Shoes have come a long way in the thousands of years since primitive man first donned bark and animal skins. Originally used to protect feet from harsh temperatures and rough land, shoes have evolved into an article of high fashion and style, a sartorial reflection of class, rank, and wealth. Take a stroll through history with this carefully researched, lavishly illustrated survey of footwear by R. Turner Wilcox, the fashion editor of Women's Wear Daily from 1910 through 1915.What did Tutankhamen's burial sandals look like? What shoes were the height of fashion in Paris at the turn of the century? The answers are all inside, along with hundreds of meticulously detailed images of every type of footwear imaginable: papyrus sandals from ancient Egypt, Chinese silk wedges for binding the feet, high wooden clogs for navigating muddy streets, English cavalier boots finished with rosettes and buckle trim, French taffeta dancing shoes, satin-and-lace boudoir slippers, kiltie golf brogues, jodhpur boots, American saddle oxfords, and so much more. Spanning centuries of styles from simply practical to distinctively dazzling, The Mode in Footwear is a true find for fashion editors, illustrator... [Read More]

A year after R. Turner Wilcox received rave reviews for her ultimate fashion reference, The Mode in Costume, she decided to zero in on one chic category to give it the close-up it deserved. The result is this extraordinary handbook that covers the worldwide evolution of almost five thousand years of hats, hairstyles, and headdress for both sexes. Since ancient times, men and women have used hats and headgear for everything from adornment and protection to establishing their rank in society. With hundreds of illustrations and fascinating text, this comprehensive survey extends from 3000 B.C. to mid-twentieth century. The showcase depicts an astonishing range of women's styles — Egyptian headdresses, Spanish mantillas, French straw sailor hats, buckle-trimmed tam-o-shanters, wedding veils, bonnets, snoods, and jeweled crowns. Men's headwear includes feather-trimmed turbans, soldiers' helmets, cowboy hats and top hats, derbies and boaters, berets, sombreros, and Homburgs. Hairstyles run the gamut as well: ringlets, topknots, and spit curls, ponytails, pageboys, and poodle cuts, as well as pompadours, mutton chops, and crew cuts. With delightful details on jewelry, cosmetics, and bea... [Read More]

The pursuit of style has prompted centuries of dramatic change in fashion—and author R. Turner Wilcox researched and documented it all in this completely comprehensive volume. A lifelong student of history, costume, and design, she observed decades of fashion innovations from major cities all over the world and served as fashion editor of Women's Wear Daily from 1910 to 1915. Her remarkable Mode series is a definitive reference for anyone with a passion for fashion. From the togas of ancient Rome to the gorgeous gowns of Dior, this lavishly illustrated, thoroughly researched treasury examines men's, women's, and children's clothing — plus accessories — from 3000 B.C. to 1958. Based on medals, coins, sculpture, and decorations of various periods, the images include ancient Egyptian tunics, Chinese silks, Greek sandals, Roman bridal gowns, Persian parasols and fans, Victorian top hats and cravats, Renaissance lace, Venetian breeches, crinolines and bustles, fedoras and homburgs, as well as perfumes, hairstyles, and handbags. A gathering of some of the most distinctive and dramatic styles through the ages, The Mode in Costume is an essential handbook for illustrators, costume de... [Read More]

From prehistoric garments to modern high-fashion designs, this unique survey traces the history of furs and fur accessories. R. Turner Wilcox, a former fashion editor for Women's Wear Daily, begins with practical uses of reindeer hides and bearskins for warmth during the Stone Age. Advancing to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Persia, Greece, and Rome, she defines fur's role as a status symbol during the Renaissance and its eventual adoption by wearers outside the aristocracy.The 680 drawings that illustrate this volume depict furs of all times and places: panther skins of Egyptian high priests, ermine mantles of French queens, sealskin trousers of Alaskan Eskimos, and raccoon coats of American college students. Chronological entries include introductions for each era, and a helpful glossary of furs features images of their animal sources. Professional designers and costumers as well as amateurs with an interest in furs will find this volume a valuable reference.

TRADE PB

Excellent Book

HB no DJ. Book boards are fine and clean, tight binding, no marks inside, Very Fine

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.