5 comments about Posing Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios.

1. It's a very interesting book, a "must have" for beginners and intermediate. After reading this book, you can better understand models shot from others photographers and you can also make better models photo.



2. Unlike most books on modeling and model photography, this book has more than just a bunch of pictures of pretty women. The author takes the time to explain posing concepts like creating an 's curve' in the positioning of the body. Great detail is given to graceful hand posing. It is the little things that differentiate between a good photograph and a great one.
   
   This is well written and well illustrated. Definetly worth the money



3. Excellent book, it actually focuses on posing techniques instead of doing the same old routine of going through the basic studio stuff, as lots of other books do. Very detailed talks about posing hands and such.
   A good one to read.



4. The entry-level is not beginners for this one. Can't be, to shoot a professional portfolio you must have a handsome bit of knowledge already. Having that, this books has still more to offer ! Billy Pegram leads you on the way to gradually improve you pictures. There is very much attention to details that are easily overlooked otherwise, like hands and feet positioning, or where to crop and why. It shows you the possibilities for shooting a portfolio that contains commercial, fashion, editorial etc. pictures, and what sets them apart. With a host of examples, Billy shows that apparently small changes can make quite a difference. It covers more than shooting for portfolio's, for this is info that you can use time and time again for all kinds of photographic activities that have to do with portraying people or making a statement using a model. Being a professional photographer I can only say: everyone can learn something here. Lots of images are a joy to see !



5. Posing Techniques by Billy Pegram is a very useful book, particularly for someone starting in the field of model photography. It is well illustrated with large pictures showing how (and occasionally, how not) to pose the model. All of the sections provide good tips. I found the section on hand positioning particularly helpful. The book leans more toward fashion shots than glamour and has some useful words on how to produce a port that contains what the model needs (rather than what you like).
   
   Recommended for study.
   
   rps

5 comments about Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style (Tim Gunn's Guide to Style).

1. I was lucky enought to attend a party hosted by Tim Gunn and Nathaniel Hawkins at the Tribeca Grand on March 5th. My sister won this by responding to a TRESemme on-line ad. Oh my goodness, what a night and what true hosts Tim and Nathaniel were. Not only were we treated liked guests, more important we felt "like royalty". Hats off to these people who hosted a party that made "all" feel welcome. Here is to all those who made my and my sister's journey to New York and to SOHO and to PROJECT RUNWAY so special. I love my pictures and I look at my scrapbook with wonderful memories. Tim is all he appears and more...



2. This book could've been written by your high-class but out-of-touch grandmother living in a penthouse in New York. The sections on self-presentation were moderately helpful but vague (sit up straight! good skin is good!), but when it came to actual fashion tips, there were none. Kendall Farr's The Pocket Stylist, while somewhat flawed, is far more informative.



3. I love Tim Gunn and think he is style personified. I purchased this book thinking that it would include his philosophy and advice for developing such style; however, for the most part the book is directed toward only true fashionistas. I don't know half of the people he refers to and the other half that I do recognize really have very little to do with my sense of style development. Mr. Gunn's book is witty and well written but simply not what I was hoping it would be. Again, if you are merely a casual observer of fashion, this book is NOT for you.



4. I think everyone should buy this book. It is a wonderful how to book without talking down or making you feel like a total fatso! I love Tim Gunn's wit and wisdom. What you see on Project Runway and his own TV show - is exactly what you get in the book. I read it in a week and I have 2 kids under 3! I would love to have seen Tim's SAT scores! You do have to read the book with a dictionary close by.



5. I was suprised at the lack of pics or illustrations but the content was great. I learned a lot about posture and what to look for in clothes.

5 comments about The Fashion Designer Survival Guide: An Insider's Look at Starting and Running Your Own Fashion Business.

1. This is a great book for those interesting in the fashion business. I am not a designer, but I am a marketing consultant to several fashion designers. This book has helped me, help my clients.



2. This is an excellent tutorial IF you already have a basic background in the fashion industry, otherwise, you might not understand certain information predicated on the assumption of a knowledge base.
   
   I would most certainly recommend it for anyone thinking of starting their own business in the fashion industry. It will skillfully guide you through the land mines of the fashion landscape and prevent you from getting a leg blown off!
   
   Clear, concise and thorough. Lots of 'white space' on every page prevents the reader from being overwhelmed and sublimimally infers that starting your own business IS simple enough that you absolutely can succeed!
   
   Just do your due diligence with Mary. Good luck!



3. I am not a fashion designer, but when I bought this book, I was starting my own fashion business and this book was exactly what I needed to help me along. For someone just starting out in the fashion business, this book explains everything you need to know from what kind of company to set up, setting up a business plans and legal issues to production and PR. This is a great, well rounded guide that is easily set up so it is very easy to understand and read. This is a must have for anyone who wants to get into the business of fashion



4. I wish I had bought this book before I started my company.
   I learned allot of things the hard way and if I had, had this book I may have been a little more successful a little sooner.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone starting out in the ''business" or even have been in business for a while. A great read!



5. If you are looking for a detailed book on how to start a fashion business, this is NOT it. It's a good start though, the author offers a good general overview of the business in an interesting, readable style. I recommend this to those who are just thinking of starting a fashion business, on your "idea stage" or if you just want extra information about the industry. You won't be wasting your money.

5 comments about Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion.

1. A good book that talks about dressing and differenct color combinations, dressing based on your individual bodyd/face shape with illustrations.



2. Alan Flusser's DRESSING THE MAN is the one book you must have if you want to dress professionally, and if you desire to know the history of proper male adornment in the twentieth century. Interestingly written, information-rich, and chock-full of wonderful photographs of well-dressed men, this tome is a volume to which you will return again and again. Flusser pays careful attention to skin and hair color and how they affect a man's appearance in tailored garments, and he thoroughly discusses garment style and detailing. Interesting chapters on shirts, ties, shoes, and accessories round out this informative and visually appealing volume. DRESSING THE MAN is an appropriate book for both the novice dresser and the mature elegante.



3. For a fashionably-clumsy man like myself, this book has enabled me to take a step forward and look sort of like the consultant that I am (or at least portray myself to be).
   
   The book is elegantly photographed with men of elegant dress, including classic actors such as Gary Cooper, Fred Astaire and the poster-child for perfect dress, Cary Grant. You'll also see princes and dukes dressing to keep the proper air, and see old men (Signor Barbera and Ralph Lauren) maintaining their distinguished appearances as they grey by dressing well.
   
   But this isn't merely a picture book, although any book on dressing well must lead with pictures. It contains a chapter on everything - shoes, ties, the suit, shirts, socks, business casual (13 in all, and each on a narrow subject). Matching color to your complexion, eyes and hair is a subject that many men struggle with, and he has a chapter dedicated to that.
   
   This is a formal and classic book - not one for the passing trends, although business casual is covered.
   
   Anyone who needs to be in a situation where they need to be well-dressed - businessmen for key meetings, gentlemen at weddings and perhaps most especially, job interviewers, should keep a copy of this book on their dresser.



4. A book that does an excellent job of not only explaining classic men's style, but also gives numerous pictorial examples and explains the historical basis behind the rules. This is a must-have for men who are interested in improving their style or simply to keep as inspiration for those who like to look good. While it may not turn you into George Clooney or Cary Grant, this book will certainly help its readers to project a sophisticated, professional image.



5. Replete with photographs of many famous actors wearing the garments, textures, colors, or combos under discussion, this book lays out rather systematically not a theory but an attitude and way of seeing clothing.
   
   I saw it by accident in a library, opened it up and decided to check it out. The scales of sloppiness and pride in "schlumpitude" fell from mine eyes as I read it cover to cover.
   
   One of Flusser's strengths is his ability to communicate his vision without dictating exactly what you should wear. He claims that his attitude can apply to all styles of dress, though he clearly favors conservative styles. In the end, I do believe him in his claim to ultimate neutrality.
   
   When a windfall came my way, I decided that I was going to spend $36.00 of it on this book, and I am glad I did.
   
   It is a great book, probably destined to be a classic. I dress differently and much better than I used to, all by free choice. That's the genius of the book.
   
   The end.

5 comments about Tony Duquette.

1. This is a wonderful book and with Amazon's amazingly inexpensive price, you really can't pass this one up. Tony Duquette was a master of style with an incredible eye, and a creative genius. HIGHLY recommended.



2. Tony DuquetteI am an interior designer of some 20 years and while I found this book interesting it had very little to do with interiors and more to do with a very specific, unique and strange lifestyle. I'm sure the man was brilliant just know this book is not about liveable interiors.



3. Having lived in Los Angeles since 1981 and working as an art editor for a regional magazine, the name Tony Duquette came up time and again in my social circles. Without question, he was an amazing talent the likes of which we may never see again in our lifetime. His imagination and passion for his unworldly, surrealist visions are captured in this brilliantly orchestrated book. Bravo and brava to the authors! A must-have for everyone's art library!



4. I met Tony and his wife in Ireland - we were staying at Heney McIlhennys castle - he was terrible charming - I did not know of his career and am so sorry I didn't question him til he was exhausted.
   
   karen marcus



5. This is a visually beautiful book that surveys the creative life of Tony Duquette, an artist best-know for his stage sets (Kismet, etc.)and high fashion jewelry. Less well known are his amazing home interior and garden designs, as well as his free-wheeling sculptures, many of them made from recycled and re-imagined objects. The photography is of the highest quality - most of it, I suspect, archival from fashion magazines over the decades.

5 comments about That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything in Between.

1. I bought this on a whim to read something girly while my boyfriend was out of town. I love fashion books and thought this would have some useful and fun little tidbits. Not exactly, but not a total waste either.
   
   Victoria Beckham believes her own hype so deeply that it's almost impossible to take her seriously. When the book is not crammed with glam shots of her -- where it's often impossible to see what she's wearing, even though this is a style book -- it is filled with self-promotion in other ways. Every other page of the jeans section is her selling her own jeans line, when she recommends fragrances there's a giant picture of "Intimately Beckham" luring us in. A stupid move, as both of these lines aren't succeeding, and the book seems dated as soon as it's published. Better -- and much classier -- to acknowledge that you have your own lines in a small section, then focus on fashion and style overall. It would also be better if she had used other models to show examples of her style and fashion tips -- maybe a "posh makeover" or something. But this is not that book -- instead, the focus is suffocatingly on her, so much though that it's pretty funny at times. "Oh look at her again! Another pouty face! Long haired victoria! Short haired victoria!"
   
   I think my favorite moment of unintentional hilarity is when victoria pleads with women not to wear bras with padding under tanks or t-shirts. Presumably one should have fake ones put in instead and have them pushed up the way victoria does? And the recommendation never to wear shorts with sneakers is ridiculous when there are fabulous little sneaks out there by John Varvatos for converse. The recommendation for high heels is, in general, myopic. There's nothing the world needs less than tiny women teetering on the edge of stilettos.
   
   She has had an extraordinary career, even though underneath all of the styling she is a pretty ordinary looking person. When you look at her underneath all of the clothes and style she has really cultivated an image for herself -- perhaps her talent is self-invention. She is rigorous about every aspect of her appearance before she leaves the house -- something I wish was true of me.
   
   I will also say that this book is going to be very useful on an upcoming trip to the UK, in terms of navigating high street brands for a little budget shopping.
   
   So i'd say get it if you really like her, or if you have her exact body type and can copy styles directly, or if it's cheap, or if you care about the difference between H and M vs topshop in terms of sunglasses.



2. I personally have no special feelings toward Mrs. Beckham herself, although I admire her husband's originality in his style. I find her book to be a collection of fashion tips and advises, and with a lot of pictures the book is not boring at all. The book has nothing short of all other good style books out there, it cover so many subjects. I think she is a very stylish woman, and she has a good taste ( look who she picked as her partner :) )she only needs to smile a little bit, being too serious is boring but definitely not her book.



3. You may or may not like Victoria, but she provides a great perspective of fashion and beauty in this book. Read the book and let it inspire your own fashion style. I loved this book. Worth reading.



4. I have to say on the outset that I really, really wished that this was a wonderful book. I am not the sort of person who shells out my hard earned dollars on a book that is just mediocre.
   
   But the sad truth is this book is worse than just mediocre, it is a total rip off of all the best fashion tip bibles around (and I should know, given that I collect fashion books - there was not one piece of fashion advice included within this book by Posh Spice that I had not read elsewhere before and my honest recommendation is that you purchase instead the bible "The Pocket Stylist by Kendall Farr", which is simply THE BEST).
   
   I do not know why but honestly thought there was a chance Posh Spice could be nice but reading this book has only proven to me that she is the fakest, most shallow and detached from reality person around. For Gods sake, she WEARS FAKE TOENAILS, SHE'S WORN HAIR EXTENSIONS, SHE SAYS SHE REFUSES TO GO ON A TREADMILL BECAUSE SHE CANT IMAGINE WEARING JOGGERS YET REFUSES TO TAKE OFF HER REQUISITE HIGH HEELS (this made me wonder, is she really that short? Only a very short person could be that obsessed with heels...)
   
   Buying this book was like purchasing a book from the fake desperate gold digger Imelda Marcos - it left me feeling shocked, embarrassed and disgusted (at myself) all at the same that I could purchase something written by someone so fake and contrived. (Was I too fake and contrived? Is that why she appealed to me?)
   
   Honestly her best asset is her super hot husband David Beckham and if he left her the worlds eyes would be on the next young sexy thing he chose to be with and the world would finally see how cheap Posh looks in comparison.
   
   I am now torn between keeping this book so as to remind me of the fake person I hope I NEVER, EVER become or selling it on e-bay in order to recoup some of my dignity and respect. I think I might go for the latter and put it towards the purchase of the classic and very expensive photo book of Kate Moss who is the true style queen.
   
   Honestly compare the two ladies Kate and Posh and it will be quite evident who is real guru of fashion:
   
   Kate always looks relaxed and that in itself is beautiful and highly stylish. It also looks as though it took minimal effort, as though she could join in an impromptu game of soccer in the park or have a good rough and tumble with the kids. She is simple, effortlessly stylish and best of all NATURAL. So why not steal her style tips instead?
   
   Whereas Posh, gosh what can I say other than to me now she looks (and the book confirms her to be) truly contrived, like an insecure teenager trying so hard to fit in, but who at night cries herself to sleep because it is all such hard work and the mask that she was hiding behind she can no longer take off because it has become her life.
   
   I didn't want Posh to be such a try-hard but that is what the book confirmed her to be...and unfortunately nauseatingly so



5. It differs from the Hardcover slightly but that is my only complaint,but the new photos are fabulous

5 comments about Paper Fashions: Design Your Own Styles (Klutz).

1. We bought this for our 10 year old granddaughter and she was delighted with the kit. It's simple to use, everything is included and it gave hours of fashion fun for a young girl. These kits as a whole are very appealing to preteen girls.



2. My 6 year old LOVED this book. it is a great value for the money. the book comes with ideas for uses of the fashion cutouts (making cards, gift bags, paper dolls, etc.) and the outfits themselves are made by tracing stencils onto the patterned paper and then cutting them out and adding "buttons" (beads) or "belts" (ribbon) and various notions and trims. the stencils are sturdy and can be used over and over again.
   
   even when you run out of the supplies included (paper, glue, sequins, ribbons, beads, etc.) they are easy and inexpensive enough to buy from a craft/scrapbooking store. so unlike some of the books like this, it's not useless when you run out of the supplied components.
   
   i've also given my daughter scrap material (like quilting squares you can buy for cheap) and she can make these with real fabrics, which adds an extra touch of fun for making cards and things. it's a fun project for her to take on playdates, everyone seems to enjoy it.



3. Fashion ROCKS! And so does this incredible toy masquerading as a book-it's FABULOUS, darling! For all budding fashion designers, stylists or anyone curious about the fashion world, this book is definitely for you-BUY IT!! And if you're wondering if you should get the sequel, Paper Fashions Fancy along with it, YES-please do-you won't regret it! The first one is 'to infinity', the second is 'and beyond!!'-it's even better!!
   
   That was my short review. If you need more encouragement and/or details, read on, dear reader!
   So, I've had this for like a week now, on the first day, I played with it since breakfast-unable to tear myself away from it, and trust me-it only gets better the more time I spend on it-I could do this for a living!! The novelty never wears off because the possiblities are endless!
   
   Okay, so, the book;
   *has quotes from famous designers peppered throughout
   *it's colorful, beautiful and easy to understand
   *it tells you what comes with the book, what you also need (scissors and pencil), and what you might also want
   *has 3 pages of plastic stencils (it's a soft plastic, so no sharp edges) and it tells you exactly how to use them
   *there are tips for cutting, making the best use of paper, gluing and embellishing instructions
   *there are hints about using color and patterns and ideas for design notebooks, greeting cards and other ways you might want to display your finished creations
   *you never have to worry about running out of paper because you can use just about anything!-paper bags, tin foil, muffin cups, tissue paper, white paper that you've rubber stamped, used magazines and catalogs, and of course art & craft stores have an abundance of scrapbook/origami paper and thingies! You could also borrow real fabric and photocopy or scan and print it! Phew! AND if you type in Paper Fashions, you'll see that one of the products is a pack of Extra Stuff'-so you're golden!
   *with the book, you already get a sheaf of pretty printed and plain papers and even a sheet of vellum for that sheer look! You're spoilt for choice!
   *and you get a cute little tube of school glue, 3 packs of beads and sequins-in warm colors, cool colors, and gold and silver (and in resealable baggies no less!) and you also get 3 bundles of ribbon and and 2 cord trims (phew! that's a lot, huh!) and don't forget-20 cute little wire hangers!
   
   Technical stuff: it's labeled suitable for ages 8 & up (if you're a very responsible and mature under 8 though, you would have to Double Super-Dooper Promise your designated adult shopper that you won't put any of the thingies in your mouth, because choking, not a good look people!)
   Also, although it's aimed at girls, I'd just like to say Valentino, Isaac Mizrahi, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Narciso Rodriguez, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen-and Dolce & Gabana; just a handful of world famous men who design womenswear! I'm just saying, a little more open-mindedness makes the world a more balanced and happier place-follow your dreams people! (That would be my Carson Kressley impression-also a totally poppin' style guru!)
   
   Final words, grown ups-if this appeals to you-go ahead and get one for yourself! Why should kids have all the fun?! I'm 30 something, I got this for me (and yesterday I ordered the sequel too!) and I LOVE IT!!!
   Okay, I'm done!



4. I tell myself I bought this book for my daughter, but I really bought it for me! I am in love with the little hangers! We have enjoyed this book together, and spent HOURS designing wardrobes for ourselves! I recently framed a page of COURTNEY'S FASHIONS (including her prices) for my studio, and will cherish this one-of-a-kind artwork forever! Courtney has even dug into my paper stash for more "designs," although the book comes with a marvelous assortment of paper! We LOVE the clothing stencils... they will last for years. (I can see Courtney using this in clothing/textile classes when she is in high school and college!)
   BEST KLUTZ book ever!



5. Bought these for my nieces. They love it. They are very creative and this book enables them to create all types of outfits and dresses.Great product.

5 comments about The Art of Manipulating Fabric.

1. I am a novice sewer but have a very nice sewing machine. This book and the images just blow me away. If I cannot "get" these techniques I am going to try my best to get close for my art pieces. No, I do not make clothing, but these techniques are art in themselves. Love this book.



2. I'm new to sewing and looking for the best books to build on. I've never seen anything like this. It gives pictures of each technique and has so many techniques you would be numb not to be creatively inspired. Who would think that manipulating a flat object into a projecting one could be done in so many variations with so many different possible effects? This book is a must have.



3. This is quite an old-fashioned style of book. No glossy photos or eye candy, lots of detailed line drawings and a wide range of techniques. As such, it takes a bit more time to get into than most of the quilt books I own. However, its strong point is that you can see from the diagrams what you need to do for a range of pleats, gathers, folds and other textured surfaces. You do also need to read the accompanying text, and the layout makes that a challenge at times, searching back through dense paragraphs for the correct link to the drawing.
   
   I will use it as a reference book. It is pretty comprehensive. What would make it more user-friendly would be firstly, some nice gallery pictures of quilts or garments using those techniques, and secondly, a simpler page layout and typeface.



4. I ordered this book based on the customer reviews, and i'm not disappointed.
   
   Although the book seems slightly more geared towards quilting / decorative arts etc, there is still a wealth of information and techniques that are relevant to me (i'm a costumier).
   
   I can see this book being a valuable reference for many different projects. I'm very happy with this purchase.



5. If you are a "fabric-junky" and always look out for new techniques and methods to make your next sewing project even more special, this is a book you'll love! The book contains a lot of great pictures of many different types of fabric-manipulation to inspire you and good and detailed descriptions of "how to do it yourself". The different types of manipulation include gathering, ruffles, flounces, smocking, tucking, pleating, cording and many more.

5 comments about Dressing Nifty After Fifty.

1. Really very basic information if you do not have a clue about fashion, and need to start from square one! If you have some knowledge it gets pretty boring pretty quickly! Charla Krups book is much better.



2. I needed help & got it from this book. This book makes so much sense to me. It's a great way to weed out all the extra stuff that never gets used in my closet. Which saves me time getting ready for work in the AM. I reccomend this book to any woman who would like to save time & money and look good doing it.



3. This book provides advice for women with limited fashion knowledge or confidence and thus covers some basics adequately. The author also takes a very conservative approach and one which acknowledges that we can dress smartly by spending wisely. However, there are better books available, such as How Not to Look Old that provide advice on how to look fashionable and still be age appropriate. I found that book much more helpful and informative.



4. This book is such a waste of time and money. It is mostly regurgitated information that can be found in any slick magazine that is at least 10 years old. The lack of illustrations, pictures, etc. made the visuals even more difficult. I cannot remember being more disappointed in a purchase. I did not learn one new thing from this book.



5. This book should have been titled, Simplify your Wardrobe.
   While there were some interesting ideas in this book, such as, by fifty there should be no "cute" in your wardrobe, only chic and sophisticated; the bulk of this book was aimed at making your life easier by going with only 3 main colors in your closet.
   The author, a retired attorney, seems to be speaking only to a business professional (and especially in a conservative profession), and not to the entire wardrobe needed.
   There were however some good exercises in listing activities for a two-week period to get one thinking about all the different outfits needed during that time.
   I would have preferred more direction in how to determine what no longer works for me due to changing body shape and skin tones, how to pick the right clothes, etc.
   The cover was the best part! Loved it.

5 comments about Couture Sewing Techniques.

1. I found this book to be of the utmost interest to people who sew. It offers valuable fashion history and methods used in couture sewing. It catlogs important dates that changed fashion and it offers random pictures of various sewing styles. My only disappointment was that the pictures are limited in number. I would like to have seen more visuals of the methods described and up close details of the ballgowns, in particular. This book makes you realize what an art form sewing can be.It gave me a sense of aestic beauty and appreciation for the talent that brings the fabric to life.



2. Gives an interesting history in couture sewing, but most of all, shares tips and techniques that will make your average sewn-at-home garment look tailor made. Why re-invent the wheel? Learn from the experts!!!



3. The techniques it describes are a little beyond my reach, but that's just because I don't have the experience/skills yet, not because I can't understand what the author is saying. This is a remarkably well-written and thorough book.



4. This book is good for people that want to learn the art of couture hand sewing. I was a bit disappointed that there were not more tips about couture garment construction, especially fitting, and how to create a beautiful garment by ensuring a proper fit. It was all in all very informative, but a few techniques were very common methods that are mentioned in many other basic sewing books. I would recommend this book to home sewers transitioning from machine sewing to couture hand sewing.



5. This book is not exactly what I expected, but in a good way. There is alot of history of couture sewing and interesting tidbits of knowledge from the author's travels. The directions are easily read. It should greatly improve the quality of my sewing.