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.

The Ostankino Palace Museum in Moscow holds a collection of more than 200 fans dating from the early 18th until the 20th century. It is based on the Vishneski and the Sheremetnev collections, which allows us to trace the development of fans over this period in all their diversity.The 200 incredibly varied, intricate, and beautiful fans in the collection of the Ostankino Palace Museum in Moscow - one of the most important of such collections in the world - are reproduced in more than 250 color illustrations in the new Parkstone book, FANS: from the 18th to the beginnning of the 20th century by Alexander Tcherviakov. Also reproduced are masterpieces by Whistler, Velasquez, Goya, Manet, Renoir, Vallotton, Brullov, Ingres, Bonnard, and Utamaro, each depicting an elegant woman carrying a fan.

Tom Ford has become one of fashion's great icons. He transformed Gucci from a moribund accessories label into one of the sexiest fashion brands in the world. His designs have increased sales at Gucci tenfold and have helped build the Gucci brand into the luxury goods conglomerate that it is today. Ford brought a hard-edged style synonymous with 21st century glamour to his clothes, and Hollywood sat up and took note. This book is a complete catalogue of Ford's design work for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from 1994 to 2004. It chronicles not only Ford's clothing and accessories designs for both houses, but also explores Ford's grand vision for the complete design of a brand, including architecture, store design, and advertising. Tom Ford features more than 200 photographs by Richard Avedon, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, Terry Richardson, Craig McDean, Todd Eberle, and numerous other photographers including many previously unpublished images. Published to coincide with his departure from Gucci, this book has been created with Ford's full cooperation and every page reflects his exceptional taste. It is Ford's testament to a career of singular moments rei... [Read More]

The awestruck press thrilled all of Canada with reports of the Earl of Dufferin’s 1876 fancy dress ball at Rideau Hall. Twenty years later, the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen not only topped Dufferin’s extravaganza and catered to a new taste: at their Historical Fancy Dress Ball, guests promenaded as important characters from Canadian history. The next year, in Toronto, their Victorian Era Ball feted Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee by celebrating in costume the progress of her reign and the technological wonders of the century to come. In 1898, the Aberdeens induced Montreal’s French and English high society to act out the ideal of national unity. Cynthia Cooper tells the stories of these four vice-regal balls, the costumes, and the optimistic nation-builders who disguised frivolity as historical research and chose costumes that allowed sexual display scandalous in any other setting. The reporters on the fringes of each event form a gushing Greek chorus, and photos by Notman and Topley show la crème de la crème of young Canada in all its finery.

From the award-winning legend of speculative fiction, “a witty sendup of the detective story” with “a richness of invention that doffs a hat to Dickens” (Chicago Tribune). At a fashionable salon, Parisians line up to have their fortunes told by Ric Lazare’s amazing machine. The predictions arrive with unerring accuracy, as if the invention were imbued with some sort of wondrous sorcery. The police, however, have a different opinion. They suspect that Lazare is a con man. Accordingly, they’ve sent one of their own to investigate. Unfortunately, the man they send is Paul Picard.   His methods are unconventional. His appetites—for lemon tarts, and for prostitutes—are legendary. And he is no stranger to the dark side of Paris. But Inspector Picard is entirely unprepared for the string of murders that pulls him across the continent. As the killer’s seductive knot tightens around him, he learns once and for all that there’s more to the glimmering world of high society than first appears.   Winner of the World Fantasy Award for his novel Doctor Rat, William Kotzwinkle reaffirms his reputation as one of the most captivating and original American authors of the last ha... [Read More]

One of the most anticipated reads from InStyle, HelloGiggles, Hypable, Bookbub, and Bookriot!One of Real Simple's Best Historical Fiction novels of the year! “The Gown is marvelous and moving, a vivid portrait of female self-reliance in a world racked by the cost of war.”--Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice NetworkFrom the internationally bestselling author of Somewhere in France comes an enthralling historical novel about one of the most famous wedding dresses of the twentieth century—Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown—and the fascinating women who made it.“Millions will welcome this joyous event as a flash of color on the long road we have to travel.”—Sir Winston Churchill on the news of Princess Elizabeth’s forthcoming weddingLondon, 1947: Besieged by the harshest winter in living memory, burdened by onerous shortages and rationing, the people of postwar Britain are enduring lives of quiet desperation despite their nation’s recent victory. Among them are Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers at the famed Mayfair fashion house of Norman Hartnell. Together they forge an unlikely friendship, but their nascent hopes for a brigh... [Read More]

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and, to an audience of over 450 million people, proclaimed his step a "giant leap for mankind." This Eagle Scout built his own model planes as a little boy and then grew up to be a test pilot for experimental aircraft before becoming an astronaut. Over 80 black-and-white illustrations bring Armstrong's story to life.

Kate Middleton’s royal wedding to Prince William on April 29, 2011 will be the fashion event of the century. And with the whole world watching, Kate’s royal wedding dress will redefine elegance and grace for the next generation of royalty—just as Princess Diana’s legendary wedding gown did a generation ago. When British designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel designed Diana’s dress, they helped her become the most beloved princess in the world. Like Ann Lowe’s wedding gown for Jacqueline Kennedy or Vera Wang’s many celebrity wedding dress designs, the gown that the Emanuels created for Princess Di changed the future of wedding fashion. Now, you can revisit the beauty and innovation that went into Diana’s wedding dress in this lavish, full-color book, written by the dressmakers themselves—the perfect way to make the magic of Princess Kate’s wedding story come to life.

For the past 95 years, Oscar Heyman & Bros. has sat ... at the helm of jewelry royalty. ―Antiques & Fine Art Magazine (2007)Since its founding in 1912, Oscar Heyman & Brothers has created fabulous jewels for some of the world’s elite houses, causing it to be known in the trade as “the jewelers’ jeweler.” The Heyman Brothers arrived in New York from Eastern Europe in the early 1900s, bringing with them their training in their uncle’s workshop. The company quickly established a name for itself in the industry, working with top houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co., producing superbly constructed, beautifully designed pieces with the finest materials. The firm is still family run, and now retails merchandise under its own name, specializing in working with unique and colorful gemstones, cut and polished in their own workshop.This lavishly illustrated history reveals “the jewelers’ jeweler” to the wider public, following the firm’s growth from its origin as a Russian immigrant family enterprise in New York City to its establishment as an important ally of major retailers throughout the global jewelry trade. Enhanced with dazzling photographs o... [Read More]

The first illustrated monograph dedicated to the history of the House of Worth, the world’s pioneering haute couture labelArriving in Paris in 1845, at the age of twenty and with only a few francs in his pocket, Charles Frederick Worth would go on to build the most prominent, innovative, and successful fashion house of the century. He was inspired by a love of fine art, luxurious fabrics, and his vision of the female ideal, and was the first to set out to dictate new styles and silhouettes to his elite clientele― not the other way around. He hosted them in his rue de la Paix salons, which included groundbreaking sportswear and maternity departments as well as silk, velvet, and brocade rooms, and a special salon with closed shutters and gas lighting designed to allow clients to try on ball gowns in lighting conditions precisely matched to those of the event at which they would be worn.Organized chronologically and illustrated with striking ensembles, paintings, and documents sourced from both private family archives and the best fashion collections from museums around the world, The House of Worth is an inspiring tribute to the house that started it all. 500+ illustrations in co... [Read More]

Dive On In!Befriend the creatures of the deep blue sea and become the most beautiful ocean critter of all in this Magnificent Mermaid costume. You'd even make Ariel jealous! This Boo! Inc. costume comes with a shirt, skirt, and headband so you can have a great time swimming with all your fishy friends. Wear this for Halloween trick-or-treating, theme parties, and costume contests. Collect all the candy you can, but save some for your mummy. And when Halloween comes to an end, dress up and play pretend all year round. You're in for a spooktacular treat with this classic costume!Handle

Complete your Blues Brothers Halloween Costume with StyleThe Blues Brothers costume kit is the easiest way to create your blues brothers costume. The classic black fedora, shades, tie, harmonica and sideburns are an easy way to show your blues brothers style!Kit includes: blues brothers hat, sunglasses, tie, sideburns and harmonica.Approximately 22″ circumference around inside of hat.5¼″ long with 2″ square framed glasses.58″ long and 2¾″ wide polyester black tie.Set of two, 2½″ long and ¾″ wide sideburns.5″ long and 1″ wide assorted color harmonica.The blues brothers costume accessory kit puts the perfect finishing touch on any blues brothers Halloween costume.

OTC Disguise Santa Claus, Wizard, Biker Fake Beard and Mustache Costume, White