This book will be of interest to anyone professionally or educationally involved in costume history as it includes many detailed drawings and studies of dresses and accessories based on research from private collections.

An up-close look at the defining features of exquisitely crafted nineteenth-century fashion in vivid detailFashion in Detail: 1800–1900 showcases the opulence and variety of nineteenth century fashion through exquisite color photography of garment details paired with line drawings showing the complete construction of each piece. From the delicate embroidery on neoclassical gowns to the vibrant colors of crinolines and the elegant tailoring of men’s coats, the richness of the period is revealed in breathtaking detail. The featured garments, drawn from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s world-class collection, were at the height of fashion in their day. They display a remarkable range of colors, materials, and construction details: from the intricate boning of women’s corsets to the patterned silk of men’s waistcoats. Seen up close and further illuminated by detailed commentary, these carefully chosen garments illustrate many of the major themes of nineteenth-century dress.A new introduction illuminates the history of fashion in the nineteenth century, followed by chapters that cover beautiful details, including gathers, pleats and drapery, collars, cuffs, pockets, and more. ... [Read More]

A comprehensive and accessible illustrated guide to lingerie from intimates expert Cora Harrington, founder of The Lingerie Addict, the internet's top intimate apparel blog.While many love the idea of wearing special underthings, lingerie can be intimidating. How is it supposed to fit? How do you take care of it all? Is lingerie really for me? In this beautiful and empowering guide, lingerie expert Cora Harrington demystifies intimate apparel, making it accessible to all sizes, ages, and budgets. Covering everything from basic bras and panties to special occasion wear, shapewear, hosiery, corsets, and more, this no-nonsense handbook empowers you to confidently buy, wear, and care for the underpinnings of your dreams.

Now in paperback with a new cover, this volume celebrates 19th-century fashion in lavishly illustrated detail. From the delicate embroidery on ballgowns to the vibrant synthetic colors of crinolines, the major themes of 19th-century fashion are explored as never before in this exquisite book. Featuring specially commissioned color photographs of garments from the V&A’s superb collection and many close-up details, alongside accurate line drawings of each garment’s underlying structure, the book's 150 pieces capture the opulence and variety of this fascinating era. “ Perfect for those who want an authentic take on the latest Victorian trend.” –In Style

In Character: Opera Portraiture memorably captures operatic performers away from the audience but fully inhabiting their roles. It showcases the work of John F. Martin, who for years set up a portable studio in the basement of the San Francisco Opera and photographed the players – in costume and full makeup – right before or after they took the stage. The subjects range from nonsinging supernumeraries through chorus members and comprimarii to opera's greatest stars, such as Anna Netrebko, Natalie Dessay, Deborah Voigt, Juan Diego Flórez, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Their roles run the gamut of opera personalities: heroes and heroines, villains and outcasts, royalty and common folk, Biblical figures and creatures of myth. Facing Martin's camera, each artist projects the essence of his or her character, however great or small the part.The book also features a foreword by author Amy Tan; a preface by David Gockley, general director of the San Francisco Opera; essays on opera behind the scenes, the vital role of costumes, and the transformation of singers into characters; and an interview with world-renowned soprano Danielle de Niese. A collection unlike any other, In Character will ... [Read More]

Featuring a new format, design, and garments, this revised and expanded guide is an inspiring resource for those fascinated by modern fashion and the world of haute couture. 20th-Century Fashion in Detail reveals the elaborate embroidery, intricate pleats, and daring cuts that make up some of the most beautiful garments in the twentieth- century fashion collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the world’s top fashion and design museums. Authors Claire Wilcox and Valerie D. Mendes, leading fashion experts from the V&A, have written a book that will be an invaluable resource for students, collectors, and designers.Including exquisite haute-couture pieces, from sequined Chanel ensembles to embellished Dior evening gowns, this revised and expanded edition features more than 30 new garments. Each piece is accompanied by detail photography and line drawings showing its complete construction. An extraordinary exploration of the techniques used by couturiers, 20th-Century Fashion in Detail will delight all followers of fashion.  115 illustrations in color with 170 line drawings

Striking photographs of 120 influential figures of the twentieth century highlight a singular sartorial detail that the stars wore first and that, as a result, redefined fashion. In a series of iconic portraits accompanied by insightful and sometimes dishy text, this volume examines the most influential stars of the twentieth century and the "killer detail" that made them stand out and for which they would forever be remembered. If what Stendhal called "the charming little flaw" is what inflames desire, then the killer detail is the harbinger of true elegance. It is a particular feature that catches the eye, encapsulates an attitude, or refines a style, distinguishing the wearer from the crowd. The Killer Detail is a veritable fashion show featuring writers, artists, performers, and models who all left their mark on the twentieth century as bellwethers of style: from Marlene Dietrich’s pantsuit to Kate Moss’s skinny jeans; from Liz Taylor’s leopard-print swimsuit to Jimi Hendrix’s military jacket; and from Thelonious Monk’s beret to Frank Sinatra’s fedora. These are the individuals who dared to invent new perspectives in fashion and adopt fresh trends that would be rein... [Read More]

Now available from Abrams, this popular book offers a rare, close-up look at the exquisite, labor-intensive details seen in fine historical clothing. Perfect decorative seams, minute stitching, knife-sharp pleats, and voluptuous drapery-all are here, alongside more unusual techniques such as stamping, pinking, and slashing. Most of these effects cannot be replicated by machine, yet many of today's fashion designers take their inspiration from the past, adapting these details to a more contemporary idiom, and to the realities of modern manufacturing. Drawing from the Victoria and Albert Museum's world-famous collections, the book contains a gallery of exquisite photographs, accompanied by clear line drawings showing the construction of the complete garment and a text that sets each in the context of its time. This book will appeal to anyone interested in fashion, historical costume, or textile history, from cut and construction to fabric and trimmings.

"Meticulously detailed as well as gorgeous....The color photographs-which cover page after page and capture these intricate designs in close-up-are the main source of delight."-Time Out (London) Now available in paperback, this lavishly illustrated book celebrates the Victoria and Albert Museum's magnificent collection of dress from around the world. A source of inspiration to many of today's top designers, these colorful items of clothing, seen here in glorious close-up, will delight all lovers of fashion. The detailed line drawings are of special interest to professionals in any aspect of the fashion field. AUTHOR BIO: Rosemary Crill is a curator in the department of Asian art at the V&A. Jennifer Wearden is a curator in the department of furniture, textiles, and dress at the V&A. Verity Wilson is a curator in the department of Asian art at the V&A.

At last?a sophisticated wardrobe guide for men from a respected authority, Details magazine, offering head-to-toe advice for choosing the right look, the right fit, and the right style for every situation, from boardroom pitches to casual Saturday nights. Each month, Details magazine keeps hundreds of thousands of men up-to-date on the most current trends and tips for looking sharp. Now the editors of these award-winning pages give every man the wardrobe wisdom he needs in order to reach both his professional and personal goals. Making sense out of the shifting protocols in menswear, Details Men?s Style Manual offers a sleek lifeline, including: ? How to dress an item up or down ? Full-color illustrations of dozens of outfits, with complete explanations of what works and why ? A piece-by-piece evaluation of everything from button-down shirts and every type of jacket to shoes, suits, ties, and more ? Commentary from icons of contemporary male style ? How to choose the best clothes for your shape A man?s wardrobe is one of his single most valuable assets, conveying the image he presents to the world. Infusing style with eye-catching design, this refreshing guide blows the dust off ... [Read More]

This book will be of interest to anyone professionally or educationally involved in costume history as it includes many detailed drawings and studies of dresses and accessories based on research from private

A Visit to Spain: Detailing the Transactions Which Occurred During a Residence in That Count...