmth, Modesty, Cleanliness, Support, Shaping, Exaggeration, Status, Making a Statement and Future Undies. The text is a tightly woven fabric of truths about underwear ranging from such notables as Genghis Khan and his anti-arrow menswear, King Tut who was buried in 145 layers of undies and the primitive loincloth to the promised future of body sensors embedded in your Fruit of the Looms; this gets down to the foundations of corsets, bras, codpieces, crinoline petticoats, bloomers, and bustles. A huge amount of information wedged into this volume. The illustrations are lively and funny (as befits a Ringling Brothers artist. The book could only be made totally perfect by the addition of an index.



2. Kathy Shaskan's HOW UNDERWEAR GOT UNDER THERE: A BRIEF HISTORY is a whimsical story of how underwear has affected history, from King Tut who was buried with 145 pairs to how underwear has affected fashion and society alike. It's a zany, fun read which will attract leisure readers.

5 comments about Cutting Hair the Vidal Sassoon Way, Revised Edition.

1. I didn't know that revised could mean to leave things out. I purchased this book because I lost the original one. Well, this one is not just revised it is changed so that the very things I was trying to find where no longer in the book. What a disappointment.



2. I have been in this industry for 26 years and used this book when it first came out, and found it again. A classic is a classic. We use this book for our "newartist" trainees. The basics never change, we just build off of them. The techniques used in this book are still used in todays styles, just variations. This book was recommended by our trainers and I am so glad I rediscovered it!



3. Bobs are classic cuts in every decade since the 20s when seriously stylish women starting cutting their traditionally long hair. Sassoon bob cuts represent the fully evolved style. These cuts take time and care and skill. If you prefer today's weed-whacker look, these chic, expert cuts won't appeal to you. If, on the other hand, you want a cut that makes you look and feel great, and gets respectful attention from others, Sassoon is The Man.



4. would be a good book if we were in the 70s I felt ripped off



5. want to know what kind od the book

4 comments about Too Fast For Love: Heavy Metal Portraits.

1. Don't be fooled by the title of this book, the only "Heavy Metal Portraits" here are of the fans. There's not a rock star in sight. The closest you'll get are 2 KISS fans in full Destroyer-era regalia. The amusement factor is high though as it's amazing that these people would not only step out of the house looking like this but would put themselves on public display at a concert. Most of the women here look like they have more testosterone then the men. Be sure to check out the 2 page spread of the guy advertising 9 inches of imagination who only needs a moustache to double for Carl on ATHF. Caveat emptor indeed.



2. I feel like people in reviews have been a little harsh on this book. Yeah, I could go to a show and see some of the same crowd that's pictured in this book. But I am not going to see every sweet detail like the Black Hills Gold Jewelry and the awful fake nails and the hideous tattoos. It makes me glad that the tattoos I started getting 15 years ago aren't as bad as they could be. I can flip through this book and stare. I'm not going to trail someone at a show and do that. And I can show my friends the really awesome pictures that no verbal discription could do justice. But the coolest thing is that I feel connected to these people (I just have better hair and fashion sense and....). I mean, we go to the same shows. I just won't make any photo books for looking fabulously hessian. I recommend this book. If you're a butt rocker at heart, you've got to love it.



3. This is a classic case of a picture is worth a thousand words. Each person you see has a story that you come up with in your own mind. My particular favorite is the guy with the tee shirt that says, "Chicks dig scrawny white guys." It's also impressive to think that may of the ladies spent lots of time to make themselves look the way they appear in the book. Not so much for the guys. Some ink, torn up jeans, Marlboro Reds and a torn concert tee and you're ready to rock.



4. This book was a total waste of money. Unless you were in this book or know somebody in this book don't waste your money. Spend your money on a concert ticket and you'll see everything in the book.

5 comments about A History of Costume.

1. This is one of my favorite costume references. The pictures and illustrations whet the appetite for more information. This is particularly the case for me regarding the ancient oriental costumes. I wish there were more plates and more written historical and construction details. Still looking. The price is right and here is a solid beginning resource.



2. I enjoyed this book and found it a great reference for dressing my dolls in period costume



3. This is a decent overview of costume history from the Ancients to the mid 19th century with authentic resources (statues, portraits, extant costumes, pictures) as well as some original illustrations (be cautious with those and cross-reference, especially with women's garments and periods where the shapes are linear and the sides and bust are flattened--Kohler tends to round things out and represent the bust in a more rounded, typically 1860's style). It also contains a few patterns that are minimally useful (lack or proportion or instruction, etc.) except to understand the anatomy of the garments and how the pieces might fit together. No color pictures, but enough illustrations and primary resources to contribute to an overall sense of a period in costume history.



4. This book gets a lot of use in my collection. My aim is creating authentically reproduced garments. This book contains rudimentary layouts for garments, with measurements. It also has a satisfactory brief overview of written material. Not only for the various periods, but also for different regions during a particular period. This book would be a good quick reference for a re-enactor trying to start character developement.



5. As it covers all eras, from ancient to present, mainly the western world, I believe that it does a great job.
   Patterns are great, and useful.
   The description of each era is great.