No comments about The 1940's Look: Recreating the Fashions, Haristyles and Make-Up of the Second World War.

2 comments about Brunschwig & Fils Up Close: From Grand Rooms to Your Rooms.

1. This is a beautiful book for those who appreciate a very classic style in their interiors. The book covers historical homes and how luxurious fabrics and wallcoverings from Brunschwig & Fils have been used in special restorations.



2. THIS BOOK IS A DISAPPPOINTMENT AFTER READING THE FIRST BOOK BY BRUNSCHWIG...THIS BOOK COVER INTERIOR IS LIMP AND UNINTERESTING ....IT CONVEYS TO ME WHAT FOLLOWS IN THE BOOK, HO HUM, AND YAWN INTERIORS..AND BRUNSCHWIG FABRICS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!! WHAT HAPPENED?...IT IS TOO BAD ...THE BOOK WHICH SEEMS TO ME IS NOT CAREFULLY EDITED OR WITH INTERIORS THAT ARE REALLY SENSATIONAL IS A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT... SORRY, MRS. DOUGLAS...

5 comments about Bad And Beautiful: Inside the Dazzling and Deadly World of Supermodels.

1. I have always been into the world of fashion and models. This is the only book I have ever read about them. I bought this I think in 2003 was it? Anyway it was good book. A lot of young girls want to be models and they think its all glamourous. Nothing wrong with being a model, but a lot of young gals are very uneducated about the business. They think they are going to easily become famous supermodels, but not without dodging a few bullets. A lot of parents send their children off to model 14 years old uneducated themselves only if they knew what REALLY goes on inside the world of modeling. I knew about this industry but this book assured me. Girls get on drugs, murdered, become prostitutes, and lets not forget the countless racism. This book gives the inside scoop of what the model life is like. Parents don't let you daughters go stay in another country without getting some real information first because them agents will tell you anything!! That is until your child gets caught up!
   
   Tyra Banks seemed to be the only Supermodel excluded from this book. I take it that its only because her mother came to live with her in Paris when she felt like quitting. If her mother wasn't holding her hand she would not have been too different from the rest. I am a huge Tyra fan but I really believe so.



2. Models are fascinating and with television shows like America's Next Top Model and Project Runway, the industry seems glamorous and pure despite all the hard work that goes into it. Ian Halperin's book helps to ground the public a bit after being saturated with positive bias for the industry.
   
   Halperin went undercover as a new model from Canada whose Jewish looks were constantly branded as being much more like an actor than a model. However, despite the little success he had in the industry, he unearthed countless awful stories about the abuses of the industry. Saying that it is wrought with sex, drugs, and manipulation is an understatement. There is story after story about abuse, underage and non-consensual sex, fraud, and corruption.
   
   The only problem with this book is that the stories start to become repetitive which makes them lose their effect. However, this is not the fault of the author; even he acknowledges that he began to become numb to the horror stories. It is just that there seem to be no rules that apply in the industry which allows it to run wild.
   
   The chapters in this book are relatively short and cover a variety of subjects. Halperin discusses incidents with small time models as well as major events concerning the "big six."
   
   There is no bibliography in this book, but it is obvious that the author did a lot of research to get his information. He cites specific people when possible, explains why some sources are listed as anonymous, and uses other books like Michael Gross's Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women.



3. Obviously, the review below is bogus, crafted by some bored dimwit with a nothing better to do in life. This book reads extremely well and is heavily documented. Frankly, I suggest that its lucidity and creative way it's presented makes it the top fashion book I've read, and I've read them all. Please, give it a chance, you won't regret.



4. The only reason this gets 1 star is you can't give 0.
   It is poorly written, poorly executed and does not even make sense. It is obviously written by someone who has little if any experience writing anything much less a book. It has to be self published; there is NO publisher out there that would print this mish mash garble. The positive reviews are very suspect at best. If you read them they all have the same writing style, written by the same person?
   SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!



5. Being a former model for 12 years, I cannot thank Mr. Halperin enough for his incredibly candid account of what the fashion industry is really like. In fact, I think that his undercover experiences could potentially save models from having horrific experiences - if they read the book. When I was a model, I was sexually harrassed on dozens of occasions. When I complained I was usually told to shut up and keep it to myself - or eles, I would get blacklisted and never work again. Thank you Mr. Halperin for not shutting up and telling it like it really is.

1 comments about Collector's Guide to Vintage Tablecloths (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I LOVED this book, it's beautiful, well researched and great reference book for dating your collection. A must have for all collectors....

No comments about Cartier.

1 comments about Valentino Aroma: 45 Years Of Style At The Museum Of Ara Pacis July 6th October 28th 2007.

1. Gran calidad de fotografias no puse un 5 porque me hubiese gustado ver algun patron de esos magnificos vestidos.

No comments about Paper Illusions: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave.

5 comments about A Dress for Diana.

1. Book arrived, via a friend in the US (not postable to Aust) and although the cover was a little scuffed, for the price, not bad. Love the book; just what I was looking for, and although I have only peeked through, I can tell it will be helpful in the research I need.
   
   A great memento of a happier time for both Diana and myself. Thanks :D



2. I was amazed to find this book, which I had never seen, on Amazon for a wonderful price.
   Filled with lovely anecdotes on all the wedding details, this book was written before the "fairy-tale marriage" was revealed to be a nightmarish sham of deciet and betrayal. If Diana was starry-eyed, so were we--and we wanted to be.
   A labor of love, "A Dress for Diana" is rich with lavish details, such as the history of the silks and laces used and where they came from, close-ups of laces, shoes, patterns, and toilles(dress samples made in muslin during the design process.)
   Did you know that the Emmanuels made a perfect miniature of Diana's dress as a gift for her, as did her shoe designer? Nor did I, until I read this book.
   "A Dress for Diana" is a singular and fascinating look at an unforgettable time in history. If you love Her Royal Highness,Diana, Princess of Wales, or if you have an interest in English history, you will want this book, for it is one to treasure. The Emanuels have authored an exquisite tribute with a unique point of view.



3. This is an excellent book for those of us who watched the royal wedding at that time--and were so fascinated with that dress--and train. Although there were unexpected problems with the dress such as how do you fit a dress with an exceptionally long train into the small royal wedding carriage?--nevertheless, the dress was one of a kind--and forever will fascinate Diana fans throughout the world.
   
   The book shares the moment-by-moment details of the making of the dress as well as some other previously unpublished photos of the dress.
   A must book for Diana fans!



4. The Book is very very good. I really like knowing how the Emanuel's came up with the idea for Diana's dress.



5. A great book to own and a great keepsake for all times. I remember the wedding well and all the glory and pagentry surrounding that beautiful July day. Never again will a dress be made and worn with so much style and all the unselfish love and care that went into making this beautiful masterpiece for all the world to see. But not for Diana herself could this particular gown or memorable event have gotten off the ground and into the pages of history. Diana picked the best- the Emanuels to make her this beautiful creation and Diana's own beauty to capture the creation and magic of the most recorded wedding day ever. Pat C, New York

5 comments about The Edwardian Modiste: 85 Authentic Patterns With Instructions, Fashion Plates, and Period Sewing Techniques.

1. As a director this was an excellant resource book, however my seamstresses found it next to impossible to figure out the patterns. It would take someone quite comfortable in making patterns. The directions are there and could be worked out with enough effort and trial. Still, as a resource it's great and was quite useful. The designs and details alone are worth the price.
   
   Cary Riggs
   Thomasville, GA



2. Good book for creating fashions of the era .And the price for each pattern was a price I could not pass up.I love the patterns and clothes of days gone past and this is no exception.



3. This book features patterns for dresses, skirts, shirts, jackets, underclothing (etc.) for the years 1905 and 1907-1909.
   It contains:
   20 (patterns) from 1905
   22 from 1907
   21 from 1908
   23 from 1909
   
   This is a good book, well up to Frances Grimble's high standards. It contains many patterns but can also double as a sourcebook, since it contains many pictures of clothes from fashion plates. I would recommend buying it, but make sure to research these years to find out if you really want it. Remember, this is mid-late edwardian.



4. Being a costumer, I'm frustrated that there aren't enough "authentic" patterns, with the fine details that they had, being produced out there, except for the "Halloween-type" costumes. This is a great resource for patterns that have the look and period-correct construction techniques. Ms. Grimble has chosen some truly beautiful ones from real vintage patterns to include in her book. I haven't had a chance to learn how to scale the patterns up yet, but look forward to it.



5. Very good book. Thanks!

3 comments about Classic Tailoring Techniques: A Construction Guide for Women's Wear (F.I.T. Collection).

1. I found this book and the men's wear companion to be extremely informative and one of the best guides around for learning how to create a tailored garment using the traditional techniques as opposed to the "speed" tailoring that is so popular. I was disappointed that the women's book did include pants. Everyone is not going to buy both books. A basic pair of women's trousers could have been included. I was also surprised that neither book included topcoats or raincoats with zip/button-out linings. They are not just long jackets; there are differences in construction techniques. I also think that there should have been a little more clarification of some things. For instance, it took me a while to realize that silk-finished thread was actually Mettler's silk-finish cotton thread and not a type of silk thread. Minor gripes in comparison to the knowledge to be gained therein by those who want to make couture-quality garments.



2. I bought Classic Tailoring Techniques: A Construction Guide for Men's Wear first. It's great. The text teaches you how to make beautifully tailored garments. I wanted to see those techniques specifically for women's jackets, trousers, and skirts so I bought this edition. Except for the section on pants and skirts, the text is identical in both books. The sections on women's pants and skirts is like anything you'd find in a commercial pattern instruction sheet - nothing special at all. Couture techniques for making beautifully tailored pants for women are not described or even hinted at in this book. Actually, it's not the fault of the author -- tailoring techniques are actually designed for men's clothing. Couture techniques are essentially for women's clothing. If you want to learn to make tailored jackets (men's or women's), either book gives the same instructions. For tailored trousers, use the men's book. For women's skirts, see Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire B. Shaeffer. (Actually, Claire Shaeffer's Vogue patterns for jackets and trousers are probably a better purchase than this book.)



3. An excellent book with clear, well explained diagrams and photographs. The book takes you through the full procedure for tailoring women's jackets, skirts and pants