This book profiles costume designers who worked on Broadway between the 1915-16 and 1985-86 theatre seasons. The more than 1,000 biographies provide information about the designers' backgrounds and preparation. The profiles are followed by a chronological list of credits. Owen's introduction outlines the emergence of the profession. The text is enhanced by 100 illustrations of costumes by prolific and noteworthy designers of the twentieth century. These sketches, many of which have not been previously published, chronicle the history of costume design. The appendixes cover three major awards that have acknowledged the contributions of costume designers, among others, to the Broadway stage--the Tony, Marharam, and Donaldson awards. Recipients and plays are given in chronological order. The index alphabetically lists each play followed by the designer's name when that information is available.

Marilyn Monroe made history by standing over a subway grating in a white pleated halter dress designed by William Travilla. Hubert de Givenchy immortalized the Little Black Dress with a single opening scene in Breakfast at Tiffany's. A red nylon jacket signaled to audiences that James Dean was a Rebel Without a Cause. For more than a century, costume designers have left indelible impressions on moviegoers' minds. Yet until now, so little has been known about the designers themselves and their work to complement and enrich stories through fashion. Creating the Illusion presents the history of fashion on film, showcasing not only classic moments from film favorites, but a host of untold stories about the creative talent working behind the scenes to dress the stars from the silent era to the present day. Among the book's sixty-five designer profiles are Clare West, Howard Greer, Adrian, Walter Plunkett, Travis Banton, Irene, Edith Head, Cecil Beaton, Bob Mackie, and Colleen Atwood. The designers' stories are set against the backdrop of Hollywood: how they collaborated with great movie stars and filmmakers; how they maneuvered within the studio system; and how they came to design clot... [Read More]

This book highlights and showcases many of Adrian great costume and fashion designs from the 1920s through the 1950s. Not only are his timeless glamour gowns, period costumes, and amazing show-girl costumes shown from the movies, but also his impeccable suits and beautiful gowns from his private label. The ten years of Adrian Ltd. are summarized year-by-year, and his life with Janet Gaynor and his taste for decorating and art are described.

A landmark survey of the work of Isaac Mizrahi, a trailblazing and influential American fashion designer, artist, and entrepreneur Beginning with Isaac Mizrahi’s first fashion collection, which debuted to critical acclaim in 1986, and running though the present day, this stylish, lavishly illustrated book presents his signature couture collections. Mizrahi’s exuberant couture style is classic American, inventively reimagined. He pioneered the concept of “high/low” in fashion, and was the first high-end fashion designer to create an accessibly priced mass-market line. Mizrahi approached other complex issues through his designs, as well—mixing questions of beauty and taste with those of race, religion, class, and politics.    Although Mizrahi (b. 1961) is best known for his clothing, his work in theater, film, and television is also explored. The result is a spirited discourse on high versus low, modern glamour, and contemporary culture. Three essayists discuss Mizrahi’s place in fashion history, his close connection to contemporary art, and the performative nature of his designs. New photography brings Mizrahi’s fashions to life, and an interview with the artist offe... [Read More]

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute exhibition is the most spectacular event of its kind. With subjects that both reflect the zeitgeist and contribute to its creation, each exhibi­tion—from 2005’s Chanel, to 2011’s Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty and 2013’s Punk—creates a provocative and engaging narrative attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. The show’s opening-night gala, produced in collaboration with Vogue magazine and attended by the likes of Beyoncé, George Clooney, and Hillary Clinton, is regularly referred to as the Party of the Year.Covering the Costume Institute’s history and highlighting exhibitions of the 21st century curated by Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton, this book offers insider access of the first order. Anchored by photo­graphs from the exhibitions themselves in tandem with the Vogue fashion shoots they inspired, it also includes images of exhibited objects and party photos from the galas. Drawn from the extensive Vogue archives, the featured stories showcase the photographs of icons such as Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, and Craig McDean; the vision of legendary Vogue editors like Grace Coddington... [Read More]

It's the most important night of the year for costume designer Charlotte Fairfax and the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company—the annual fund raising performance at the country estate of the wealthy widow Paula Van Dusen. This year, the company will give a moonlight performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream as part of the wedding celebrations for Paula's daughter, Belinda, and her fiance Adrian. But then Hugh Hedley, family friend of the Van Dusens and Adrian's rival in the cutthroat world of high-end Manhattan real estate, is found murdered with a stolen prop from the play.Paula, desperate to keep her daughter's name of out of the paper, enlists Charlotte's help, despite the fact that Charlotte's already got her hands full amidst her costume design responsibilities and finding a home for the company's new theater school. But Charlotte nevertheless throws herself into an investigation of shady business deals, a missing dog, and long buried family secrets because "though she be but little, she is fierce!" Ill Met by Murder, the second in Elizabeth J. Duncan's compelling mystery series, will satisfy every Shakespeare and mystery lover alike.

A stunning look at the paradoxical relationship between the artisanal and the technological in fashion The complex and often ambiguous relationship between the hand crafted and the machine made is examined in this intriguing look at the ever-changing world of fashion and taste. Manus x Machina traces styles of dress from one-of-a-kind works and haute couture created by highly skilled artisans, through the introduction of industrial manufacturing, to extraordinary recent technological advancements applied to high fashion, such as 3D printing, laser cutting, and computer-generated weaving and patterns.  The oppositional relationship between the machine, as representative of democracy and mass production, and the hand, as the hallmark of elitism, is explored in its many facets in this fascinating book.   Paradoxically, technology in fashion has both advanced artistic creation and obscured the sense of the designer’s expert hand. Similarly, handmade garments have come to represent either a nostalgia for lost craftsmanship or, in haute couture, a cult of personality and affluence. Interviews with renowned and cutting-edge designers such as Sarah Burton, Karl Lagerfeld, and Miuccia P... [Read More]

A lavishly illustrated tribute to one of the most remarkable self-invented personalities on the New York fashion scene Susanne Bartsch has been the queen of New York City nightlife since the 1980s when she first became famous for spectacular parties, where a diverse crowd brought fashion to the level of performance art. Her most important party was undoubtedly the 1989 Love Ball, a pioneering AIDS benefit that brought the fashion world together. The Love Ball was followed by other parties, which ultimately raised more than $2.5 million for AIDS research and advocacy. Over the years, Bartsch has had a profound impact on the world of fashion and visual culture. She has been a retailer, a fashion show organizer, a muse, and a catalyst. As Holly Brubach wrote in her 1991 New Yorker profile, “If there is a theme that runs through the various jobs Bartsch has held, it is perhaps a fascination with the way people present themselves—with the clothes and the part they play in people’s imagination.”  Fashion Underground: The World of Susanne Bartsch features approximately 80 looks from Bartsch’s personal collection of clothing and accessories, including designs by Rachel Auburn, ... [Read More]

Since its publication in hardcover in 1989, New York Fashion has become a defining book on the story of American fashion. Covering the great changes that have taken place in the fashion world from the early 19th century to the late 20th century, Caroline Rennolds Milbank also charts the rise of the great American designers: Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and others.

Costume designer Charlotte Fairfax has another murder on her hands as she prepares for the latest performance of the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company, Much Ado About Nothing. The company’s steady growth enables them to cast star British actress Audrey Ashley, who arrives on scene to play the lead role of Beatrice. But things immediately get more complicated when Audrey insists the company replace the current director with new, up and coming British director Edmund Albright.Edmund plans to change the popular romantic comedy, which alienates several people associated with the production. And the list of people he upsets only grows: the laid off former director, the hotel owner’s secretary, and even Audrey herself. Just as Edmund’s plans are about to come to fruition, his body is discovered on his sofa, holding a gun in his hand. His death is quickly ruled a suicide but Charlotte thinks otherwise. Why would Edmund, on the brink of greatness, kill himself? And in such an American way?With a whole cast of characters to investigate, Charlotte is determined to unmask each one before it’s final curtain call on the whole production in award-winning author Elizabeth J. Duncan’... [Read More]

New York Cop Child Costume - MediumThis kids NYPD cop costume includes a button front shirt with badge, pants and police hat. Our kids police costume comes in child sizes Small, Toddler, Medium, Large. The handcuffs are not included with the kids police costume. Please note: This item's color may vary due to inherent manufacturing variations or your computer monitor's color settings. The item you receive will be identical or substantially similar to the item pictured in this

Attend the ball, or even the Halloween party looking your very best in this costume. Whether your daughter is a queen or a princess at heart, this costume without a doubt makes her look like that, and turns imagination into reality. Look absolutely wonderful, and like actual royalty at the party, and watch as others fall in love with this elegant

This protector of peace has it all under control! Grab this fantastic cop costume for your little one and make him feel like a real cop. This costume is sure to be the eye-catcher of the fancy dress day.Product Features:Features New York cop costume, black, with top, trousers and hatPerfect for children's fancy dress party; dyes may not be colorfastFeatures boys fancy dress costumeCostume comes in display bagWarning: keep away from fire; not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts - choking hazardCare instructions: dry clean onlyRecommended for ages 12 years and aboveOverall dimensions: 47"H x 28"W