2 comments about Designing Clothes: Culture and Organization of the Fashion Industry.

1. DESIGNING CLOTHES: CULTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE FASHION INDUSTRY is a top pick for college-level collections strong in fashion history and design. It considers how fashion operates in society and how it works in an organizational context, considering how fashion firms operate, how they market more than just clothing, and how they actually sell bigger concepts than the latest style choices. Not only art collections but business libraries as well will find it an important survey of how the presentation of fashion is influenced by social change. From fashion industry trends and leadership to the efforts of the fashion designer, DESIGNING CLOTHES is an excellent, in-depth survey.



2. a really good book that looks at how fashion designers became celebrities and a look at what it is like to work as a designer, whether it is an assistant designer or a top designer like tommy hilfiger. this book gives a good review of theory on fashion from both the meaning it has to people who buy and wear fashion to the role of fashion in everyday life, and it talks about fashion firms, their leaders, the culture in the firms and how fashion has become a global industry. i learned a lot about the ways that fashion influences individuals and how it works as a business, and I didn't know much before on this topic. it is well written for the college grad or above level.

No comments about Indigo.

2 comments about Civil War Fashions Coloring Book (History of Fashion).

1. Tom Tierney does a fabulous job with the drawings in this book, the dresses and uniformes have a lot of detail. This is probably my favorite coloring book (and I have a lot!) There is not one "bad" picture in this whole book, they are all a joy to color.



2. Tom Tierney does a WONDERFUL job of illustating the civil war Fashions in this book. Colored Pencils are a must for this book to fill in all the small details of the costumes. I instantly loved this book and hope to buy more of his historical books!

2 comments about Dressing Renaissance Florence: Families, Fortunes, and Fine Clothing (The Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science).

1. It's surprising to note that professor Carole Collier Frick's DRESSING RENAISSANCE FLORENCE: FAMILIES, FORTUNES AND FINE CLOTHING is the first in-depth study of the Renaissance fashion industry. Here are insights into the social and political meaning of clothing in Florence, with black and white photos throughout displaying changing styles and fashion innovations, visual impressions and how family fortunes were invested in wardrobes. A fascinating college-level study, recommended for any collection strong in fashion or Renaissance history.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. I'm extremely impressed. I think this book would make an outstanding addition to any Renaissance-lover's, or garbaholic's, bookshelf.

   It is not about how to make Italian-persona clothing. Instead, it focuses on how Florentines of the Renaissance used clothing to make social statements. Along the way, it examines some things that garbmakers would like hearing about (one table lists various color combinations found in gowns and linings), but mostly, it's about the sociology of fashion.

   Chapters:

   * Craftspeople and tailors (including how clothes-making guilds were organized and the role women played in these guilds)
   * Tailoring Family Honor (how Florentines viewed honor and how they thought honor was expressed through clothing)
   * Family Fortunes in Clothes (how much they spent, and a bit about the secondhand clothes market)
   * The making of wedding gowns (you'll love learning how many opinions went into one and how totally political it all was)
   * Trousseaux for Marriage and Convent (how they differed, and lists of what went into each)

   And stuff about sumptuary law, information about layers of clothing, types of dyes (and an examination of mourning clothes), types of fabric, and clothes as depicted in art -- and how art might have distorted how people really wore clothes. Embroidery is also covered.

   Needless to say, the painter Ghirlandaio features pretty prominently here. There are also b/w repros of portraits, unfortunately not super well detailed, but there are a few here I haven't seen before. There are also appendices that are very useful -- lists of currency and measures, categories of clothiers, yardage required for various garments, glossaries of what yardage terms meant, and a HUGE bibliography and glossary of terms.

   It isn't a physically large book, clocking in at around 300pp, but it's very rich in detail, and the writing is pleasant to read. I'd definitely recommend this book to anybody wanting to immerse in the period -- and DEFINITELY for any Renaissance costumers out there. It might not be a bad idea to have some basic grounding in the period before reading this, but it's written well enough that if any is required, it isn't much.

2 comments about Fashion Illustrator: Drawing and Presentation for the Fashion Designer (Abrams Studio).

1. I found it to be unimpressive and uninspiring. I didnt learn anything. Dont waste your time. In place of this I would recommend fashion design drawing course : principles, practice, and techniques : the ultimate guide for the aspiring fashion artist / Caroline Tatham, Julian Seaman, or Stylishly drawn : contemporary fashion illustration / Laird Borrelli.
   
   If you would like to learn how to draw fashion apparel on models I recommend
   either:
   
   Draw Fashion Models! (Discover Drawing Series) (Paperback)
   by Lee Hammond
   
   or
   
   Fashion Sketchbook (Spiral-bound)
   by Bina Abling
   
   Hope this helps some. I am still looking for a book to show me how to bring my illustrations to life via Adobe Illustrator.



2. This book tries to be about everything but it`s about nothing. Each part of the book is 5 pages long and only the part about illustrators is 50% of the book. Each illustrator answers same 8 questions and there is 1 of his drawing attached. Boring. For me waste of money.

1 comments about Toile de Jouy.

1. Recently there has been an explosion in the popular applications of toile de Jouy's monochromatic patterns. You can buy anything from a dog bed to a light switch cover embellished with this venerable fabric. Although it may seem faddish, toile de Jouy has been a classic decorating choice for almost 250 years never falling out of favor.

   A recently published book, Toile de Jouy: Printed Textiles in the Classical French Style brings focuses on the interesting history of this enduring fabric decorating staple. Toile de Jouy includes hundreds of vibrant color photographs gathering together antique fabrics, pattern sketchbooks, block prints, period clothing, and period soft furnishings. The photographs capture the amazing monochromatic fabric designs that we are familiar with, historical tributes, literary themes, everyday scenes, and bucolic country life. There are also fabrics that we are not likely to associate with toile de Jouy; blazing or muted multicolored florals and geometrics. Toile de Jouy also educates the reader about historical textile production, design, and the history of France during difficult political times.

   The Manufacture Royale de Jouy, which produced these fine fabrics, opened for business in 1760 with just three employees. During it's 83 years in business The Manufacture Royale de Jouy accomplished the Herculean task of creating and printing 30,000 patterns. Famous artists of the day were courted to produce patterns and they accepted because the work had high visibility and was well paid. So popular were the fabrics that the annual receipts made it the second largest factory in France.

   Always a fine and expensive product, toile was personally selected by Marie Antoinette and Napoleon for interior decoration in their palaces and stately homes. To attest to the brilliance and timeless character of the original designs many are still available from contemporary suppliers such as Pierre Frey, Brunschweig and Fils, Maison Georges Le Manach, Casal-Amelie Prevot, Braquenie, and other manufacturers.

No comments about Shocking Life.

1 comments about Gruau.

1. This is definatly the best small book I purchased this year. I was truly amazed at how and what is compiled in this book. Gruau's work is perfectly exhibited. There is much more Gruau out there but I feel this is a great starter for anyone who has just discoverd this extraordinary illustrator.

2 comments about Fashion Design Drawing And Presentation.

1. This book has a few good ideas and is okay for a general reference but overall I think there are better books out there. I do not recommend this book - it is mostly fluff.



2. The book does not demonstrate how to use colors.

No comments about Bless: Celebrating 10 Years of Themelessness: N00 - N29.