Couture: then and now (TASCHEN's 25th anniversary special edition) Clothes define people. A person's clothing, whether it's a sari, kimono, or business suit, is an essential key to his or her culture, class, personality, or even religion. The Kyoto Costume Institute recognizes the importance of understanding clothing sociologically, historically, and artistically. Founded in 1978, the KCI holds one of the world's most extensive clothing collections and has curated many exhibitions worldwide. With an emphasis on Western women's clothing, the KCI has amassed a wide range of historical garments, underwear, shoes, and fashion accessories dating from the 18th century to the present day. Showcasing a vast selection from the Institute's archives of skilled photographs depicting the clothing expertly displayed and arranged on custom-made mannequins, Fashion History is a fascinating excursion through the last three centuries of clothing trends.

Clothes define people. A person’s attire, whether it’s a sari, kimono, or business suit, is an essential code to his or her culture, class, personality, even faith. Founded in 1978, the Kyoto Costume Institute recognizes the importance of understanding clothes from sociological, historical, and artistic perspectives. With one of the world’s most extensive clothing collections, the KCI has amassed a wide range of historical garments, underwear, shoes, and fashion accessories dating from the 18th century to the present day.Showcasing the Institute’s vast collection, Fashion History is a fascinating excursion through the last three centuries of clothing trends. Featuring impeccable photography of clothing expertly displayed and arranged on custom-made mannequins, it is a testimony to attire as “an essential manifestation of our very being” and to the Institute's passion for fashion as a complex and intricate art form.The book's authors include some of the smartest minds and sharpest eyes in fashion studies: Akiko Fukai (Chief Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Tamami Suoh (Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Miki Iwagami (Lecturer of fashion history at Sugino Fa... [Read More]

Arguably the most influential, imaginative, and provocative designer of his generation, Alexander McQueen both challenged and expanded fashion conventions to express ideas about race, class, sexuality, religion, and the environment. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty examines the full breadth of the designer’s career, from the start of his fledgling label to the triumphs of his own world-renowned London house. It features his most iconic and radical designs, revealing how McQueen adapted and combined the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring, the specialized techniques of haute couture, and technological innovation to achieve his distinctive aesthetic. It also focuses on the highly sophisticated narrative structures underpinning his collections and extravagant runway presentations, with their echoes of avant-garde installation and performance art.   Published to coincide with an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art organized by The Costume Institute, this stunning book includes a preface by Andrew Bolton; an introduction by Susannah Frankel; an interview by Tim Blanks with Sarah Burton, creative director of the house of Alexander McQueen; illuminating quotes from the desi... [Read More]

18th Century Jackets Pattern (Medium-10-12, Bust size 36-38"). This pattern is a single size pattern; please reference the description for size included. This very special J. P. Ryan pattern contains 10 pattern pieces which may be combined to create an entire wardrobe of 18th century jackets. Four views are given, each for a different time period. Because all the pattern pieces, i.e. sleeves, cuffs, backs and front, were designed to fit together, you may create additional styles, based on your own personal research. This group of jackets uses one basic body with front, sleeve, cuff, skirt and length variations. Each view is composed of different pieces, and pieces may be combined to create other styles. The dates given on each view are approximate, based on elements found in extant examples. View A is cut with a long skirt, center front closure, and sleeves with winged cuffs, suitable for the 1750's. View B has a long full skirt, open front, stomacher and cuffed sleeves, as was worn in the 1760's. View C has a short full skirt, open front, stomacher, and curved sleeves, appropriate for the 1770's. View D has a short skirt with pointed back, open front, stomacher and curved sleeves ... [Read More]

18th Century Jackets Pattern (XL-18-20, Bust size 44-46"). This pattern is a single size pattern; please reference the description for size included. This very special J. P. Ryan pattern contains 10 pattern pieces which may be combined to create an entire wardrobe of 18th century jackets. Four views are given, each for a different time period. Because all the pattern pieces, i.e. sleeves, cuffs, backs and front, were designed to fit together, you may create additional styles, based on your own personal research. This group of jackets uses one basic body with front, sleeve, cuff, skirt and length variations. Each view is composed of different pieces, and pieces may be combined to create other styles. The dates given on each view are approximate, based on elements found in extant examples. View A is cut with a long skirt, center front closure, and sleeves with winged cuffs, suitable for the 1750's. View B has a long full skirt, open front, stomacher and cuffed sleeves, as was worn in the 1760's. View C has a short full skirt, open front, stomacher, and curved sleeves, appropriate for the 1770's. View D has a short skirt with pointed back, open front, stomacher and curved sleeves appr... [Read More]

18th Century Jackets Pattern (XXL-22-24, Bust size 48-50"). This pattern is a single size pattern; please reference the description for size included. This very special J. P. Ryan pattern contains 10 pattern pieces which may be combined to create an entire wardrobe of 18th century jackets. Four views are given, each for a different time period. Because all the pattern pieces, i.e. sleeves, cuffs, backs and front, were designed to fit together, you may create additional styles, based on your own personal research. This group of jackets uses one basic body with front, sleeve, cuff, skirt and length variations. Each view is composed of different pieces, and pieces may be combined to create other styles. The dates given on each view are approximate, based on elements found in extant examples. View A is cut with a long skirt, center front closure, and sleeves with winged cuffs, suitable for the 1750's. View B has a long full skirt, open front, stomacher and cuffed sleeves, as was worn in the 1760's. View C has a short full skirt, open front, stomacher, and curved sleeves, appropriate for the 1770's. View D has a short skirt with pointed back, open front, stomacher and curved sleeves app... [Read More]

1750's - 18th Century Jackets Pattern (Small-6-8, Bust size 32-34"). This pattern is a single size pattern; please reference the description for size included. This very special J. P. Ryan pattern contains 10 pattern pieces which may be combined to create an entire wardrobe of 18th century jackets. Four views are given, each for a different time period. Because all the pattern pieces, i.e. sleeves, cuffs, backs and front, were designed to fit together, you may create additional styles, based on your own personal research. This group of jackets uses one basic body with front, sleeve, cuff, skirt and length variations. Each view is composed of different pieces, and pieces may be combined to create other styles. The dates given on each view are approximate, based on elements found in extant examples. View A is cut with a long skirt, center front closure, and sleeves with winged cuffs, suitable for the 1750's. View B has a long full skirt, open front, stomacher and cuffed sleeves, as was worn in the 1760's. View C has a short full skirt, open front, stomacher, and curved sleeves, appropriate for the 1770's. View D has a short skirt with pointed back, open front, stomacher and curved sl... [Read More]

18th Century Half-boned Stays for a Fashionable Shape Pattern (Size 18- Bust Size 44"). This pattern is a single size pattern; please reference the description for size included. In the 18th century stays were worn to reshape the upper female torso. High fashion stays with shoulder straps were designed to create a fairly straight line from bosom to navel (and beyond), compress and widen the bosom, narrow the back, elongate and reduce the waistline. Stays were the basic foundation garment upon which all subsequent garments were built. From comments of the time among the fashionable, shape was more important than comfort. These half-boned stays with shoulder straps are designed to reshape your person into the conical 18th century fashionable ideal. They may also restrict movement of the upper arms and will compress the lower rib cage. This original pattern incorporates features from extant 18th century stays in the collections of The Victoria and Albert Museum, London; The Gallery of English Costume, Manchester; and The Kyoto Costume Institute. Fully illustrated instructions included, plus How to Adjust the Stays Pattern to Fit Your Figure. The following are the sizes and correspondi... [Read More]

18th Century Half-boned Stays for a Fashionable Shape Pattern (Size 10- Bust Size 36"). This pattern is a single size pattern; please reference the description for size included. In the 18th century stays were worn to reshape the upper female torso. High fashion stays with shoulder straps were designed to create a fairly straight line from bosom to navel (and beyond), compress and widen the bosom, narrow the back, elongate and reduce the waistline. Stays were the basic foundation garment upon which all subsequent garments were built. From comments of the time among the fashionable, shape was more important than comfort. These half-boned stays with shoulder straps are designed to reshape your person into the conical 18th century fashionable ideal. They may also restrict movement of the upper arms and will compress the lower rib cage. This original pattern incorporates features from extant 18th century stays in the collections of The Victoria and Albert Museum, London; The Gallery of English Costume, Manchester; and The Kyoto Costume Institute. Fully illustrated instructions included, plus How to Adjust the Stays Pattern to Fit Your Figure. The following are the sizes and correspondi... [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 exhibi-tion--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

An irresistible look into more than 300 years of fashion through an exquisite collection of designer dresses What woman can resist imagining herself in a beautiful designer dress? Here, for the first time ever, are 100 fabulous gowns from the permanent collection of the renowned Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, each of which is a reminder of the ways fashion reflects the broader culture that created it.Featuring designs by Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel, Madame Grès, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianni Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and many others, this one-of-a-kind collection presents a stunning variety of garments. Ranging

Kate Moss (Wearing A Marc Jacobs Dress And Stephen Jones Turban) At Arrivals For The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion Costume Institute Benefit Gala, Metropolitan Museum Of Art, New York, Ny May 4, 2009. Photo By: Rob Rich/Everett Collection was reproduced on Premium Heavy Stock Paper which captures all of the vivid colors and details of the original.Brand New and Packaged carefully in a oversized protective tube. This item Ships Rolled to insure maximum protection.Print Title: Kate Moss (Wearing A Marc Jacobs Dress And Stephen Jones Turban) At Arrivals For The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion Costume Institute Benefit Gala,