5 comments about Pretty Things: The Last Generation of American Burlesque Queens.

1. I just received this book in the mail, and i have only one word for it - Stunning.
   
   This book is full of beautiful photos and sketches of original costumes, and there's a wealth of written information to go with the pretty pictures!
   Even the presentation is lovely, i'm really impressed with the matte pink binding - it'll look great in my book case ;)
   
   Go ahead and order this book, you won't be disappointed.



2. the book is very dazzling ,and it would be my ture love for the passed Age.



3. An artistic design layout provides the reader with lots of photos and scrapbook pages of original costume sketches, fabric swatches, letters, postcards, and lots more. This visual collage is a wonderful piece of film toward understanding the life these women lived. Their attitude and sex appeal as we know it only disguised the reality of their life, tough working conditions and a career contingent of youth and beauty eventually leading these women to fall on hard times and in the end forgotten.



4. If the book title sounds familiar, it's because Liz Goldwyn's HBO documentary of the same name aired in July 2005 to much acclaim, covering the history of American burlesque. If you think you've seen it all in the show, think again: the book holds much more! Here are personal stories, career overviews, and biographies of some of the most talented genre stars. Burlesque history comes alive here as in no other collection, making PRETTY THINGS a 'must' for any holding strong in American arts history, from general-interest to college-level libraries.



5. An enlightening look at a largely misunderstood/misinterpreted art form, this book combines rigorous scholarship, engaging narrative, rare photos, and well-executed design. Liz Goldwyn's love of the subject matter is clear and infectious. Highly recommended, as is the author's HBO special of the same name.

No comments about One-Piece Wearables: 25 Chic Garments and Accessories to Sew from Single Pattern Pieces (Domestic Arts for Crafty Girls).

5 comments about Art Deco Fashion.

1. I don't like most of the clothes in stores these day so I make my own. I found this book inspirational in creating designs that flatter my "ultra-feminine" middle aged figure.



2. This is a cute little book with excellent pictures, but it left me wanting more. Many chapters are only two facing pages, and I would have liked to have seen more examples of each of the subjects.



3. I was very impressed with this publication. The illustrations were amazing. If you like art deco fashion and illustrations, then you will enjoy this book.



4. This book would have been better titled Art Deco Fashion of the 1920s. If you are interested in the entire span of art deco fashion that includes the 1930s, this isn't the book for you. Although the inside jacket says it was written to coincide with a major exhibition Art Deco 1910-1939, the 30s are all but forgotten.
   If you are looking fr a book that covers fashion of the entire period, look elsewhere.



5. Great coffee table book or as a reference for 1920's fashion. Includes sketches and actual photos from the time-period. I used it as inspiration for decorations for a 1920's theme wedding.

5 comments about Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars.

1. Absolutely Love Love Love this book! The pictures are fabulous and the costumes gorgeous! The designer did a terrific job! I recommend this book to anyone who loves design. I would've loved to have seen more but alas I'll just have to check out the website Star Wars Fit for a Queen, its combines both.



2. Great photos. NOT recommended for people looking for Episodes IV, V, VI costumes. A lot of this book is dedicated to Padme Amidala and her handmaidens' wardrobe, but they had the most costume changes throughout the first 3 movies. The costumes are beautiful and detailed. I love this book.



3. Each picture in this book is beautiful. Every costume from Star Wars is in here including how to make each costume. Its amazing how beautiful most of the costumes really are especially Padme, Padme's Handmaidens, the Queens of Alderaan and Naboo and the Jedi. Buy this book and it'll make you want to go out and make each costume yourself.



4. This book is a fabulous collection of photographs and information on the Star Wars costumes. The photographs show each costume in great detail and discuss the making of each costume from the sketch stage all the way through completion. I would definitely recommend this book! You do not have to be a Star Wars fanatic to appreciate this book.



5. This is a great book however, not every Jedi costume is covered. I find the photography great, but the book could use more text as to how the designer arrived at the costume choices. I also think the book would be better if it had more concept design sketches.

No comments about Modern Menswear.

5 comments about The Tokyo Look Book: Stylish To Spectacular, Goth To Gyaru, Sidewalk To Catwalk.

1. As a total Japanophile, I really loved this book! The pictures are beautiful and its just a perfect example of why I love those Tokyo Fashionistas. Unlike North America, where we are slaves to what we think other people want to wear and try to "fit in", a lot of the young Japanese people on the streets where what they want and have no qualms about standing out and looking unique!
   
   The book shows and describes the different looks, and often which district the look is from or originated. The text is mostly narrative, but I would've preferred some more informational style text. Such as a list of what elements compose each style and/or how to recreate the look for yourself.



2. My current ringtone on my celly is a short clip of "Harajuku Girls" by Gwen Stefani - it's been on phone for over a year now. As someone who has spent a formidable amount of my life in Japan, I covet and collect anything remotely "cute" from or even inspired by Japan, ringtones included. So it's no wonder that I love this book. Published by Japan-based Kodansha International, The Tokyo Look Book (2007) is a motley collection of photographs and interviews of Japanese fashionistas and fashion designers. "Motley" is probably a huge understatement, given what Philomena Keet (the author/editor) calls the "fashion spectrum" that exists in Tokyo. The photographs of Japanese guys and gals make me smile knowing that those pictured often follow their own drum beats. Even in the most outrageous and incongruous outfits, the Japanese youth wear their clothes with confidence or paint their faces with layers of make-up without second-guessing why they do it. If anyone has ever wondered who these "Harajuku Girls" are that Gwen Stefani sings about, pick up a copy of this book. They are fantastic!



3. i love japanese street style! this book gives so many different pictures of fashionable people on the streets of tokyo. it gives a little bit of background information about the culture and background, but if you want to get a more in-depth background and information on japanese styles and and designers and shops, i recommend Style Deficit Disorder by Tiffany Godoy.



4. Since I'm an author, and my novels often feature both Asian Americans and Asians who have moved to the US from overseas, I was very interested in this book as a research tool. I was not disappointed.
   
   This book is rich with pictures showing the different fashion styles prevalent in Tokyo. For someone who only visited Tokyo a couple times with family (and who didn't meet anyone my age), this was an eye-opener.
   
   I like the fact that there are often several photos showing examples of each particular style, rather than just one photo to show each style. It helped me get a better feel for the trends of the "look" rather than just one person's ensemble.
   
   The book shows the entire breadth of styles, from conservative to garish. I liked the hair and makeup showcased on the people photographed, as well.
   
   The fact that the people were all from off the street gave the book an air of greater credibility, since they didn't arrange a photo shoot with models. I felt like I was getting a slice of Tokyo life and culture.
   
   For me, this was an excellent research tool.



5. I've never been to Japan, and I read books all the time about how people in Japan love the global luxury brands (Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Dior). But seeing the cover of this book suggested that something else is going on with young people in Tokyo.
   
   Philomena Keet focuses on Shibuya (cool youth fashion), visually avant garde styles, street-defined ensembles, high fashion in a global taste sense, and what the well-dressed man wears to work. The last two seemed somewhat like what I expected, the first three were not.
   
   Each section is a nice combination of explaining the cultural roots behind the way of dressing, focuses on some designers, describes some celebrities defined by the style, and talks about the social implications. These aspects were welcome because I wouldn't have appreciated the logic behind the various looks without that background.
   
   The book has four big weaknesses:
   
   1. The analysis of what's covered is pretty superficial.
   
   2. The photography isn't as good as you usually see in a style-oriented book. I suspect that's because these are often virtually candid shots rather than fashion shots.
   
   3. The layout of the book isn't very appealing. There is an attempt to pick up the Tokyo look style, but I didn't think it worked.
   
   4. The type faces and backgrounds make the text difficult to read.
   
   Net-net, I found the book contained more than enough of interest to keep me reading through the book. I also felt I have a better sense of the role fashion plays for younger people in Japan. To me, the biggest aha was realizing that Western-style clothing is so relatively new to Japanese culture that young people feel a greater freedom to move away from traditional style concepts . . . even when the mixtures of clothes and styles are extremely eclectic.

5 comments about Tie Dye! The How-To Book.

1. I purchased this book and found the folding techniques to be very useful. I got tired of making the same tie dye circles and was looking for something different. This book shows several detailed folding instructions to get different results. This list of resources in the back was helpful as well.



2. I'm a beginner and I honestly got more information off of one internet site than I did in this book. It's okay, but not great.



3. I've purchased several tie dye books and DVDs, this is my primary "go to" book. Author does a fantastic job:
   
   1. Tells you at a high level the end-to-end process of tie dying
   
   2. Has text, accompanied by black and white photos on how to tie.
   
   3. Has at least one color photo of each finished tie dye project.
   
   You will understand how to tie dye several different types of patterns, and be successful at your first attempt, if you follow the information and advice.



4. This book was the best! I bought four, two historic, the other way to in-depth and not explanitary enough in simple, quick and easy terms- that was the one AMAZON asked me to write about... but I chose to write about this one instead! This book led me ( mother of a two year old boy-meaning-bath time reading only and dented attention span) by the hand - in easy pease lemon squeezy mode - to instruct 15 or more mothers AND their children at a nursery school! Thank you for applying yourself in sharing the knowledge.. for quick answers and quick easy read before the tie dye project- BUY THIS ONE!



5. Virginia has a good starter book for tie-dye, but like the majority of tie-dye content - only skims the surface. I prefer Jacquard's "Tie Dye To Die For & Batik You Can't Resist" book at $5.95 vs. this how-to book. To be fair, I would purchase it to see her lovely tie-dye work, but as a "how-to" I might look elsewhere.
   
   Michael Fowler

5 comments about Portfolio Presentation for Fashion Designers.

1. This is the textbook for my portfolio development class. All I can say is this is one of the best investments I've ever made. It initially seemed costly, but it is completely worth it. It gently talks you through the process of setting up your portfolio, and gives a ton of ideas for a stunning presentation that will leave an impact.



2. I don't think that I can say anymore than whats alreasy been said about how ABSOLUTELY GREAT this book is.

   It really is a great resource to own. It has everything from layout (which one is the best and which ones aren't), to resume, to interview information. It also encourages you to think out of the box a bit by showing you what everyone wlse os doing.

   Once agian excellent resource for up-an-coming fashion designers/students and even those who have left and are returning to the fashion industry.




3. A great book for more advanced Designers, show you different presentations of portfolio...Great but I wish that the pictures were in colors not in B&W.



4. I purchased this book to help me with my portfolio layout for acceptance to the Fashion Institute of Technology. Although I needed to follow FITs guidelines, I feel that I gained a lot of great knowledge and excellent ideas and inspiration by referencing this book before submitting my portfolio to FIT. I am proud to say that I was accepted and will now be referencing the book to put together my portfolio for interviews in the industry.



5. For someone who loves to sew and is looking on how to bring their designs to the next level, then this is the book for you. It chocked full of great tidbits and even provides several portfolio options for the novice beginner. For great inspiration, it features sketches from up and coming designers and the established guard before they were on the map. Great reference book for hard core design fashionistas!!

5 comments about A Thousand Days of Magic: Dressing Jacqueline Kennedy for the White House.

1. I love reading and learning about Jackie Kennedy and feel she is the personification of elegance, class and grace. She was the EPITOME OF STYLE. For anyone that is an admirer of hers you won't be disappointed with this picture book (except I wish more photos had been in color so we could see her clothes in their natural hue). But it is evident Mr. Cassini is a very talented designer and Jackie was the ultimate subject. It is very easy to see why the world was obsessed with what she was wearing and how her style has influenced fashion for years on end. Great coffee table book.



2. I have always admired Jackie Kennedy for her style, grace and elegance. Therefore, Oleg Cassini's informative and illustrative book about the dresses he had designed exclusively for Jackie whilst being First Lady of America truly delighted me.
   
   Her reign (sadly) of a thousand days of "magic" was all too short for our mere mortals. A great coffee book table, I will always treausre it.



3. This is the BEST by far on Jackie Kennedy's simple but elegant fashion style. Oleg Cassini was personally selected by Jackie to design many of her outfits during her time as first lady. This book includes not only Cassini's finished articles of clothing, but also the original sketches he used in designing the clothes. On many pages he includes personal notes of thank you from Mrs. Kennedy, as well as requests for specific gowns or other items for special occasions. Not only was Jackie a fashion statement, she set the stage for years to come in the fashion industry! Oleg Cassini is a magnificent and world-renowned fashion designer, and will no doubt be long remembered for his fashion creations for Jackie Kennedy! The photos are stunning, and beautiful as ever...portraying Mrs. Kennedy all over the world wearing his designs. If you are a Jackie Kennedy admirer, Oleg Cassini follower, or a Fashion History buff; this is a remarkable book to add to your collection...more than worth the price!



4. I bought this book in 1995 when it first came out, it has held up beautifully, and is one of my all time favorite books about Jackie.

   A large, coffee table book that is filled with exquisite photos from Jackie's wedding day to President Kennedy through her time as First Lady, and her later years.

   Jackie has always been one of my favorite role models, and Oleg Cassini did one fantastic job in showing the sketches of clothing illustrations, as well as when and where Jackie wore them. He gives wonderful and detailed paragraphs of information that are respectful of Jackie. The book also has clear copies of the many letters of gratitude Jackie has written, as well as the many activities she was involved in.

   It is a true and dignified portrait of Jackie's greatest 1,000 days, and is a timeless treasure, showing the class, dignity, heart, and soul of a woman who will forever remain eternal.
   HIGHLY Recommended for the beautiful and dignified manner with which it is presented.




5. As far as I am concerned this is THE top book about Jackie's Fashions and I have either read, bought, or extensively reviewed all of them. This big coffee table book written by Oleg Cassini contains more information, better pictures and sketches than any other book about Jackie's fashions. In fact,I would say in some ways it is almost a biography of Jackie albeit a heavily illustrated one. Do not let the new influx of books about Jackie's fashions deter you from buying this book. The new books that came out around the time of the exhibit of her fashions at the Met are all ok . And Hamish Bowles book about the exhibit was the best of the three released during this timeframe. However none of these books match the lushness of Cassini's book!

5 comments about Going Home to the Fifties.

1. "Going Home to the Fifties" is a delight for the eyes; especially for those Baby Boomers who were often referred to as the "luckiest generation" because of the post-war prosperity being enjoyed at the time.
   
   Mom wasn't home every day when we got home from school because she was a "career girl"; the only working mother I knew at the time. My parents were not Ward & June Cleaver, but I had a wonderful childhood!
   
   The house was always immaculate; even though there were four young boys living at home. We had a nanny who sat with us after school and she was my surrogate mother.



2. "Going Home to the Fifties" offers a very charming and engaging look back to the most prosperous decade in history. It's not a history book, but rather a "keen" review of the times and how the changes following WWII defined the era. I particularly like how the book starts off asking, "What were the Fifties?" and "When did the Fifties actually begin?" It also helps the reader understand that, while today the Fifties are criticized for being too conservative and suppressive, people living back then were quite privileged. Families were enjoying luxuries and amenities only dreamed of by previous generations, especially coming out of the '30s and '40s where Americans had to deal with the hardships of the depression and war. The Fifties really were simpler times and this book lets you experience its joys all over again, or for the very first time.



3. This book has some nice vintage advertsing art in it, but I must say the text is pretty light-duty and seems to be aimed at young readers. There are also several typos and some wrong information. The book definitely has merit, but there are books that cover aspects of the same subject with much greater depth, like Thomas Hine's "Populuxe", Lesley Jackson's "Contemporary", Michelle Gringeri-Brown's "Atomic Ranch" and, for the serious historian, David Halberstam's definitive tome "The Fifties." But as an introduction to the 1950's lifestyle for someone new to the subject, this book works just fine.



4. I've been fascinated with the 50's since I was a child. Almost everything I've read on the 50's has been clouded with cynicism. While reading this book, I really felt like I was transported back in time and into the minds of people who were living in this time. I felt it did a great job of explaining "materialism" and "housewives" (that had normally gotten such a bad reputation). I just don't think I can say enough good things about this book. I'm glad I bought it, and will hopefully share it with others who share my fascination and enthusiasm.



5. a book that celebrates that wonderful decade known as the 1950's and does so without irreverance, parody, or sarcasm. I came across the wonderful gem of a book quite by accident. For years, I had wished that someone would write a book that highlighted this time in American history and Bill Yenne does a SUPERB job.

   Not only is the text informative, but the wonderful pictures and illustrations, along with real advertisements, make this book a must-have for the serious afficianado. Unfortunately, you can find books out there about the fifties, but they are written by those who want to make fun of that time and use intellectual sophistication to castigate this era in America. How do I know it was such a good time?

   Well, I don't recall high school students shooting and knifing other students. Teen pregnancy numbers were quite low, movies had a point to them, drug abuse wasn't rampant, and some things were still honored and revered, such as church, country, and family. (No, I am not a Falwell/Robetrtson/Dobson right-wing fundamentalist.) But I am a moderate and I guess one of the many things I love about that time was its moderation and its optimism.

   Here we were right after a world war, eager to achieve and enjoy the promise of America and full of boundless optimism about our future. President Eisenhower led with a fatherly hand, and people grew and flourished. The malcontent and sociopath were the exception rather than what seems like the rule today. People seemed to have some reference to the whole rather than just an apathetic, "I don't give a damn" attitude. There were no violent gangsta rap songs flooding the airwaves with hate, and wonder of wonders, the music was really good-now considered classic.

   Yes, those halcyon days are gone now and we've "grown up." Just about anything goes and you don't have to look very far to find a social or psychic cesspool to wallow in. Being born in the late fifties, I know that my generation is the last to have enjoyed the fruitage of that great decade. But for a time, it was ours and it was sparkling, and it was the real deal.

   So get this book and spend an afternoon savoring each delicious memory and picture. You can't help but feel better after you put the book down and in fact, will find yourself returning there again and again.