Art and Design - Fashion

The essential grooming guide for the bearded or moustachioed gentleman

The British have always been concerned about accent, appearance and class, but at no time during the twentieth century was 'keeping up appearances' more important than during the 1920s and 1930s. From the impecunious youth anxious to create a favourable impression at the local tennis club dance to female office workers advised by the Daily Mail that women in business kept 'their position partly, if not chiefly, by appearance', we peer into the intimate lives and anxieties of the middle classes as they dressed to impress. Choices we... read more

If you just can't decide what to wear, this enlightening guide will lead you through the diverse and sometimes contradictory aspects of fashion in a series of lively, entertaining and thoughtful essays from prominent philosophers and writers. * A unique and enlightening insight into the underlying philosophy behind the power of fashion * Contributions address issues in fashion from a variety of viewpoints, including aesthetics, the nature of fashion and fashionability, ethics, gender and identity politics, and design * Includes a f... read more

"Do you browse through vintage or retro clothes at flea markets and wish you had the knack to breathe new life into the dated frocks, skirts and smocks?br / Whether you've been trotting out in vintage forever, or you've come late to the vintage trend, quality vintage pieces are a modern staple of every woman's wardrobe for their unique beauty and flair. But how do you find the best vintage pieces, or know them when you see them? And how can you customise and wear them, without looking dated?br / Crafter, fashionista and vintage vix... read more

Fashion Design Essentials features the fundamental principles of fashion design from choosing fabrics and textiles, to drawing techniques, to predicting style and color trends, and the research involved. One hundred illustrated principles ranging from research and design to choosing materials, spotting fashion trends, working with suppliers, design techniques and finishes, and more are included.

Style supremo Gok Wan is back to help you build up your perfect capsule wardrobe. The best news is that most of it can come from the clothes you already own! Gok shows you how not to be a slave to your credit card by creating fabulous new looks from the classics you already have. You will love your look without breaking your bank balance. We all want to look and feel great, and clothes are a great way to give you that instant confidence boost. But how can you do this without spending a fortune? Simple! Throw open those closet door... read more

From Joanie's Marilyn Monroe-esque pencil skirts to Betty's classic Grace Kelly cupcake dresses, the clothes worn by the characters of the phenomenal "Mad Men" have captivated fans everywhere. Now, women are trading in their khakis for couture and their pumas for pumps. Finally, it's hip to dress well again. Emmy-Award winning costume designer Janie Bryant offers readers a peek into the dressing room of "Mad Men," revealing the design process behind the various characters' looks and showing every woman how to find her own leading l... read more

This ravishing book, uniquely illustrated with photographs of actual shoes, takes us on a remarkable tour of the shoe closets of the world over the last four centuries, exploring how major historical events, social change and industrialization have influenced styles and production. Faboulous images of conversation-starting shoes fill the pages and revealing commentaries inform the reader. An indispensable reference tool and a thing of beauty in itself, "The Seductive Shoe" is a must-have for any shoe or fashion addict or professional.

Curly girls of the world unite! Sixty-five percent of women have naturally curly hair, but for too long too many of these women have either been at a loss on how to care for their hair properly or, worse, have gone through life pretending they have straight hair. No more. Curls are definitely in - "Curl Up!" says Mademoiselle - and Lorraine Massey, a professional hairstylist and passionate proponent of curly hair, celebrates the curly girl way of life, from hair care to carefree attitude. Beginning with The Curly Girl's Twelve-Step... read more

Everyone in the fashion business needs to develop an essential survival skill: how to interpret the intelligence provided by the fashion forecasting industry, to anticipate and respond to emerging trends. Lavishly illustrated in full colour throughout, with clear and relevant explanations of the processes involved, "Fashion Forecasting" is for fashion students and young professionals who already have acquired some fashion knowledge and skills. The authors interviewed the key players within this exciting industry and provide here fa... read more

Decade by decade, the lavishly illustrated Vintage Jewellery recounts over 100 years of hsitory. Accompanied by archive images, fashion photography and specially commissioned photographs of period pieces, the most collectable and beautiful bracelets, necklaces, rings and brooches are showcased. The book concludes with a shopping guide, which offers pointers on sourcing and caring for original antique pieces.

Whether you're planning to look chic about town, off on a road trip, or just wanting to be organized, you're sure to find a bag design here to suit your needs. "Marie Claire Irresistible Bags" features 45 stylish designs from sophisticated evening purses and shoulder bags to laundry sacks and practical eco shoppers. Employing many of today's popular crafting techniques - sewing, knitting, crochet, applique and embroidery - and using a glorious array of different materials, from velvet, lace and wool to tweed, leather and canvas, th... read more

The representation of the body, and particularly the female body, provides a common thread through the activities of the Surrealists. In fashion photography and illustration, the body was manipulated, fetishized and irrecoverably changed. The mechanics of fashion promotion ensured that this new vision of the body gained general currency and the fashion magazine played an innovative role in promoting a new and often highly eroticised femininity. From the jewellery of Salvador Dali and the collections of Elsa Schiaparelli and Meret O... read more

In 1947 Christian Dior rocked the fashion world with his "New Look" which dominated post war fashion and firmly secured the name of his house in the minds of the public and the fashion industry. He drew on historical models of femininity and utilized the unique skills of Parisian haute couture in textiles, embroidery, cutting and sewing techniques to produce stunning designs that captured the new mood of optimism after the war. Dior also designed and marketed ready-made luxe lines and broke new ground by creating and controlling in... read more

A must for any fashion student, this book provides an in-depth review of the wide-ranging career options available in the fashion and textile industry, profiling over fifty careers that span the creative, technical, retail and media fields. Clearly defined job profiles are accompanied by interviews with people employed in the industry. Breaking into the fashion industry can be very difficult for newly qualified graduates and young designers due to the high number of students graduating each year and the competitive nature of the bu... read more

From the glamour of the 30s to the extremes of the 80s, this volume offers an impressive pictorial overview of the fashion world of the entire twentieth century.