1 comments about Pretty: The NYLON Book of Beauty.

1. The book is a good skim at products that are classics and good representatives of a certain time period - so you can go for that 'look.' No how-to's except a few pages at the end, which is only probably helpful for people who are already pretty adept with make-up.

3 comments about Fashion Now 2 (Fashion).

1. This book is a good one but I expected more. I purchased it thinking it would have info about fashion lines and such yet all it has is the history of the desginers and in size 1 font. You have to strain your eyes read it. But still it was very informational (is that a word?) and I did learn a few more designers names.



2. I knew about fahion books published by Taschen during a Fashion Course I took last Summer in Italy. I got this one and another titled Fashion History and let me tell you that they offer really great books considering their price, quality, photos and the information presented about the topic.
   This book contains a summary of the biographies and work of the most renowed Fashion Designers and the emerging talent on the Fashion Industry. I suggest to keep it not only as a reference book but also as a guide for further research.



3. this is one of the best fashion books out there. a breif discription of all the best designers in the industry. a good reference to keep.

5 comments about The Meaning of Sunglasses: And a Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable.

1. This was such fun to read. Brits have different writing styles than Americans, and so I had to WORK a little harder to read this book (and I mean that in a good way). It's a hoot.



2. As much as I'm a fanatic about following Project Runway, the fashion industry takes itself waaay too seriously, so this book is a great leveler. The "encyclopedia" approach makes it a perfect book to dip into little spoonsful at a time and, like the best premium pint of ice cream, it's rich with humor and not too sweet.



3. I got this book to bring as a light entertaining read to bring on vacation. Unfortunately, reading this book was like being stuck watching an unfunny comedienne go on and on and on with the same tired old gripes about fashion. She starts off mildly amusing and insightful, but this quickly deteriorates into whining. I never laughed, I don't think I even cracked a smile.



4. Yes, this is a highly entertaining book for anyone interested in fashion, particularly for those aware of its frequently ludicrous and self-delusional aspects. However, as funny as the author can be, she relies on five or six forms of witticism that have become predictable by p. 117, let alone p. 234 (THE END). Furthermore, why the obsession with Kate Moss?! I think most of us who care about fashion have long since figured her--and her fashion-world significance--out. Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan...likewise, not really what I'm responding to these days. I was hoping for a bit more insight, something beyond the People/Us demographic of fashion reception. The author cites Anna Wintour several times, but doesn't engage with the Vogue reader who's genuinely interested in the aesthetics of women's wear. She's mostly worried our heels are too high and we insist on showing cleavage and wearing thongs. Yup, got it already, and without a flippant how-to manual, too. And how about not biting the hand that feeds us? I'm willing to bet the author prefers her Miu Miu's to her Easy Spirit's just like the rest of us!



5. This book is just too much fun!
   
   If you've ever pondered the amazing power that fashion holds over the females of this species, you will find here much to tickle your funny bone.
   
   Ms. Freeman wittily exposes our bizarre, lemming-like tendencies in this collection of mini-essays. You will laugh out loud while reading because if you don't recognize bits of yourself in this encyclopedia of dos, don'ts, and why did Is, you will certainly recognize someone you know.
   
   My favorite bits in the book have to do with fashion trends and the choice between "looking fashionable and looking good". I also enjoyed the section "Get: fashion that girls do and boys don't". Hats off to Ms. Freeman for her ability to poke fun in such a wicked and yet ultimately sympathetic manner.
   
   In short, Get: this book. And you, too, will know the real meaning of sunglasses.
   
   Jennifer Skinner
   Author of The Very Small Closet

5 comments about Tartan: Romancing the Plaid.

1. The nearly 300 page book entitled Tartan came to my attention a few weeks ago (May 2008) when the male author appeared on the Martha Stewart show. As I am a textile and fiber/knitting/weaving fanatic, I ordered it immediately. It arrived, and I realized it was published back in 2007...so I thought: Mr Banks must have booked himself onto the show to push book sales. ($65. retail) After the INTRO, the section named "TRADITIONS" (=history) was quite interesting--particularly the photos of paintings--but that section is only 50 pages long. No historic analysis or enumeration w photos of all major tartans. Next section: FASHION--first 12 pages covers the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Interesting photos of them in their home, of the Duchess' closet. So that's 62 pages of "origin of tartans and emergence as a fashion statement". The remainder of this 300 page paperweight jumps from modern day designer to designer, with photos combed from runways and designer photo shoots... more and more and more of same, ad nauseum. For me, 20% of the book being devoted to tradition and history of tartans did not justify the cost of this book, not even with the Amazon discount. (True, there is a single photo of Princess Diana, one of Charles and Camilla, and one of Charles with the Burbery folks...and a few amusing photos of interior designers odd uses of tartans [including an interior slanted ceiling of a caravan papered in yellow plaid fabric--nice, but the lines of the tartan were distorted in the installation process, so I'd rate that project a great idea, poorly executed]. Still not worth the $$$ for 200+ pages of runway shots (unless you aspire to be a model). I've just packed it up for return. Suzann Eshleman, Upland Fiberworks, Ithaca, NY



2. If you love plaid, this book is essential. Lovely photographs and history on the ever handsome world of plaid. Delightful coffee table book.



3. You'll be doing the Highland Fling in no time (or at least the Lowland Shim) when you read this terrific book. It's a wonderful history of the fabric and the tome is filled with interesting history and some fun, lighthearted photos - like the guard who's catching a breeze and having his kilt lifted to show . . . well, buy the book and find out. I was very surprised (nicely so) to find out it wasn't just a dry historical analogy but rather a work that examines something we see in everyday life but may not have taken the time to think about.
   Stylemaven



4. WOW -- I am an author who has written a few illustrated books like this -- and all I can say is this book is LEAGUES above the rest -- amazing photographs and layouts, beautiful paper, beautifully produced. A real labor of love. Although I know a fair amount about fashion, I did not know all that much about tartan... until now. A revealing mix of history, culture, modern tmes, with images ranging from the Duke of Windsor (how lonely -- albeit well dressed he looks...) to Rod Stewart, Princess Diana and the Bay City Rollers. As well as some of my favorite models and designers in the world.
   
   Mr. Banks and Ms. de la Chapelle have done an amazing job. This book is so well written, stunning, and beautifully produced, that it is going to be MY Christmas gift to others this year.



5. When I was introduced to this tome it woke up a fashion and hstory perspective that was a new dimension to my being, a very plesant one. This is more than a fashion book - it is hundreds of stories and dazzling images that introduces multidimensional perspection and connection to a very rich and mystical design grid and real stories as to how world famous designers were inspired by the tartan. A facinating read on many levels, rich in imagery and opening up the true mystique of tartan to the unitiated like me.

3 comments about Misshapes.

1. I loved it. Really cool photos. Great layout. Lots of variety. The fashion is great. They really captured the essence of the "hipster scene". So worth the money.



2. These kids suck. This scene is for the most part fabricated and non-representative of what really goes down in the NY scene.



3. The kids at the party are cute. This book is such a neat documentation of New York nightlife and fashion. The layout is amazing. All of the photograpic contributions really mesh well with the portraits. Perfect size to hang onto as a reference or to sit on the coffee table. Good mix of celebrities with normal people, had to look a few times to find some people. Kudos.. very clean and sophisticated, well worth purchasing, and perfect for any age!

5 comments about Diana: Princess of Wales.

1. As a fan of Diana's, I enjoyed seeing a more casual side of Diana. The picutres show a side of the princess that reaffirm how beautiful she was in all settings, not just formal. The pictures however are a little soft in the focus arena.



2. Five months before Princess Diana's death in August, 1997 she sat for what was to be her last photo session with the Peruvian photographer Mario Testino. The results for the most part are quite wonderful. Often shot in natural light, sometimes smiling naturally-- a difficult task for any photographer to capture-- Diana, relaxed and unadorned (she wears no jewelry and is barefoot and seated sometimes on an all-white sofa), seems to be having a very good time and could almost be the exquisitely beautiful woman next door. Having said that, I noticed that in a shot or two she has an unflattering nose. Unlike too many Brits, however, she was blessed with beautiful teeth-- and a smile that would melt concrete.
   
   In an interview with the photographer that accompanies these photos that were shot for a spread in "Vanity Fair" that sold out on the newsstands he reminisces about the day he shot these photographs and the good time that both he and his subject had doing them, commenting on what he calls real laughter, laughter from the inside, that he was able to elicit-- it is obvious in the photographs-- from Diana. In a touching note, he mentions that these photographs became the favorites of Diana's boys.
   
   My two favorites-- at least today as they might change the next time I look at this beautifully printed book by Taschen-- are numbers 33 (Diana is clutching her hands at her ankles) and 54 with 45 (the pensive Diana) as a close third. Other favorites are 42, 43, 9, 10, 36, 10 and 23, where she is most beautiful.
   
   Diana is wearing some of the 79 dresses she auctioned off at Christie's for charity. If you are interested, information about the clothes is included at the back of the book. But this isn't about the clothes. It is about Diana; she is certainly no mannequin here.
   
   Sixty or so photographs, both in black and white and in color, are included in this book; they are reproduced and numbered in the back. Fraydon Carter wrote a foreword; Meredith Etherington-Smith, an introduction.
   
   While these photographs take on a special significance because they are the last formal ones of Princess Diana before her tragic death, had she lived, she would of course have been photographed dozens and dozens of times. I cannot imagine, however, that these by Testino would not have been seen as some of the most beautiful, most compelling and would have held their own with whatever photographs came after them.



3. Stunning pictures, just a beautiful piece of art that will leave you speechless. Princess Diana was beautiful inside and out, there's nothing left to say.



4. AWFUL! Only a few photos, repeated several times, most were out of focus. Would never have purchased if I could have looked inside. I guess that's why it was wrapped in plastic in a local bookstore.



5. Although you can buy plenty of other books with photos of Diana, Testino photographed her like no one else. She looks casual, relaxed and happy in these photos. Diana does not look at all "glammed" up with excessive makeup and hair styling. The way you would see her at home, inspite of the gowns she wears in these photos. Testino captured a Diana that was probably only seen by family and friends, and in these shots he shared that Diana with the rest of the world.

5 comments about Everyday Fashions of the Twenties as Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs (Sears Catalogs).

1. This is a great book if you're looking for an overview of fashions from 1909 to 1930, concentrating on clothes available from Sears catalogs of the period. The book includes women's, men's, children's, and infant's clothing. The text is entertaining to read. I was a little disappointed that there were not more examples of fashion in the 20's. Nevertheless, it is an informative and fun book to refer to if you have an interest in period fashion



2. A great source of information on the cloths worn by ordinary people of this time period.
   
   Pity people don't dress like this anymore.



3. This is a very useful source book for every day clothing, particularly things like men's clothes,kid's outfits, maid uniforms, and other things that aren't the high fashion clothing that many books feature. I design theater costumes, and have found this very helpful.



4. Great book. I used it to come up with a 20's custume for a party. Loved the book. Great graphics.



5. If you love fashion from the 1920's or just saw "Chicago" and would like more background on it,this is a worthwhile book to flip through. Some the pics are not the best quality and childrens clothes are only on one page. However, You really do,get an idea of what the average person wore back then,which may surprise some readers.All in all, A decent book for fashion history buffs.

3 comments about Gucci by Gucci.

1. This book is incredible! Your personal library is vacant if you are a high-end fashion lover and this book is not in your collection. The photos are crisp and gorgeous. The book contains photos of celebrities past and present wearing Gucci, pictures of old Gucci boutiques, old ads....you name it, it's in here! There is also a section dedicated to every major type of bag Gucci came out with. Very informative and vital!



2. if you're looking for a book with a lot of history on Gucci, you will be disappointed. This is a nice coffee table book but not a great source for research.



3. I was absolutely amazed at the size of this book. It's huge! The pictures are wonderful. However, I wish that the personalities were named on the page of the photo instead of in a photo icon sized index in the rear of the book. Otherwise, a quite amazing journal on the history of Gucci.

3 comments about Make Your Own Clothes: 20 Custom Fit Patterns to Sew.

1. I just finished making a Mother of the Groom dress using the tulip skirt modified and Leena's basic fitting shell you download as an extra when you load the software. Other than moving the side dart in the bodice to a waist dart and contouring it a bit for a more fitted dart - I didn't have to any altering. The dress I was copying the skirt had two inverted pleats, but the same shape as the tulip skirt. So instead of three small pleats I combined them into an inverted pleat, again great fit. I just finished the dress on the front cover in a mauve fine Italian wool - WOW looks like a $300 dress.



2. very good book for new sewers. Easy to follow direction and easy to understand. I have been sewing for many years, I wish I had this book when I was starting out.



3. After reading the book's instructions, installing the software, printing patterns supposedly "custon-fit", taping pattern pieces together, cutting them out, trying them on, I threw everything in the trash. I was going to dontate the book to our local library, but it, too, hit the round file today. After having sewn for 30 years, and owning an expensive sewing/embroidery machine, I can do your book no justice. Also, I cannot do myself any, as well. I would say that your photos are good, but the clothes you have constructed have obvious sewing errors, identifiable on sight. Oh, and before I gave up, I left a voice mail at your customer support department, and I received no reply. :-(

No comments about What People Wore When: A Complete Illustrated History of Costume from Ancient Times to the Nineteenth Century for Every Level of Society.