No comments about Sustainable Fashion: Why Now?: A Conversation Exploring Issues, Practices, and Possibilities.

3 comments about Couture, the Great Designers.

1. I found this in the library. Totally great. It has the most beautiful fashion photography. I stood there for about half an hour just flipping through. It was written in 1985 so the 'modern' part has a bit of a retro feel, but that definitely works in the context. Some very gorgeous pictures from the thirties, fifties, etc.
   
   I will try to get my hands on this definitely! A coffee table book that I would definitely read (over&over) :)



2. Well-written review of the 20th century's great designers, discussing the evolution of style. Very similar to Fashion: The Century of the Designer by Konemann Inc., which is very much a chronological approach, rather than philosophical. Both books use many of the same photos and drawings.



3. I was lucky enough to find a 1985 ed. of this beautiful book for $10 at a book clearance store. It is my favorite fashion reference book and I would find it a deal at $65. It is divided into 7 different catagories (ie. The Founders, The Purists, The Entertainers etc.) and covers 61 designers from Worth to Armani. It is full of wonderful B&W and color photographs of models and movie stars wearing designer masterpieces.I would like to see the updated version- does it cover other designers like Mizrahi,Sander,Versace etc. That would be a welcome addition. I will enjoy my book regardless... Have fun reading the bios and looking at the beautiful clothes!!

No comments about Fashion Plates: 1950-1970 (Schiffer Design Book).

1 comments about Jane Austen Fashion : Fashion and Needlework in the Works of Jane Austen.

1. This is a lovely little book with numerous color pictures, mostly fashion plates, and decorative chapter headings. The title of the chapter is in red, there is an orange decoration, and then the first letter is enlarged and printed in blue, a very pretty effect. Further, the author, Penelope Byrde, is curator at the fabulous Bath Museum of Costume and an established expert in the field. If one is looking for a good introduction to the era's costumes, especially one that is visually pleasing as well as informative, this is a great choice. I would consider it as particularly suited as a gift to someone just learning about the era.
   
   The discussions are tied into Jane Austen's life and works, with extensive quotations of her novels, letters, and family accounts. These are carefully annotated. The bibliiography deals with sources about Austen, rather than further costume references.
   
   I suppose that this does offer a great deal for people who are truly knowledgeable about the subject, but for those of us who know a bit, but not a lot, it is still useful. It seems that I always learn a bit more than I knew. The pictures alone may make one want the book, even if one does have other sources, and one does have the assurance that Byrde is authoritative.
   
   I am left with one question: is the very different silhouette shown in Niklaus von de Heideloff's plates (late 18th to very early 19th century) entirely due to changes in fashion (i.e., the narrowing of skirts, or did he just like to draw women with more abundant figures?

No comments about Surface Design for Fabric.

1 comments about Principles of Flat Pattern Design.

1. This book is really nice, very informative, laid-out well and its information is very clear and fairly easy to follow. While it's a textbook, and therefore its primary audience is students of design, a skilled sewer will find this book to be very helpful nontheless. It's definitely for the beginner pattern-maker, and that's why it's successful not only as a text book but as a simple instruction book as well.

   It outlines a brief (i.e. a few paragraphs) history of pattern making. Then it outlines all the tools (oak tag, pattern paper, french curves, hip curves etc.) of pattern making and how those tools are used. Next the book discusses darts, gathers and other ways to fit and add fullness to garments. After these introductions to pattern-making and fitting, MacDonald addresses the basics of EVERY TYPE of garment you will ever want to make! Seriously.

   She addresses bodices, variations on bodices, darting for different figures, and then goes on to sleeves (variations on sleeves include cowl, raglan, kimono, lantern, leg o mutton and more!). She addresses variations and fitting techniques for the following: bodices, sleeves, necklines, pants, shorts, skirts (every skirt you've ever heard of and some you haven't!), tunics and dresses, collars, cuffs and closures!

   While some of the techniques are a little outdated fashion-wise, (lantern sleeves and sweet-heart necklines - yuck!) the important thing is that it teaches you how to make EVERYTHING which is great experience nonetheless. And once you're familiar with pattern making for the various pieces - you can use what you've learned to make EXACTLY what you want!

   This is, in short, a very thorough and clear book.

No comments about American Style.

No comments about Glamour: A History.

5 comments about The Beauty of Fetish.

1. For those uncertain or unfamiliar with such subject matter, I offer this: "This is a book of beautiful photographs of beautiful women in exotic and strange attire."

   For everyone else, I need not preach to the choir. You know what to expect from Goedde and he delivers. This is a classy and well designed book containing beautiful erotic imagery.

   An excellent first book for anyone new to such things, whether interested in the lifestyle or simply because the clothing is lovely and evocative.




2. Goedde does not attemt to be a "fetish photographer." He is simply a good photographer who occationally shoots photos that can be considered "fetish." These pictures are full of atmosphere and life, and will draw you in if you let them. Do not be fooled by the title, but be pleasantly surprised by the beauty within.



3. the beauty of fetish is a colorful fixation on the female form. each picture captures a private moment of sexual individuality, the charms of 6 inch heels, the caress of warm latex, the cinch of a corset. you will not find grim bondage shots, or overly propped scenes. this is an artistic view upon heavenly creatures, forever captured for erotic history. if you like erotica, punk rock, and gorgeous girls, this book is for you.



4. My favorite photography book of all time! When I first picked up "The Beauty of Fetish" two years ago, I admit I was somewhat disappointed. With erotic photography, I always expect the obvious. And when I didn't get the obvious right away, I dismissed the work despite it's high photography standards.

   But then, images from the book kept popping up in my mind as if recalling vague moments from a dream. I went back and got my copy off of my shelf, and at that point "I got it!" I was completely floored by what I saw. I felt an amazing closeness to the photographs as if they were photographs of real people from my life. The models in Goedde's work are not mere mannequins for the sake of wearing fetish gear. They are real people and their personalities show through. In addition to that, the photography has a simple honest quality which makes the work even more erotic and real. These models are accessible, not like the standard strike-a-pose, cookie-cutter models you see in most fashion books.

   Goedde is a master of blinding subtlety. His images will stick in my consciousness for years to come. He's a deserving successor to Helmut Newton without a doubt.




5. The cover of the book is far more powerful than the actual content, which is rather tame and evasive. Steve Diet Goedde manages to drag down Fetish to a mundane, almost evasive level. Some images are interesting, and the overall presentation good, but the models appear like unhappy housewives or spinsters. They allude to loneliness and boredom rather than mystery and excitement. I simply expected more from this book, especially after reading the "all-praising" reviews. A few pictures are skillfully composed, but the overall effect comes well short of indulging the reader in the fascinating world of Fetish.

No comments about The World of Fashion Merchandising.