No comments about The Guide to Textiles for Interiors.

5 comments about The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook.

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1YZV7MCL1M168 This book gave me the basic knowledge I needed to begin casting molds and making my own latex masks. As you can see from the video, I got my monies worth. and it wasn't even that much.
   I recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn the basics of making latex masks.



2. Reads like a magazine ad for their products,although it is a step by step procedure using their products to creat one heck of a mask.



3. I only had two qualms with this product and neither of them are really bad things at all:
   
   1) I wish ALL of the pictures were color, especially in the painting section, but that would have probably made this book prohibitively expensive.
   
   2) I didn't realise you got this book free when you made a purchase from their website (one of their mask making kits). Still it was a great read and a nice price.



4. The book does a good job of showing you how to create a single mask type, using a real sized bust(armature) and clay to create a sculpture. All of the basic steps are covered, from the initial sculpture, making a mold, to casting the final mask and using an air brush to paint the design.
   
   However, I would have liked to see the book cover different techniques for creating masks. May times, just one approach doesn't work for everything.
   
   The book is also a bit light, with 41 pages of usable information.



5. This is a great book.
   I have had this book for a while, and would not trade it for anything. For clear, detailed, step by step instructions and techniques on how to mold, cast, & paint a, latex, full head mask, this IS the book for you. A good reference for the advanced artist, and a good starting point for the beginner.(***not really for little kids making halloween masks, more for older kids, and adults interested in special effects makeup and masks) The book details all of the materials used and needed, which are avail at Monster Makers, outstanding, store.
   Arnold, and the people at Monster Makers are great, and they really know their stuff, real indusrty professionals...NO I don't work for them, its just true; I have, however, worked in the "effects" field for over 20 years.
   This is a great book and I highly recommend it.

4 comments about Jacques Helleu and Chanel.

1. Simple review: I enjoyed reading this book, even though it's mostly a visual book. Great visuals. I love the historic, but intimate read into the Helleu's family natural talent and business savvy for creativity.



2. Chanel is one of the world's most recognized brands, particularly within the luxury arena. I found this volume gorgeous from its presentation to its textual consideration of a very important brilliant individual behind-the-scenes. I highly recommend this volume.



3. I have long been a commercial photographer, and I'm yet to find a more inspiring book than this one. With the turn of every page I hear a calling to get up, grab my camera, and do something about it.
   Finally a compilation of one of the most artisticly marketed brands around.
   Bravo!



4. A must have for any collector of fashion books. great format, great layout and of course amazing pcs from the long history of this iconic company

5 comments about Wilhelmina Guide to Modeling.

1. Had the modeling industry edited this book it never would have gone to press as it is. It reveals the truth about agencies, the little ones, the big ones--and the obvious and not so obvious aspects of an industry that thrives off of young men and women with big dreams. The coverage of modeling in Italy is especially true to life. This book was used as evidence in a court case that changed the way agencies are allowed to treat models, what they are permitted to charge them for inclusion in agency books, for model cards, and even how much of a cut they are allowed to take from a model's earnings. Some agencies went under because of the secrets so innocently revealed in these pages. Lots of excellent practical advice too. Easily the best book in the business even if it is not so recent as some other books on the subject.



2. I am impressed with the amount of information this book gave. It really guides you step by step & made me realize that even though I'm short(5'2), I can still make it in beauty, print, petite & junior/teen modeling.



3. This book had no real advice. Most of it was just common sense advice any person shold know. Seemed geared for 15 year old girls only.



4. Essentially this book, with its large fonts and generous helpings of superfluous pictures, contained scant information about the modeling industry. The pages are just filled with very shallow and unsubstantiated statements such as, "Your agent will navigate your career, setting in motion a business and promotional plan geared to market fully your unique looks and talent", with no further elaboration. Take for example its chapter on "Ethinic Modeling". It glazes over the subject on how its such a promising area of the industry and tops it off with two short interviews with 2 female black models - 7 pages in all, with plenty of pictures might I add. The interviews themselves were just as disappointing with superficial statements of little substance that only glamorizes the modelling industry. Above all, the author insults the reader's intelligence by shamelessly pitching the Wilhelmina modeling agency almost every other page. In fact, the entire book's message boils down to - try to sign up with an model agency (no less the Wilhelmina) and expect a 20% commission rate. Those who have rated this book 5 stars are obviously the author or Wilhemlmina employees.



5. Like many models getting started in the business, I didn't know which way to turn. The hardest part is to qualify clients and to only work with those that will keep the image of you that you would like to promote in the market place. This book really doesn't outline this aspect of the industry. Good management is what got me a blossoming career in this business. Thanks to Digital White Boy Management, http://www.digitalwhiteboy.com , I've made it in this industry.

5 comments about Essential Fashion Illustration.

1. This is a great book for all those fashion illustration enthusiasts! Whether you are contemplating a professional career or are exercizing your creative talent, this is a great book to start with. It is well executed - the illustrations break down into phases so you can sketch with some clarity. I highly recommend this book. I was so excited when I bought it that I immediately ran out to buy sketch materials and get started right away!



2. The images in this book are unreal.
   
   If you want to learn how to draw figures which look natural and have a realistic flow with posture and movement - this is the book for you.
   
   I got it for my old girl for Xmas and she LOVES it.
   Money well spent.



3. Highly recommended! This book offers step by step instructions on drawing the figure and its proportions. If you want to learn how to draw, better yet, illustrate fashion, this is the book for you. Perfect for beginners!



4. I ordered this for my daughter. She is happy with it. It came quickly and with shipping and handling was still less than if I purchased the book at the local Barnes and Noble. So I am happy also.



5. I'm not in the slightest interested in being part of the fashion industry, but I love this book. It's the best one I've found on the market for learning to draw people. A lot of drawing books are for pencil sketchers and I was looking for ink and finished line drawing work. This book is excellent for that.

5 comments about Fashion Illustration for Designers.

1. I have purchased almost every book on fashion illustration out there, and this is still the best. It covers all media, has beautiful full color illustrations and hundreds of black and white. It also shows how to illustrate males and children of all ages.



2. I found this book the best for examples on learning to draw draped garments on the body. Although not explicitly meant for this purpose, this book divides each type of garment by chapter and gives examples for drawing them, appropriately. I find her approach realistic, and her style excellent. She definitely helped me!



3. i teach from this book and it is instrumental in creating enormous breakthroughs in students' sketching abilities. you will never tire of this book. loads of information. a must.



4. I have a lot of worthless books on fashion illustration, however, this one is not one of those. It is worth the money and then some. She is clearly a good teacher, the illustrations are great and the videos are a bonus. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed.



5. My teacher recommmended that I get this book and I absoulutely love it. Karen Hagen is a great illustrator and gives a variety of ideas of different mediums to use and how to coordinate them all together. This book is also great for those who don't quite know how to draw. There are step by step instructions and the illustrations are great!

3 comments about Tribal and Village Rugs: The Definitive Guide to Design, Pattern & Motif.

1. This book is not only attractive, but contains a wealth of knowledge about antique and modern rugs.
   
   Phyllis Pentecost



2. Absolutely stunning. Clear illustrations, clear text, beautiful layout. A stunning book that I am pleased to have added to my library.



3. Fantastic book---definitive info on all aspects of handmade rugs, including each part of the rug: border designs, major & minor motifs, origins of each of these with many attributed to multiple sources. I love to keep this book close at hand & use it frequently as a reference source for rugs & textiles from many of the countries in the Middle East, southwestern, northwestern, and central Asia, & many countries & regions that no longer exist in their original borders. This is one of the top 2-3 reference books that I use most frequently to identify the many elements in the rugs & textiles that I sell & also ones that I buy for my personal collection. It's absolutely fascinating--I just bought one of these for a friend who has a long-standing interest in the subjects covered in this book & she was THRILLED(!!!) with this book.

5 comments about Medieval Costume and How to Recreate It.

1. This book, to me, is really neat in that it actually shows you the measurements for simple costume projects.



2. It's a nice book, it covers all the areas of the medieval society... but briefly.
   It has a lot of images, and some sketched patterns, but it's of no great use if you're a newcomer to both medieval clothes and sewing techniques.
   Used together with some other books, it can come in handy.
   With goods and bads, it worths its price.



3. Medieval Costume - yes. Sorta. I guess. She doesn't give much in the way of proof for her costuming conjectures. Lots of drawings and narrative, but really no citations worth mention.
   
   How to Recreate it? Not at all. not a bit. Not even so much as a cutting diagram or a single discussion of how to cut, sew, assemble or reproduce the garments.
   
   Very disappointing.



4. Even if I am french I can use this book to realize medieval costumes. The patterns are very good and the explanations quite easy.



5. I'm of mixed feelings on this book .
   First, if you don't own a single costuming book, then get it, just for some inspiration.
   
   The best reason for anyone to get the book is the illustrations......over 200 period illustrations to use for inspiration.
   Granted, they're in black and white.......so you don't get the colors to see, but Ms Hartley often describes the colors, so that helps.
   She has provided a number of pages of detailed line-drawing illustrations to help explain/show how cloth was cut and sewn to create various outfits.
   As such, they are helpful, sometimes.
   Ditto, other times they are off the mark.
   
   Some of her interpretations are, shall I say 'creative' without adequate proof in her period sources to support her theories of construction.
   With that, I have some major problems, but if her purpose is to give a resonable facsimile for stage interpretation, then her theories are adequate.
   If her purpose was to provide accurate historical information, then she is often being misleading in regards to the needs of the serious historical re-inactor.
   i.e. she interprets the 'modesty panel' triangular insert, in a 15th c. gown as a 'vest'. Granted, she says "a small triangular vest" so maybe her idea of a vest, and mine, are merely a difference in understanding. But her perception of a Hellsgate overgown is off the mark. Because the upper portion of the winter worn ones is often covered in, or lined with, fur, she incorrectly interprets the upper portion as a totally seperate garment, calling it a 'sleeveless jacket/coat' and both her line drawings and her text clearly indicate she genuinely believed it to have been such, stating : ".........shows a sleeveless jacket which must have been comforting in drafty halls-it may be fur-lined, or only fur trimmed- but it is definately part of the jacket. The front seems to be stiffened by light strips of wood or whalebone (I have major problems with this, as it has no sound basis, at all. Stiffening elements were used, in later times, as means of support, but were not needed for this garment, which hung loosely. Her interpretation is apparently based on the stiff appearance of the panels, but this is due to the heavy weight of the (Attached)skirts holding it vertical)..... and the jacket secured to it firmly by metal studs or clasps. The whole jacket is essentially a sturdy little affair, and though in some cases it seems to have been worn as part of the robe, we believe it was always made and put on seperately."
   
   Her line drawings shows it as a simple fur-lined vest (with a normal sleeveless opening......which her period illustrations do not support, at all ) and a line drawing of one (vest) with a button-front panel down the center, which she has taken the creative measure of showing 'how' it was 'surely' attached to the edges of the front vest opening, by way of 4 buttons at the corners of the front insert, going through button holes, in the vest, barely concealed at the edges of the fur edging along the front edges. There is absolutely no historical evidence to support this theory; she had, clearly gotten it in her head, that this was a seperate jacket, and is attempting to demonstrate how the period variations might have been achieved, to support this silly idea. I need to add that in many of her other line drawings she seems to rule out the cut of the cloth pieces being a shaping factor, and, instead, resorts to the use of darts to show how to achieve a fitted look. Only in two incidences has she shown the use of gores to widen a skirt. In at least two cases (of men's garments) she has done something interesting with the cloth directly below where the cut goes into the body of the cloth, to isolate the sleeve for sewing the underarm seam. She has, instead of cutting it from the body of the garment, (to use as sleeves, etc.) left it, open and seamless, to wrap the front, back around the sides of the body, and the back panels, forward over those to create a double layer of cloth at either side of the torso, (for warmth ?) held in by the belt. I've never seen the first bit of period source to support this theory, nor does any of her period sources provided in the book, support it. She also shows an interesting theory on the cut of a laborer's shirt with high collar (under her chapter on 'Artisans' oddly enough) Cuts are made down either side of what is to be the high collar, and the cloth, to either side of the collar, is folded down over the shoulders in a manner like the side panels earlier mentioned, and stitched into place. Once again, she tucks in darts to shape with. She also elaborates on her 'padded shoulders' theories by showing two other drawings of "shoulder flaps" again, un-supported by any evidence in the form of period illuminations, etc.
   
   Dispite all of this, believe it, or not, but I Still LIKE the book !!!
   It's well worth the money in period pictures, if for no other reason.
   
   I also like the fact that she's steered away from the usual emphasis on royal garments, and has concentrated her efforts on the clothes of the everyday common man, dividing her chapters to cover individual professions. Her line drawings are excellent, even if off-the-mark at times with her theories of construction......she has nicely isolated some interesting details of accessories to go with the different professions and situations, as in the clappers, etc. that the lepers were required to announce their approach,...her text in these things, elaborates more on the assorted situations, with helpful historical information.
   
   All in all, my single largest problem with her concise little book is when it comes down to her attempts to introduce her own theories as to construction; using her line drawings to try and prove how her theories might have been achieved, while she neglects to provide period sources to give visual support to her ideas. As a quick guide to theatrical costuming, it has it's merits. As a first costuming book for Medieval Historical re-inactors, it is valuable for the period illustrations, but her interpretations often need to be taken with a grain of salt, as many will not fly if entered in an A & S costuming competition, judged by informed judges...so you be the judge of how valuable this book may be in your library. I have over 100 costuming books in my own, and I'm still glad I added this one, if for no other reason than as a sometimes bad example,....but, again, the period illustrations are well worth the cost of the book. R.D. Wertz/Shara of Meridies

5 comments about Dress in Detail From Around the World.

1. I returned this book to Amazon because it did not meet my needs. Each garment portrayed in this book is portrayed in the same way. There are 2 graphics for each garment portrayed. One is a detailed drawing of each complete garment and the other is a detailed or close-up photograph of a small portion of the garment. My problem is that there were no complete photographs of any of the garments. I was surprised the authors chose not to photograph any of the garments portrayed in their entirety. Not one! A drawing doesn't come close to a photograph. And a close-up photograph of only a portion of the garment is not enough as well. You need a complete photograph of the entire garment in order for the reader to get the proper feel for a garment.



2. This is indeed a beautiful book, but it is also maddening! A full length color photo of each garment should have been included to demonstrate how the detail relates to the whole and the black and white line drawings don't do it.



3. This book features pictures of details from extant ethnic costumes from more than fifty countries. Next to each picture is a flat (line drawing) of the whole garment, which allows you to see construction and some stitching details, as well as the overall shape. Descriptions alongside each flat include mention of the gender, class, time period, and ethnicity of a person who might wear the garment, as well as a context in which they might do so.
   
   The organization is a little odd, since it relates to the particular detail featured (e.g. "Necklines", or "Pleats and Gathers") but the index allows a search by place, which is very helpful. It also includes a map, glossary, and suggestions for further readings. Students interested in cultural dress will enjoy this brief introduction, though for more in-depth studies of a region, they should look into other resources.



4. This is one of the most gorgeous and inspirational dress/costume books I've ever seen. The photos are clear, detailed, and focus on all the right things. If you're looking for design ideas or just eye candy, this fits the bill. It's a pity amazon.com doesn't remove the one-star review. His complaint has nothing to do with the book itself--just poor HTML linking on amazon's part. This book deserves to have a solid five-star rating. (6/9/06--I'm happy to see the one-star review was removed)



5. Dress in Detail from around the world is one of the most inspirational books I have purchased. It expands your paradigm for designing your own patterns using the line drawings of these costumes. The embellishments, closures and use of multiple fabric combos is endless. The designs are simple and yet elegant depending on your choice in fabric. I feel they are adaptable to many figure types. I loved the focus of detail on necklines and cuffs as well as closures!

2 comments about Denim by Design.

1. If you like to work with denim ,this book has many projects to be completed fairly simply.also,good photos throughout gives an idea of what the finished item will look like.combine with your own ideas and you can expand on the designs.



2. This book is not worth it. There are a few good ideas but the products are ugly. The book is going back. Sorry