Reviews (1)

A View Inside A Shrine to Self
The Windsors, while they were living, epitomized style, glamour, and wit. Ultimately theirs was a wasted life, empty of meaning in the end. From the heady days of their scandalous romance, life was all downhill, a private struggle to conserve their dignity in the aftermath of the abdication. To fill this emptiness and lack of purpose in life, the Duchess obsessed on perfection; of herself, of the things she collected and of the table she set. The Windsor's sous chef spent hours sorting salad leaves into leaves of exactly the same size to be set before their guests. Their relationship was a hollow recreation of the childhood the Duke never could leave behind. Moulin de la Tuilerie, their country home outside of Paris, was the York Cottage of Edward's youth reborn. Wallis herself was Queen Mary, obsessively arranging the display of small objets and cosseting the little boy who was King. A long time servant said, "They had nothing and no-one. They were just two lonely old people." Suzy Menkes takes the reader on an interesting tour through not only of the tangible objects of this relationship, but of the relationship itself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1896-    2. 20th century    3. Biography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Duchess of,    6. Duke of,    7. Fashion    8. General    9. Great Britain    10. Great Britain - History - 20th Century    11. History    12. Kings and rulers    13. Nobility    14. Photography    15. Windsor, Edward,    16. Windsor, Wallis Warfield,    17. Marriage    18. Windsor, Edward    19. Windsor, Wallis Warfield   

Reviews (4)

terrific look at Marie Antoinette through her fashion
This is a terrific look at Marie Antoinette through the fashion she wore that defied French society over the objections of the aristocracy yet set trends with these same nay-sayers imitating or parodying the monarch while the hookers and madams copied her.The premise of Caroline Weber's fashionable biography is that the doomed queen was her own person from the time at fourteen she first sat on the throne to her last dance with Madam Guillotine.This book is well written and fascinating and fans of the French Revolution era will be enthralled by the detailed accounts especially the haunting all in white final ride to the execution as the author uses the clothing to symbolize the extravagance and ruin of a regime.With a salute to Arnold's Clothing Theory, Caroline Weber provides a fresh look at this violent period through the wardrobe of its most representative figure.
a tour-de-force!
I am glad that Carrie Weber's fascinating book "Queen of Fashion" is making a headway into American and Canadian popular culture to counteract some of the false information that will undoubtedly be generated by the Coppola film. No, Marie-Antoinette was not an empty-headedteenage spendthrift just trying to have fun. There was a method to her "madness." In spite of her joie-de-vivre, she was a Habsburg, and the Habsburgs always knew how to wield power. Weber, through anecdotes and vivid descriptions shows how the ill-fated queen used costume throughout her life to make a statement, which ultimately shaped her destiny. She dressed stylishly as only former courtesans had dressed to show that she and no other was her husband's mistress.An excellent book!

Sartorial savoir-faire
"Queen of Fashion" is a stylish and engaging tour de force that offers a truly original perspective on the life of France's ill-fated queen. In her absorbing and rigorously researched account of Marie Antoinette's life, Weber convincingly shows that the history of the queen's wardrobe and the court politics at Versailles are inextricably interwoven threads of French history. The stylish essence of this book is its ability to communicate the complexity of the period's politics with an accessibility and elegance that will appeal to a broad range of readers. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of fashion or France. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1755-1793    2. 18th century    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Clothing    5. Courts and courtiers    6. Europe - France    7. Fashion    8. France    9. Historical - General    10. History    11. History: World    12. Marie Antoinette,    13. Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France,    14. Royalty    15. History / France   

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 (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 (6)

The recipient loved it
I bought this as a gift for a friend who helped a great deal with my wedding, advising me of dress styles, hair styles, fashion from this era, dances, music, food, and everything in between, as well as arranging all the flowers for the wedding!She was a godsend!When I gave her the book, her jaw dropped and she was so excited to get it... she said she had been wanting it forever.As I consider her quite knowledgeable about the subject matter of this book, and as it came highly recommended by her, I would say that it's a great book to have if this is something you are interested in as a serious hobby or more.

The best place to start for Elizabethan Costuming
This is one of the best books ever written on the subject of Elizabethan Costuming.It mainly contains all of the details of Queen Elizabeth I wardrobe but it has unique points in the society that surrounded the dresses.This book helps to explain the Gloriana image that became so popular and it helps us to understand all the little details that went into the dress of the period.Detailing costumes using portraits and explaining how the fashion progressed makes this book a must for anyone interested in Renaissance Faires and the nobility.The only drawback is that very very few of the portraits and pictures are in color.I think a total of about 7 are in color the rest is in black and white. The only way to make this book more appealing and usable would be to put all of the portraits and pictures in color, but that would make the book even more expensive.After this must have book the 2nd on the shelf should be a J. Hunniset book (the lady who did all the costuming for Elizabeth R and The Six Wives of Henry the VIII produced by BBC).Next, any Janet Arnold book.Last, would be the Norris book:Tudor Costuming and Fashion (although most of this book is very outdated it is nice to look at).All of these are must haves and will make a well rounded library.Dispite the high price of the book it is worth posessing.Enjoy.

Such An Amazing Resource!
For the historical costumer focused on 16th century clothing, this is the "bible" hands down.Big, expensive, and filled with the usual detail that is the hallmark of Janet Arnold, this is one very worthwhile investment for the serious costumer. This book has one tiny drawback, in that it focuses entirely on women's fashion in the 16th century as viewed through the wardrobe accounts of Queen Elizabeth I and some of her contemporaries.Therefore, it has nothing to say on the topic of men's clothing, which is an unfortunately neglected aspect of 16th century research.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1533-1603    2. 16th century    3. Clothing    4. Costume    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Design - Textile & Costume    7. Elizabeth    8. Europe - Great Britain - General    9. Great Britain    10. History    11. Hobbies/Crafts    12. Performing Arts    13. Queen of England,    14. Reference    15. Sewing    16. Sources    17. Theater - Stagecraft    18. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    19. Fashion design    20. Social history    21. United Kingdom, Great Britain    22. c 1600 to c 1700   

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. Commercial - Fashion Design    4. Fashion    5. Art / Design / General    6. Fashion design    7. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

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 (25)

Too Awesome!!!
I couldn't stop touching the pages of this book!!The colors and designs are so rich and full of life. This is truly the best book of Nancy's work, both in writing and artistic work!A must own!!!
Nancy Crow
As with everything she does, Nancy Crow has done an intensive,comprehensive and excellent job with her recently released book.
Nancy's Big, Beautiful Book
This new book covers the spectrum from gorgeous coffee table art book to instruction on how to grow as an artist and a person.Nancy has struggled through the learning curve in a systematic and logical way, and shown others by example how to develop their personal talents and skills as fabric artists.Of course, the quilts are well beyond wonderful and the glimpes into her private life are inspiring.I wonder what comes next from Nancy Crow! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1943-    2. 20th century    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Crow, Nancy,    6. Design - Textile & Costume    7. History    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Quilt Making    10. Quilts    11. Quilts & Quilting    12. Themes, motives    13. United States    14. Crafts & Hobbies / Quilts & Quilting    15. Needlecraft art (eg lace, quilts, etc as art objects)   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    4. Fashion    5. History - Contemporary (1945- )    6. Nudes & Erotic    7. Fashion design    8. Photographs: collections   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Clothing Design    4. Decorating - General    5. Design - General    6. Fashion    7. Fashion design    8. Art / Design / General    9. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (5)

"Du Marivaudage" or about Seduction in french style fashion and interiors
This is a book you will enjoy. It will appeal to anyone interested in decorative arts in France between 1750 and 1789. The fashion focuses on dress and its aesthetic interplay with art, furniture, and the decorative arts of the period. Presented in a dramatic setting, the beautiful pictures of the Metropolitan Museum exhibition explore the dressed body's spatial negotiation of the 18th-century interior as a choreography of seduction and erotic play.

Stunning collection of costume photos
Beautiful full color photographs of the Met's Louis XIV's clothing collection and furniture.Manequines are dressed in beautiful originals and posed in drawing rooms and boudoirs in real life poses, flirting, playing piano, having their hair done, playing cards.The photographs are very well done, clear and the detail pieces will be a boon to any costumer.I highly recommend this book for costumers and other historical clothing buffs.

Fusion of Fashion and Style, done with amazing grace
When I was young, I read a biography for children about the tragic Marie Antoinette, last queen of France, and found myself enthralled by the exquisite decorative arts of the time. It was a culture that viewed that every surface and substance was an opportunity to embellish and use. Sometimes the end results were overblown, but also managed to stay on the edge of good taste.
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Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Clothing and dress    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    6. Design    7. Design - Decorative    8. European    9. Exhibitions    10. Fashion    11. France    12. Furniture    13. History    14. History - General    15. Metropolitan Museum Of Art - Exhibition Catalogs    16. Art / Design / Decorative    17. Fashion design    18. Furniture & cabinetmaking    19. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (6)

WAY TOO EXPENSIVE...
WAY TOO EXPENSIVE...ILLUSTRATIONS ARE JUST AS GOOD AS WHAT YOU FIND ONLINE...EBAY EVEN.HISTORY IS HIGHLY INFORMATIVE, HOWEVER. THANKS.

Beautiful.
Fantastic history and beautiful illustrations. It has almost everything you've wanted to know about Louis Vuitton.
Full of History
This book is filled with the history of the company from the person, Louis Vuitton's childhood, up through the generations that came after him.There are pictures of LV pieces scattered throughout the book.Not enough for those of us who love to look at LV bags and luggage.Overall a great addition to a collectors collection.The book retails in the boutique for $135. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Business    3. Business & Economics    4. Business History    5. Business/Economics    6. Corporate & Business History - General    7. Design    8. Fashion    9. History    10. Infrastructure    11. Luggage    12. Rich & Famous    13. Trunks (Luggage)    14. Art / Fashion    15. History of specific subjects    16. Product design   

Editorial Review

Madeleine Vionnet's greatest distinction as a designer was her discovery of the bias cut. Cutting patterns along the bias forces the fabric to cling to the body and move with it, which created her trademark look of draped, form-conscious clothing. When designer Issey Miyake first saw a Vionnet dress, it was like the first time he saw Read more

Reviews (17)

Fashion Architect
Being an architect (of buildings) I appreciate Madeleine Vionnet's approach to clothing "architecture."It is a pleasure analyzing the patterns and looking at the results in the gowns.Some of the gowns are very contemporary-looking and would be appropriate on today's "red carpet" events.It is a worthy and significant addition to any library

Designer skilled beyond belief
I have always admired photos of Vionnet's gowns.Not until I read this book did I have the slightest inkling of the genius in her work.She was truly an architect of clothing for the body.The book shows photos of each garment accompanied by pattern illustrations to show how the garment was constructed.Pure amazement.A wonderful book to give to anyone working with fabric, from fiber artists to homemakers.
Inspiring!
Though I have not read this book through I have paged through completely and it is a wonder visually.It has amazing photos along with patterns and history of many of Vionnet's creations.This book can be enjoyed by pattern makers, designers, history buffs and clothes horses.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Biography    4. Commercial - Fashion Design    5. Dressmaking    6. Fashion    7. Fashion design    8. France    9. History    10. Patterns    11. Vionnet, Madeleine    12. Women costume designers    13. Biography: general    14. Photography / General   

Subjects:  1. 1945-1970    2. 20th century    3. Celebrities    4. Fashion    5. History    6. History - General History    7. Nineteen sixties    8. Photo Essays    9. Pictorial works    10. Popular Culture    11. Social life and customs    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century    14. Art / General   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Commercial - Fashion Design    4. Fashion    5. History - General    6. Photography Of Specific Subjects    7. Subjects & Themes - Fashion    8. Art / Fashion    9. Fashion; biography   

Subjects:  1. Costume    2. Electronic Apparatus And Devices    3. Electronic Circuits    4. Electronic apparatus and appliances    5. Electronics    6. Electronics - Circuits - General    7. Electronics - General    8. History    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Technology    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Circuits & components    13. Technology / Electronics / General   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Private    4. Design - Textile & Costume    5. Fashion    6. History - General    7. Costume    8. History of specific subjects   

Reviews (4)

GreatRead, Interesting Book
Being a 3rd generation garmento, I found this book very interesting.Denim has gone from being a blue-collar item
Great Book
James Sullivan covers the history of jeans from the creation of denim to the Levi's I'm wearing today.The book is well researched; full of great information and things I never knew about the jeans industry.It brought clarity to much of what went on in the late 70's and early 80's when designer jeans came about.A fun look at America's cultural history.Really a great read.

Sticky Fingers
Regardless of what denomination Brigham Young was when he did or didn't call jeans 'fornication pants', jeans ARE sexy and--as everyone knows--sex sells. Sullivan does a great job of tracing the arc of this most iconic piece of American clothing from simple work gear to high fashion (and big business) must-have. A stylish and functional bit of Americana, much like jeans themselves; I love the blue type and design. My only complaint is that "Jeans" doesn't come with a soundtrack, but then again I guess we each have our own. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Fashion    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Jeans (Clothing)    6. Popular Culture - General    7. Social History    8. Textile And Clothing Industries (Economic Aspects)    9. Fashion design    10. History / Social History    11. Popular culture    12. USA   

Reviews (9)

A huge disappointment to genuine fashionistas
I couldn't disagree more heartily with those who recommended this book as a "beautiful coffee table book." At this price and with this subject matter this could have been a truly amazing look at the history of the House of Chanel and it's transition from the early years of Coco to the present leadershiop of Karl Lagerfeld. The text is mediocre and the photos are terrible. The general visual quality of the book is absolutely reprehensible.The dresses are all reproduced in a poor quality "Liz Taylor in the White Diamonds commercial" fake fuzzy lens. There is not one really great photo of an actual garment in this entire book. As someone who saw the actual exhibit the book is based on, I feel the Metropolitan really missed on this one. The exhibit itself was magnificent, this poorly concieved book is a complete dud. Save your money for one of the many other books detailing the life and work of Coco Chanel.

FABULOUS BOOK
Well worth your money.Beautifully done.Not only is it a lovely coffee table book, it is a book you will look at many times.

A Complete Delight
The book is filled with detailed images of beautiful couture garments. A must have for anyone interested in fashion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1883-1971    2. 20th century    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Artists, Architects, Photographers    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Chanel, Coco,    8. Exhibitions    9. Fashion    10. Fashion design    11. France    12. General    13. History    14. Rich & Famous    15. Women    16. Women fashion designers    17. Art / General    18. Biography: general   

Reviews (9)

Vive La France!
Is not the words "Joie de Vivre" French for joy of life? Qui!
fluff history
Some more rigorous historical analysis would have turned this 'lite' read into something worthwhile.The crude translations of 17th-century France into modern-day America, irrespective of different economic systems and radically discrete cultures, turn what could have been an inspired thesis into the kind of chatter you'd expect to hear from grandma.

"stylish" social history
This was such a pleasant, historical read.I'm very interested in all things stylish, if not fashionable.This title interested me at once.It really describes how so many things we use today date back to the era of Louis XIV. Today's obsession with luxury goods really has its roots in France's history.Louis XIV wanted every aspect of his life, including those around him, to be luxurious.Today, many middle-class (and sometimes lower class) working person thinks they deserve a Louis Vuitton bag or Lexus SUV.Living in style is a privilege, but can be obtained with some creative thinking and budgeting, just as long as we have our priorities straight. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 17th century    2. Cookery, French    3. Customs & Traditions    4. Europe - France    5. Fashion    6. France    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. Louis    11. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    12. Popular Culture - General    13. Social History    14. Social Science    15. Social life and customs    16. Sociology    17. XIV,    18. Social Science / General