Reviews (31)

Some Instructions Inadequate
I purchased this book as my figure has changed and I needed to re-do my basic slopers.The pattern design books I currently have did not cover trousers so I was delighted to finda new book that was apparently so comprehensive.
Finally !Best value for my dollar
I received this book yesterday and read the first 100 pages.I've sewn all my life and consider myself an advanced seamstress.I've sewn and made my own patterns for childrens' heirloom, business suits, and now enjoy making (jazz) dance costumes.I'm the one in line at the fabric store buying ten patterns, just to combine different details and features in different sizes, especially if sewing for a group.I probably own hundreds of patterns and almost that many books.For me, this book will pay for itself many times over.It isn't a sewing "how to" book and it wouldn't be the first book for a beginner.The reader should be familiar or use other reference books for actual garment construction techniques.I've bought other, less expensive sewing books to learn pattern manipulation and fitting techniques.I put off the purchase of this book, being put off by its price.But, finally!This book is so inspiring and liberating. In just the first 100 pages, I've gotten through the basic patternmaking and dart manipulation.I think I may never have to buy another pattern again !This is definitely a must have for the serious sewing enthusiast.

Designs by Sharon
This book was used during a 12 week class I attended for Patternmaking.It is very thorough and is an excellent reference for just about any type of pattern one could desire to make.I learned a great deal using the book as a reference guide while I studied the various fundamental components to patternmaking.However, it can be a little intimidating if used as a self-study text.This issue could have been solved if there had been an answer section for the various exercises that accompanied each chapter.Many of the students in our class felt it was a text designed for those enrolled in a formal college level class, i.e., it oftened assumed reader knowledge beyond that expected of a lay person. (Everyone in our class was required to be at the advanced level of sewing experience.)Some of the exercises were made more difficult because the technique to design a sample pattern was in a later chapter, not having been covered in the one just studied.Overall,though,it is a good reference and certainly belongs in the personal library of any serious home sewer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Decorating - General    3. Design - General    4. Dressmaking    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Fashion    7. General    8. Pattern design    9. Art / Design / General    10. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    11. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (11)

Amazing
This book provides answers to unanswered questions and goes into subjects not covered in Fashion School. ;) I would sugest this book to any on in the fashion industry or still in school.It will help you grasp a better understanding of the when, why, and how things are done.

This is a great book for someone starting out
This book is ideal for someone coming into the industry with little to no knowledge. It provides a lot of tips to help one avoid re-inventing the wheel.

The Fashion Designer Survival Guide
my friend, for whose birthday i purchased this book, is delighted and learning so much needed info. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Career/Job    4. Careers - General    5. Careers - Other Specific Fields    6. Entrepreneurship    7. Fashion    8. Fashion designers    9. Fashion merchandising    10. Management    11. New Business Enterprises    12. Business & Economics / General    13. Fashion & beauty industries    14. Fashion design    15. Small businesses & self-employed   

Editorial Review

From its first issue in 1939, Read more

Reviews (4)

A Compilation of Glamour Do's and Don'ts
This book is filled with current information about dressing and style.It's useful because it shows the reader, using many photos, the do's and don'ts of dressing well--and not so well.It's hard to believe some of those don'ts!
Will be helpful for many
Check it out.It is packed with a good advice

I am keeping it for myself!!!!
My girlfriend loves fashion magazines and clothing.For her birthday I decided to get her this book.I got it in the mail today and cannot put the book down.The book is basically the title.Every girl should have this as their fashion bible.. It shows you what is in style, and how to wear clothing to flatter your specific body type..I am ordering one for myself.It is a wonderful gift for any girl that loves clothes!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - General    2. Fashion    3. Fashion & Grooming    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Personal & Practical Guides    7. Fashion design    8. Health & Fitness / Beauty & Grooming    9. Personal appearance & beauty care   

Reviews (2)

Fun book!
Who ever knew fashion could be so scandalous? As one who is not so fashion savvy, Alicia Drake's book told of a world quite its own, while entertaining me with the drama of the two powers colliding.
Dishy AND intelligent
Read an advance copy of this book - it is a delight...sex, drugs and fashion are always a thrill to read about but thedetails(some quite dishy) evoke a Paris, well, a Paris I wish I had been able to belong to - (and to hell with the consequences!)Really well written and researched, which makes the gossip tasty but the information fascinating. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. European    4. Fashion    5. Folklore & Mythology    6. History - Contemporary (1945- )    7. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (1)

Good for the 20-35 year old fashionista on a budget
This book shows you how to take one piece and use it four ways, whether skirt, jacket or pants, and then how to accessorize. There is a section on undergarments, too. In front of the book, you'll find a bookmark with a list of essentials to buy, so take this with you when you shop. In the back of the book is a workbook for lists of things your friends like, how to choose what to keep in your closet and other helpful hints.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Beauty & Grooming - General    4. Fashion    5. Art / Fashion    6. Personal appearance & beauty care   

Reviews (50)

4.5 stars for the style gurus...
Let me start by saying that this is based on a show that I love but I put off buying this book because I wasn't really sure what to expect from it, especially when quite a few of the reviews said that only a few pages were devoted to each body type and so forth. Well yes, only a few pages were devoted to each type, but there were A LOT of types portrayed (more so than in any other book of this kind I'd ever seen before), and multiply that by three since they all came in petite, average height, and tall. In reality, since none of us fits into ONE type of body, I got much more information than one could've thought. For example, I'm curvy and petite but there were some suggestions from the larger on bottom section that I can definitely use to my advantage... and this is just the beginning, I went on picking up useful pointers from all over. Sure, you're definitely more of one certain body type than all the others and that's where you'll find the majority of your advice, but do browse through all the book because the useful tips are everywhere and you're bound to pick them up from all over, not just YOUR four or five pages.
In details...
This book offers great details how to dress YOUR body now, not after you lose a few pounds or gain some!
Great, but could use improvemet
Like many of the other reviewers, I love Stacy and Clinton's TV show, and it has helped me greatly in weeding out pieces in my wardrobe and buying new clothes to replace them.When I discovered that they had published a book, I rented it from the local library immediately.In a way, I am glad I rented it rather than purchasing it.
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Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Clothing and dress    3. Consumer Health    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Fashion    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Psychological aspects    8. Costume    9. Self-Help & Practical Interests    10. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (33)

Dress Sence 101
The book is good, and takes a couple of evenings to go through. It has what many "men's" magazines lack in the "how to fit" the right clothes with the right person, and insight into patterns, texture and color. If you haven't read a couple of issues of "men's" magazines and have never dressed formally and intend to do so you better read this or you will stick out of the crowd like a sore thumb. The book is comprehensive but could have included more, such as "adventurous" without looking old-fashioned (the old scarf to hide a sagging throat), for me it lacked clarity in the shoe department especially in the color section (unless black, dark tan and suede are the only choices...). The smart/casual section was good, but a clear miss in the sporty casual department where many of the <40 tend to dress much of their time and forced the need to live in a cold weather climate - lots of layers. Although I did not like the cartoon like drawings, the pictures where interesting to see how different nationalities have used clothes with different "shape's" in the past, although many are old Hollywood stars their shirts did seem to be somewhat oversized.

Don't Leave Home Without It!
This is simply the best book on this subject to date. Mr. Flusser has given men (and the women who are tired of being ashamed of them) an exhaustive and reliable reference to lean on.From the purchase of quality clothing, to its proper wear and maintenance, he gives a thorough yet light-hearted overview of how to present oneself in civilized society.
eh
a good book on men's fashion and explains choosing a suit in great detail as it relates to height, complexion, hair and eye color as well as build. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Beauty & Grooming - General    3. Fashion    4. Fashion & Grooming    5. Men's clothing    6. Personal & Practical Guides    7. Art / Fashion    8. Fashion design    9. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    10. Personal appearance & beauty care   

Reviews (60)

What about us boyish rectangular shaped women?
I was so looking forward to this book, but I ended up disappointed. There was good information to be had in spite of my body type not being defined or even mentioned once.I ended up taking tips from body type A and C as those seemed to most address my porpotions. I am tall, thin, with a narrow frame and small-breasted.

Good resource
This is a very good book about developing your own style.A lot of women would benefit from reading it.It's contemporary and relevant, well-written and practical.

From Funky to Fashionista
This truly is a great guide for woman who want pointers on how to improve their look.It takes you back to the basics: consider your shape first, then your measurements and lastly the latest trend.Since I am not into the latest trend (I'm more classic), I desperately needed to know what shape category I fell.I'm an obscure "C."This tidbit of information is crucial for me when I step into the store.It leads me in the right path.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    3. Beauty, Personal    4. Clothing and dress    5. Consumer Health    6. Diet / Health / Fitness    7. Fashion    8. Image consultants    9. Personal & Practical Guides    10. Personal appearance    11. Fashion design    12. Reference / Personal & Practical Guides    13. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (4)

Wow! Maybe I'm scary!
I really looked forward to ordering this book after reading the blurb about it & couldn't wait to read it when it arrived. The author is absolutely gorgeous & looks fabulous in the pictures, but after reading it I felt as though it was intended fora much older person than myself (I'm in my 40"s). She essentially says not to wear a bathing suit unless you're actually going to swim, hide all skin as it's aged & crepey, cover up - you're not your daughter! In checking to see what part of the country she's from I discovered she lives in California like me,where a lot of the women are in very good shape without horrible skin & hopefully look very attractive showing a little skin somewhere. While
At last!
Tired of being called a Baby Boomer or worse? Christine Schwab has given us a new name that is everything we aspire to be: fun, sassy, fashion savvy. We are Grown-up Girls! In her latest book, Christine gives advice to the fashion-wary and applauds the fashion-aware with her message that it is possible to become ageless rather than older.This inspiring book is so much more than a list of 'dos and don'ts'. Another wonderful surprise-besides the practical advice, colorful layout, and fun photos- are the philosophical gems Christine shares. A must read for any woman, whether she is 'grown-up' or not!

FABULOUS!!
This is the greatest fashion/beauty book to come along in years.Christine Schwab is full of fresh and amazing ideas and she makes you feel like she's telling you about them over a cappuccino in her living room!It's a great read, full of new and interesting fashion/beauty ideas for the Grown Up Girl and also some tried and true advice that Christine has given us over the years on her many TV appearances (we can't hear these things enough girls!).But more than that, the book is full of honest and inspiring thoughts about life - life as a Grown Up Girl and life in general - all from someone who has seen so many sides of life and from such a unique perspective.After reading this book, I was so inspired to make positive changes - in my appearance and in my life!I highly recommend this for Grown Up Girls (and not-so-Grown Up Girls too!).A wonderful, wonderful book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - General    2. Beauty, Personal    3. Clothing    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Fashion    6. Fashion & Grooming    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Middle-aged women    10. Women's clothing    11. Health & Fitness / Beauty & Grooming    12. Personal appearance & beauty care   

Reviews (3)

very informartive!
This book contains allot of basic information on draping. The instructions are thorough and are acompanied by visuals, for extra comprehension. It also has a section dedicated to draping knits, a real plus! My understanding of the draping method, and therefore my skill, has improved on account of this book.

Exactly what you need to know
I studied at FIT in NY, and this was required reading for my first draping course.It seems that a careful read of this book alone could have taught me what I needed to know.It takes practice, but boy, if you want perfect results, follow this book to the letter and it will get you there!

It was excellent
beautifu ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Decorating - General    4. Design - General    5. Dressmaking    6. Fashion    7. Fashion design    8. General    9. Pattern design    10. Textile Fabrics    11. Art / Design / General   

Reviews (2)

The Art of Fashion Draping
Good information in general, but there a lot of instructions that are unclear and/or EXTREMELY poorly edited (spelling/grammar mistakes etc). The book itself is not good quality and pages are already starting to fall out of my barely-month-old copy.
good intro to draping
Excellent intro for novice sewers as a text, or experienced sewers wanting to learn draping skills. Covers tools/equipment, terms/elements of draping, the basic bodice/skirt/shift/sleeve, princess bodice/dress, skirtvariations, pants, sleeve and armhole variations, collars, cowl necks, yokevariations, knits, and a few intermediate fashion features like sculpturedpleats, bias, boned bustier, ruffles/flounces/gathering, and peplums. Tofollow the exercises, you must have a dress form (preferrably professional)to work with. But with numbered steps giving a very simplified process, andthe very clear and numerous b/w diagrams, you should be able to teachyourself the rudiments of draping unless you are also a beginner at sewing.As a veteran sewer and novice draper, I received this as a textbook for myfirst draping class and appreciated it as a reference. But it's nosubstitute for a beginning sewing class. I would strongly recommend thisfor home sewers ready to move beyond commercial patterns or for first yearfashion students. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Fashion    3. General    4. Reference    5. Fashion design   

Reviews (27)

Great For Technical Specifications/Flats
I can say that Chapters Four and Five alone is worth their weight in gold. This book is used on a daily basis by our CAD department as a reference when making flat sketches for specs.To take a designer's drawing or a sample of the garment and turn it into detailed, flat sketches takes skills.That particular section is great when it comes to drawing details for sewing such as types of stitching, where pleats/folds/darts should go, placements of notions/trimmings, etc.Flat sketching for specs is very important when a garment is produced in huge quantities by numerous operators. There's also a section in the front on proportion drawing using the croquis which is also very helpful. Since the company I work for produces a wide range of theatrical costumes that has tons and tons of details (think odd shapes and sizes), this book has come to the rescue many times.
Don't buy this book
I've had this book for awhile and I've noticed that some of the drawings, especially the fashion illustrations look rather unprofessional.There are drawings, renderings, that you would never see in fashion world. Some of the drawings look like they are fine art life drawings; others look very much like student work, some look just badly drawn and should not be shown as explemary work for those who wish to learn.I think that they are better books out there and this is not one of them.

Are U Kidding Me!!!
Anyone who says this book is a waist of your dollar is obviously not looking at this book closely.The art work is incredible and the attention to deatil is unrivaled.9 HEADS is one of the most incredible books in regards to fashion sketching I have ever seen.If you are looking to improve your know how and skill of fashion sketching I highly recommend this book.It's worth every penny.By the way, the drawings are not cartoonish nor are they amateurish.I doubt anyone at Parsons would look down on this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design - General    4. Drawing    5. Fashion    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Art / Design / General    8. Drawing & drawings    9. Fashion design   

Reviews (64)

What you wear can change your life
This book is really fantastic.These two ladies have a way of speak writing which is my way of saying that they write exactly as they speak. It comes across very clearly and naturally.I have picked up heaps of useful tips and it makes you realise that is not about dressing the perfect body but about making the most of your assets and minimizing your less flattering physical attributes.
Laughing your way to looking good
Trinny and Susannah are fantastic at telling you exactly what will work on your body type. they show the funky and elegant. In addition to the great advice they couch it in wonderful irreverent humor. enjoy.

Good, But Not All-Purpose
I love the way Trinny and Susannah look at color. Their advice for matching colors and finding colors that work for you is second to none. They have a chapter where there is a page for each color. They show several shades of that color and for each shade, they show two complimentary colors and one contrasting color. They also offer good underwear, travel and accessory advice, which can be quite useful.
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Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Consumer Health    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Psychological aspects    7. Women's clothing    8. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (11)

not beautiful, but certainly effective and fun
This book is set up much like a textbook and would work well for an independent study in design. It has clearly organized chapters with projects at the end of each; the projects work on a theoretical and practical basis, and allow the student to employ a hands-on approach. It is fun, engaging, easy to follow, and manages to be technical without feeling pompous. It takes the designer from inspiration and mood boards to the final designs and a cohesive line. It breaks down the process into smaller tasks in the most fun way I have yet seen.
Too basic
I was looking for a more detail book and I found this one too basic.

made the right decision
i have been going to community college for a while now and i have always wanted to be creative so i decided to go to Institute of Design and Technology for fashion design i start 06/10/2006 and bought this book to inspire me. Well in reading this book i know that i have made the right decision for myself. And actually cant wait to start even though i was a little intimated at first due to no experience reading this book has opened up many possiblties. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Commercial - Fashion Design    4. Design - Textile & Costume    5. Fashion    6. Fashion drawing    7. Study & Teaching    8. Techniques - Drawing - Specific Subjects    9. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (5)

Thorough Guide to Fashion Drawing
This book is a thorough guide for learning the art of fashion design illustration. The book features a plethora of examples to teach how to draw faces and poses in correct proportion, as seen in professional fashion illustrations. The examples in the book are large, facilitating the use of tracings prior to free-hand drawing. Anyone who wants to learn fashion design, especially teenagers interested in the field, will find this book an invaluable asset.

cool
i thought this book was great and easy to read you learn alot from just copying and praticing your drawing technigues, its amazing and loved the art.its a must buy for a fashion student or for some interstead in fashion illustration.

Better than expected!
I ordered this book as a hobby figuring that the 200+ pages must have some decent methods to improve my drawing skills. I have been looking for a fashion design instruction book for a long time now.This is certainly an elusive topic to find information on -- even on the web I couldn't find any website that offered any helpful instructions.I have never been able to find anything suitable, especially since I didn't want to invest a lot.This book was a good price that I didn't think would be too much of a loss if I didn't find it useful.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art Forms, Treatments & Subjects    4. Design - Textile & Costume    5. Fashion    6. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    7. Techniques - Drawing - Specific Subjects    8. Techniques - General   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Commercial - Fashion Design    5. Fashion    6. Fashion design    7. Gucci (Firm)    8. History    9. Italy    10. Photography Of Specific Subjects    11. Subjects & Themes - Fashion    12. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (5)

Coco Chanel: The French self-made woman
From an orphanage in France to the Ritz hotel in Paris, Coco Chanel created an entire style empire that lives on. A French fasionista version of Eva Peron for the couture world. Coco remains an icon and legend.

A designer of authentic beauty
This is a substantial book in both size and pictorial content.
COCO
Mademoiselle Chanel was quite a woman.She totally invented herself, she was her best creation.This book does a fine job of showing off the clothes that made her famous and also offers many pictures of the singular Coco.The layout of the book is unique and took some getting use to, but it is informative and quite interesting.It is amazing all the men she was reportedly engaged with, she was not what one would call beautiful, but the woman had style and she knew knew how to work powerful men, a priceless talent in her day and unfortunitely to this day.Really a very good book on an amazing woman. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1883-1971    2. Art    3. Artists, Architects, Photographers    4. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    5. Biography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Chanel, Coco,    8. Fashion    9. Fashion designers    10. France    11. General    12. Pictorial works    13. Women    14. Women fashion designers    15. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (4)

thoroughly covered material
I used this textbook in a college course called Survey of the Fashion Industry. The text covers all aspects of merchandising, with a strong focus on fashion design (entire chapters on textiles, etc). Good photos and lots of material!

Fashion : From Concept to Consumer (8th Edition) by Gini Stephens Frings [Hardcover]
Quality book. Received in a timely manner.

The best
Plain and simple this is the best fashion book to study! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Clothing trade    4. Decorating - General    5. Design - General    6. Development - Business Development    7. Fashion    8. Fashion merchandising    9. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Art / Design / General    12. Clothing & footware manufacture   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (2)

Not only Fendi.
Information correction.The 20 cards are not only from Fendi, they also contain Dior, Chanel, GUCCI, Prada...etc. You will like it very much.

It is the best visionaire in this two years
I started collecting visionaire two years ago, I think #33, Touch, is the best issue throughout these two years. (It is even better than LV #30). The brushed golden metal box is shiny and grand. There are 20 Fendi 2000/2001 fashion desigen collection image cards, every card is produced by different printing techniques, for instance, foil-stamping, sculpt-embossing, 3D...etc, It is creative and beautiful. A wearable pony skin scarf is used for packing the 20 cards in order to put them inside the golden metal box. This scarf is definitely the image of Fendi fashion style.Both scarf, golden box and image card are very match in colour and style.It is a perfect art design except it is a little bit expensive. (Actually, I really hope to cancel half star of the 5 I rated above because of the higher price)However, I still don't know how to wear the scarf. Anyway, if you like collecting beautiful creative design product and you can afford, buy it. I think you will like it because it is a full marks-5 star product. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    3. Consumer Health    4. Fashion   

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars & Diaries    3. Fashion    4. Non-Classifiable    5. Photography / Fashion    6. Stationery items