2 comments about Textile Art of Japan.

1. A book on textiles that have many beautiful pictures as well as details on Shibori.It also shows some of the techniques of weaving, and kimono painting.Excellent.



2. This is a great introduction to the textiles of Japan, particularly for people just beginning to develop their interest in this area. The book presents a balanced discussion of the subject by providing a good amount of information on history and technique, without spinning the reader with overwhelming detail about either. Of special interest to us were the practical (functional) aspects of the fabrics, as well as the effects the fabrics and Japanese society have had (and continue to have) on each other. The most important types of textiles are covered, along with the relevant terminology.

   The book also has many excellent photographs of everything from uchikake on display to vats of indigo dye. The color pictures not only help the reader get a better understanding of the topic at hand, but also realize the beauty of the fabrics and the hard work that goes into them.

   Good book. Recommended.

No comments about Imperfect Beauty.

5 comments about Men of Color: Fashion, History, Fundamentals.

1. FANTASTIC PHOTOGRAPHS AND HISTORIC REFERENCE OF BLACK MEN AND STYLE, VERY LITTLE IN TERMS OF A GUIDE FOR MEN ON HOW TO'S ,A VERY GOOD OVERVIEW ON MIXING STYLES AND THE PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCE IT,I HOPE MR.BOSTON IS GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THIS AND GIVE US BLACKMEN A GUIDE TO FINE DRESSING AND PUT MUCH DETAILS AND AN OVERALL PACKAGE TOGETHER,THAT CAN BE USED INDEFINITELY......



2. Lloyd Boston is totally awesome to have written this book. I stumbled upon this book while researching men's hats for a school research thesis. What I found was not only men and their hats, but historical detail about the Black man and his hat and who the man is with and without his headcovering. The sad thing at the time was that I had to return it to the library; but now that someone gave me a gift from Amazon.com, I am now purchasing this reference material, conversation piece This book a must have in my library and collection of fine art.
   
   THANKS LLOYD BOSTON for sharing Men of Color: Fashion, History, and Fundamentals. And Thanks Amazon.com for allowing me to get it at an affordable price.



3. This book is NOT a fashion book as the understated subtitle suggests. Instead, I am looking at a GALLERY of fine Black men throughout the ages with their "fashions" being very secondary.

   This book is filled with WONDERFUL color and black and white photos of Black men -- famous and unknown, past and present. This book is monumentally political for it demonstrates why the Black man is loved, hated, feared, hunted, and reverenced throughout the world! This book is a job well-done.




4. I thought the book was excellent. It artfully combines historical content with practical advice that any African American male can use. I always thought it took a lot of money to look great. But using this book as a guide definitely helped.



5. This book is simply amazing. I received the book as a gift from my fiancee and have treasured this book ever since. First, the photographs are amazing, pleasant, and necessary reminders of the way stylish men of color have shaped style and fashion over the years. Second, there is the instructional aspect of the book that covers matters outside of clothing and which I can't say enough about. After reading the section of the book that dealt with hair and skin care, I was motivated to go buy shaving soap and shaving brush and dispense with the shaving gel. Thanks to Lloyd Boston and this book I have had the best shaving experiences of my life. I can't say how necessary this book is for the many black men who go through the drama of ingrown facial hair. I have less drama than most in that department, but I have still seen a remarkable improvement in my skin, as would any man after following the book's advice. The book even arms you with the necessary vocabulary to navigate your way around a men's shop with ease. There is even instructions on how to do the perfect shoe shine! And as Lloyd Boston points out, well-shined shoes are the best complement to any wardrobe. So,to sum up this book, it is NECESSARY! It is necessary for any stylish man and any man who strives to be so. It is more than worth the money.

No comments about Man Ray.

2 comments about The Empire of Fashion.

1. In this book Lipovetsky makes explicit ideas that one could find in a more timid way in earlier books. The basic idea of his thought is that fragmentation of society does not, in the way it is thought commonly, mean destruction of morals or democracy. On the contrary, democracy is formed by the powers that are able to join fragmentation and continuity. This is what he shows with fashion. Fashion is from where he can understand what is "the essence" (although it isn't an essenciallist thought)of Western Culture. He uses the concept of fashion to synthetize the opposites: fragmentaed indivilualistic society and universal democratic society. As Hegel, he sees the union of both opposites through the whole reconstruction of Fashion. Not science or Reason but fashion is what explains us better what we are and why we are like that.



2. Unlike the stuffy American academics who turn their nose up at the world of fashion, Lipovetsky realizes the importance of fashion - not just as a result of liberalism and/or capitalism - but as a contributor to these structures. Lipovetsky basically argues that modern fashion contributes to democratization by allowing individuals more choices and also by obscuring social classes (Does Bill Gates dress signify his social or financial superiority in any way?). He also gives a pretty concise and coherent history of fashion which helps us understand where we stand today. On top of all that, it's well written. I don't know whether to thank him or Porter for that. All and all, an outstanding and entertaining rejection of the tedious, reductive Marxist explanations of fashion.

No comments about The Complete Petite: Everything You Need to Know About Fashion If You're 5'4 or Under.

No comments about Tropical Shirts and Clothing (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

No comments about Bootism: A Shoe Addict's Handbook.

2 comments about Geoffrey Beene: The Anatomy of His Work.

1. As this is one of the few books available on the artistry of Geoffrey Beene, it is both a welcome addition to the world of fashion-photography books and sadly, a very weak treatment of the how-and-why of his work. The photos are oversized and some are gate-folded, but there are not nearly enough to cover the breadth of more than 30 year's design that is Beene's history. He is and always will be apart from many American designers. His is a mixture of the ease/casual feel of sportswear, and at the same time, the epitome of the couturier/dressmaker's craft. Aerodynamic, sleek, modern, iconoclastic are just some of the words used to describe his vision. However, the publisher neglected to go into greater detail as to why Beene is described as such. It would have been helpful to read of his early days working in Paris couture workrooms picking up pins and assisting with the production of toiles. Such is one of the many stories that surround the Beene legend. The quotations from Beene himself are somewhat informative, but someone should write a definitive biography of his life and work in greater detail. A nice book to look at, but not much more.



2. I'm surprised that Booklist calls the text of this book "witty and informative." I found the text to be the major weakness of the book. It's vague, rambling, and completely UNinformative. I didn't learn about Beene's background, education, training, or business. All I got was a lot of fashion-speak garble about his brilliance and genius. The writing is just really, really bad.

   The most interesting part of the book is the final section, which is entirely quotes from Beene himself. The photos are lovely, but 120 is too few to give a good overview of Beene's work; he has been designing for 30+ years and must have designed hundreds or even thousands of garments by now. This book shows too few of them.

   Overall, this book was disappointing.

No comments about Fashion Modeling: Being Beautiful, Selling Clothes (The World of Fashion series) (The World of Fashion).