No comments about Clothes of the Medieval World.

No comments about Clothing the Spanish Empire: Families and the Calico Trade in the Early Modern Atlantic World (The Americas in the Early Modern Atlantic World).

5 comments about Obsessed by Dress.

1. What a delicious selection of quotes about fashion! This book would really help me explain to people why I am obsessed with getting all dressed up in costumes, outfits and accessories. The gorgeous illustrations add to the charming cuteness of the book. These quotes show that there is real meaning and philosophy behind fashion and it's form of self-expression. Clothes and appearance really do make a difference!
   An essential book for fashionistas. I shall cherish this book forever!



2. Toby Tobias' adorable book takes the questioning element out of my daily clothing puzzle. This morning, Edith Sitwell told me to 'be myself'! The in-put from great minds of the past is a radiant rainbow of fun, humor, delight and wit. Ballerina@Large.Dash-Dot



3. Tobi Tobias' new book, Obsessed by Dress, brings delight far beyond the sensual pleasure of holding a book that is exactly the right hand heft for the object itself. It corroborates ones joy of personal adornment through quotes from those who have the wit and style through the ages to say what you have been thinking and feeling all along about why have arrived a this particular persona. You become marvelous in your own eyes.



4. One doesn't have to be a clothing aficionado to have a rewarding time with Tobi Tobias's "Obsessed By Dress." A small-size book with a biggness of content, "Obsessed" is alive with famous-person clothing quotes, meticulously researched by Tobias, reflecting her passion for Dress and great writing. Dickens, Proust, Virgil, Keats, Dior, Dorothy Parker, and RuPaul are among those quoted.



5. This is a lovely book, full of wit and surprises. It's obvious that Tobias has chosen quotes from books with which she is familiar, rather than compiling a hodgepodge of witty bon mots, selected at random. The bonus, in addition to making one think about fashion and its place in civilization, is reminders of books one has read, or wants to read, or should.

   Armed with a few quotes from this book and a little black dress, one could conquer any cocktail party in fine style!

No comments about Naughty Victorians & Edwardians: Early Images Of Bathing Beauties.

3 comments about Christian Dior: The Early Years 1947-1957.

1. Christian Dior: The Early Years provides the inside story at the House of Dior, from its introduction of the 'New Look' to 1957, upon Dior's sudden death. When Christian Dior presented his first collection, the young designer presented clothing which featured narrow waists and beautiful evening dresses: a new look for the fashion world of the mid1940s. He drew each dress himself and his designs would change the fashion world of his times. The oversized presentation of this volume allows for fullpage displays of his works accompanying a biography of his life and achievements.



2. Born in a small village in Normandy, Christian Dior did not hesitate to disobey a parental injunction to undertake a "serious occupation." He knew what he wanted and fled to Paris where he became a designer at Robert Piguet.

   The City of Lights was gray in 1946; there had been the war, German occupation, and rationing. But, luck was with Dior. He met the country's richest and most powerful industrialist, Marcel Boussac, who offered to back the young designer. Space became available at 28-30 Avenue Montaigne, an address well known to fashion aficionados today.
   
   In 1947 Dior introduced his first collection, and the world was ready for his innovative return to the feminine figure with narrow waists, long skirts, and an attractive bustline. The rest, as they say, is history.

   All interested in the world of fashion will delight in this detailed history of the workings of Dior's fashion house, and the remarkable people who worked for him in developing a boutique and perfume which would enjoy worldwide acclaim. Also included are stories of his famous clients, such as Marlene Dietrich, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, Ingrid Bergman, and the Duchess of Windsor.

   Enriched with some 100 illustrations this keepsake volume concludes with "Monsieur Dior's Fashion Vocabulary" and a timeline noting events after Dior's death in 1957 to the present day.

   - Gail Cooke




3. Christian Dior: The Early Years 1947-1957 by Esmeralda de Rethy (daughter of Princess Liliane of Belgium who was one of Christian Dior's very first clients) and fashion historian Jean-Louis Perreau is an incredible, superbly illustrated and informative coffee table book providing a vivid fashion record perfectly capturing the founding of an empire of style in the post-World War II decade. Full-page photographs, some color, some black and white, many nearly half a century old, adorn the pages along with Dior's original sketches and commentary. The text traces the travails, efforts, and world-class achievements in clothing, style, and love of life in this high society treasury. Christian Dior is very highly recommended reading for students of 20th Century fashion history in general, and the influential contributions of Christian Dior in particular.

1 comments about Colorotic (Compact Books Photo).

1. I picked this item up purely out of interest to see what Karkau had done. My reason for a rating of only 3 stars is based on the content relative to the other works I have in my library (Newton, Mapplethorpe, Bisang, May, etc.). What Karkau has done is present the erotic without slipping into the pornographic. He does it well. However, comparing his work to Peter Gorman or Marc Baptiste, I find a lot of the poses obviously contrived. The key word here is "obviously". These seemed to conflict with the raw aspect of the photos themselves. It presents as a conflict between glamour and casual nude photography. Perhaps this is what was intended. A sort of shooting for Diesel at home. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. A buy if you are an FHM or Maxxim fan.

2 comments about Make Fashion Magic.

1. We found this book at the library and it so impressed us that we've actually started having Shell competitions at work. The book is so full of inspiring ideas and easy-to-use techniques. And the children's clothing ideas...

   Shell is a role model for us here at work and we all strive to incorporate her ideas of clothing conservation and decoration. In fact, we LIVE by Shell's rules of life and have constructed a shrine (recycled, of course!) in her honor.




2. If you are frustrated by living in a world of "cookie cutter" fashions, that do not offer even a hint of feminity, then Shell Kepler's "MAKE FASHION MAGIC", is the exact book you should purchase. Shell's down to earth and simplistic approach in showing you how to embellish either your current clothing or great second-hand finds, will leave you screaming for more. All women have a deep desire to feel feminine and sexy and unfortunatley many of todays fashions leave that important part out. And many times when you do find clothing with her type of style, the price tag equals the national debt! Purchase Shell's book and see how she turns an ordinary white tuxedo jacket and a daring bustier into the most romantic and sensual set of clothing you will ever own...Be daring, be sexy and find the passion inside you with Shell's clothing ideas. No more boring T-Shirts and plain old jeans after you purchase this book!

No comments about The Autobiography.

4 comments about Couples.

1. Ellen Von Unwerth is by far my favorite photographer! I haven't the foggiest idea of how a picture is taken, but I can appreciate a good photograph when I see one. The person who said, "a picture is worth a thousand words" must have thought up all one thousand of them in that instant, thus spontaneous inspiration! Ellen is SPONTANEOUS! I fell as though she takes pictures to make you wonder, marvel and enjoy the world around you, taking you away with a simple click!

   Ellen is also unpredictable, as you turn the pages to this book you will see why! Although there is no denying her style, she manages to portray a variety of situations, there is no monotony or constant theme and her subjects are unpredictable in a wide variety of settings, these photographs are proof of her widespread intellect. I was actually expecting to see pictures of couples in a conventional way, but Unwerth managed to convince me that there are other types of pairs!

   It is a witty, playful, and yes even inspiring book! Not to be taken too seriously, but to be enjoyed and digested like one would fine ice cream!

   I could not leave out the always intelligent and wonderful introduction by Ingrid Sischy... That woman is a GENIUS!!




2. Fantastic... well worth the dosh. While it seems a few narrow-minded sorts will muse over grain, focus and the apparent 'cheapness' of her camera, Ellen injects life, soul, sexiness and humour into her images. The fun, intimate feel is only increased further by her supposedly rough focus and grain. For those who can appreciate a photo that isn't of a clean-skinned model against a plain black or white backdrop, Von Unwerth is an artist without equal.



3. From this book, it seems that Ellen Von Unwerth has found a way to avoid the necessity to be creative or to develop technical skills. Perhaps it was thought that enough people could be fooled into thinking that since they are different they must be examples of sheer creative genius. The only problem is that she is not the only photographer who appears to be taking this shortcut to "masterpieces." A quick study of this book, and you too can learn how to take snapshots and play them off as sheer genius. ... Hmmm Let's see, how bout the random idea of a supermodel standing nude, except she's wearing army boots, and holding a half eaten corn cob in one hand and a light bulb in the other, all photographed with a disposable camera in the absolute worst possible lighting situation. No that's not in the book, but that's the type of image you'll find in it. Oh, and by the way, don't buy this book if you just want to see such naked super models, because there are better books with naked supermodels in them.



4. Snaphshotty, but with a twist. These images are difficult to create, but Ellen von Unwerth makes it seem easy.These images are simple, graphic, and raw. Contrasty, grainy, out-of-focus and incredible. This is some of the best photography out there, fashion or otherwise. Buy this book to add to your collection of great photography.

No comments about 1960s Fashion Print: A Sourcebook.