2 comments about 20th Century Neckties: Pre-1955 (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. The price of vintage ties is all over the board,...has been since the mid 1990s and continues to be even now (2007). The fact is, vintage ties, the desirable ones and the not-so desirable ones can be easily had for $1-20 dollars. Its not fiction, its fact, unless you're impatient and/or well-off in the world of greenbacks, then maybe you and your well earned pocket full of dough might part ways as it burns inside of your trousers. I personally own a collection of over 200 vintage ties from the 1930s to the late 1940s, all in wonderful condition and 99% have been purchased for under $20 dollars....all worn by myself and not just tucked away for no one to see and appreciate.
   
   It was meant to be worn!
   
   Roseann Ettinger does a good job in her book, and has quite the collection to boot!
   Some photographs better than others, some other books better than hers in some ways, and vice versa. The revival is based on historical attire and dress repeating itself, with little to do with the resurgence that we've seen in the mid 1990s of modern day swing bands, though most if not all did no justice to the originatiors in the craft of that music such as the instrumental magic of Artie Shaw, the vocal stylings of Ella Mae Morse, and so on. Those who have been true to the style and swank of the 1940s have been and will continue to be far beyond any musical fads that pop up on the horizon from before the 1990s and well after!
   
   I say Kudos to Roseann Ettinger and Kudos to many other authors who have written on the subject and can be found on Amazon, etc.



2. As a price guide the quotes may have been relevant five years ago or reflect the rural Pennsylvania market,but they are not an accurate reflection of the hot demand on both coasts.The current revival is based on the resurgence of the retro tie and swing band culture. The author spends too many pages on the first forty years of neckwear, which few current tie collectors are interested in. Frankly, these ties are boring.The most unfortunate overriding failure of the book is the dismal photography which makes the few exciting ties muted and restrained in their presentation.Another shortfall is the paucity of any of the human interest stories associated with either the tie creators or wearers.The only real bright spot is the great forties advertising, which is a direct lift from much better books.

4 comments about Hollywood Costume Design by Travilla (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This item was purchased as a gift and as such I will never read it but it was a book that the recepient really wanted.



2. This is another well-designed, well-presented book from Schiffer, known for its volumes appealing to collectors of various types of memorabilia. (I also own _Harrison Fisher: Defining The American Beauty_ and Kristina Harris' _Victorian and Edwardian Fashion for Women_ from the same publisher, both high-quality paperbacks.) Travilla may not be as instantly recognizable a name as Edith Head, Adrian or Helen Rose in the field of movie costume design, but his costumes are very definitely ones the viewer will remember. That sexy white dress Marilyn Monroe wore in her most iconic scene, in "The Seven Year Itch"? That's a Travilla design, and his sketch for the outfit graces the dust jacket of the book. The book is full of artwork, much of it in full-page format; photographs, both color and black-and-white, and sketches of notable designs. Travilla's most famous (and, judging from his remarks, his favorite) client, was Marilyn Monroe, but he designed outfits for many other actresses - and a few actors - from the 1940's through the 1980's, starting with Ann Sheridan (whom he became so close to that he nicknamed her "Aunt Annie") and going on to Emma Samms. This book isn't cheap new or used, but take that as a sign of its quality and desirability and do make the investment if you're interested in this field!



3. This book is so well written! Very entertaining info on the man, the industry & the personalities. Tons & tons of great photos & sketches!



4. Travilla became a Hollywood star thanks in large part to his client Marilyn Monroe, gaining fame for his design of her costumes - but his art graced many familiar forms, and Hollywood Costume Design By Travilla provides an excellent display of his original sketches and creations. Monroe fans and Hollywood fans alike will relish this display, lavish with color reproductions of Travilla's art.

5 comments about Cosplay Girls: Japan's Live Animation Heroines.

1. Outside of the page after page of cute cosplay girls, and some guys, this book also has chapters on cosplay design, hairstyles, lingo, information about both cosplayers and camekos - those people behind the cameras, how to pick a pose, and survival tips for going to events, such as rules of conduct. If you don't have a book on cosplay or are just started it, this WILL help you as it world also work with American Anime Conventions I go to.



2. This is a great reference guide for beginner and advanced costume makers. I highly recomend this book.



3. Ever since I was a little boy, I have dressed up as my favorite anime character. For the last eight years, I have lived my life in costume - Chun Li from Street Fighter. This book helped me realize that not only am I alone, but I could actually be popular. Thank you Jennifer Cahill!



4. WHAT A GREAT BOOK AND THE GIRLS ARE HOT TOO. HA HA



5. Another DH Publishing success! That's if you're into wacky Japanese pop culture! This book is full of cute J-girls dressed in every Anime and Manga character costume you can think of (and a lot you can't). Why do they do it? Well, it's all explained, plus bits and pieces about making costumes, doing your hair, posing, etc. There's also interviews with Cosplayers (who all seem a bit crazed) and the Cameko ... who follow them around with cameras (really are crazed) . It's a colorful, fun book, that you can look thru again and again and always find something strange and new. A great gift for somebody. And Amazon are offering 30%!

3 comments about Making Kimono & Japanese Clothes.

1. I always sew lots and I got this book to help me understand kimono more. It helps me much and I am using it lots.



2. I currently use this book as a way to keep kittens from digging through things. The cover is gorgeous and has several nice images of traditional kimono. It is also useful for a basic jist of patterns. What this book is most useful for is making American Kimona or kimono inspired wear. It does not offer much in the way of history or in the making of traditional formal wear. I would recommend making yukata from this book, but I could not recommend using this book, especially not exclusively to make traditional kosode or furisode. A very useful book for Japanese inspired clothing. I think this book would have been much better billed for what it is and what it is good at, rather than displaying a cover and title giving the impression that it will help you make something that beautiful rather than something earthy and crafty.



3. It was too brief, too cursory, with just an overview of colors, motifs, design strategies. It was a helpful how-to for sashiko embroidery decorations, hanten and hippari (the more "folksy" traditional garments in Japan), but not helpful for instructions on how to re-line my haori. The author barely mentions adding a lining in passing, without really going into depth on how to do it, not even a "repeat steps 3-6 with lining fabric and sew on the reverse". And her section on making an "obi" was pathetic (and that's being kind) for something that resembles a heavyweight wrestler's championship belt. It's good for the beginner who is completely unfamiliar with Japanese garments, but you will soon crave more depth after reading it.

No comments about Persian Rugs and Carpets: The Fabric of Life.

1 comments about Debut: Yves Saint Laurent 1962.

1. Yves Saint Laurent wasone of the most talented fashionistas and awarded with tremendous acclaim. Now his company is directed by Tom Ford (who also designs for Gucci). This biography is true and sincere. It is very worth while

1 comments about Gruau.

1. This is definatly the best small book I purchased this year. I was truly amazed at how and what is compiled in this book. Gruau's work is perfectly exhibited. There is much more Gruau out there but I feel this is a great starter for anyone who has just discoverd this extraordinary illustrator.

No comments about Reflections on Fashion.

No comments about Bovver: My Journey Through Football, Music, Fashion and Violence.

5 comments about Vintage Purses: at Their Best, with Price Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. If I had read the reviews before I purchased this book I probably would have bought it anyway since there was only one negative review. Now there are two.
   If you need to date your vintage purse, find another book. After looking through it I find it has almost no information about the year of manufacture of any of the items.



2. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this gem of a book is a superlative example. Brimming with exquisitely beautiful photographs, each and every page is a feast for the eyes. Ms. Schwartz's inclusion of the painstaking process that goes into the creation of these delicate feminine accoutrements provides the reader with an astounding appreciation for how difficult the craft for such a practical accessory actually was. A "Must Have" for amateurs as well as serious collectors!

   I have already ordered my copy of her latest book (at press now), "Purse Masterpieces," which promises, not only gorgeous photographs, but a thoroughly investigated background for the inspirations (Art, Literature, Architecture, etc.) behind the pictured scenes.




3. I just found out Schwartz has another book on vintage purses coming out this fall, Purse Masterpieces. I am delighted that her third book will be about a subject seldom covered in such depth: vintage purses.
   I have searched everywhere for books on vintage purses. Schwartz's Vintage Purses at Their Best book not only shows hundreds of purses in color but also offers a sneak peek at the production of purses.



4. The book is absolutely beautiful, however, I would like to have read more history on the individual bags. All In all, very well done.



5. A Fabulous book containing pictures of purses unsurpassed! Sure hope she writes another one! A thousand thank yous!!!!!