Fashion Books

I was looking for a book that had more information on couture. I have Susan Khalje and Claire Shaeffer's books and wanted more information on the fabulous world of couture. In this book I found history about couture as well as several articles on fit, fabric, and techniques. It has helped me increase my sewing skills.

One of my favorite books. A fascinating combination of history and construction techniques, art and technology. If you've ever been curious about how Chanel constructed her famous boxy jackets (that were still flattering) or who did the embroidery for those amazing Schiaperelli creations - this is for you!

I have been coloring my hair for years and am able to fine tune color with the help of this wonderful book. If you are afraid of home color, just read and follow the instructions here and you will be happy! Lots of illustrations, diagrams and very easy to understand.

Accredited and award-winning Master Colorist Mary Ann Proulx draws upon her many years of professional experience in hair coloring to provide a superbly presented and arranged "do-it-yourself" step-by-step instruction for coloring hair at home to professional beauty salon standards in Hairdos, Hair Dont's. Separate chapters are devoted to the classification of hair coloring products; basic understanding of color; analyzing your own hair; gray hair; color fillers and drabbers; how tint reacts to tint; color selection (applying the fundamentals of color); preparation (including the patch test and strand test); application; and maintenance. There are also chapters on "Review & Tips" and "Your Personalized Color". The basic, "user friendly" text is enhanced with a "Quick Reference" section and an "Order Form". Hairdos, Hair Dont's is specifically designed and very highly recommended for the ordinary woman seeking to save money and produce a professional quality hair coloring experience for her self, a family member, or a friend.

Truly thorough text and photographic record of the work of the acknowledged source of the most beautiful fashion embroidery in history. Lesage has long been known for its opulent designs but some of us spring chickens have a surprise in store, and when you open this book your jaw will truly drop. Sample pieces, appliques, closeups of detail work, fringed trims, whole garments, movie stills, accessories, and designer sketches, and all of it pure inspiration for we creative types who make fashion. For sheer invention and brilliancy of design, flip through the photos and allow them to breathe color and texture into your work. If you're a fashion junkie or student, settle into a comfy chair and read the text for an in-depth look at the history of the premier embroidery firm in the world. Despite the industrial revolution and now the information age, it's all still done by hand with simple tools, and some of the examples have numbers representing the hours of work required, which will shock the faint of heart. But if you're contemplating using feathers, beads, sequins, silk ribbon, cording, floss, bullion, fine metallic threads, jewels or rhinestomes in a new and inventive way and just need a jump-start, it's in this book. The price is well worth the images (as many as 6 on a page) and it would make a nifty coffee table book as well. The perfect use, in my eyes, would be as a gift to a young girl showing a strong interest in fashion. Let her learn from the very best. For the rest of us, it will be a flight into the same world Clara discovered in the Nutcracker: pure fantasy come true. Here we can shed ratty blue jeans as well as the stifling little navy suit, and imagine ourselves covered in dazzling ornamentation. It's enough to make one want to plan a fancy dress ball for an excuse to get dressed up!

This is the most beautiful book I own and have ever seen, and I have many of the best in the fields of fashion and textile arts. This book covers them both. If you love couture and embroidery this is the book for you. The text is interesting and the photos are first rate. A wonderful insite into the most famous embroidery house in the world! Take note, this is not a how-to book. It is about the most creative facet of couture history - embellishment. A must have for any fashion and/or embroidery enthusiast.

This book, which chronicles the struggles and the triumphs experienced by the organziers of fashion shows to benefit AIDS, makes a wonderful addition to any library. The profiles of the famous people the author worked with (especially Elizabeth Montgomery) as well as the heroic victims of this devastating disease will make you laugh, cry and, best of all HOPE. One of the best books of it's kind ever written!

I never got to go to the star studded fashion show extraveganza'a that Mr. Anketell writes about, but now I can via his wonderful book, and be both in the audience AND backstage. Out of tragedy and tears came beauty and joy, and all that is in between, and Mr. Anketell tells it all with humor, pathos, and genuine affection. Kudos! Brava! Encore! A perfect gift.

Suzanne Slesin's OVER THE TOP: HELENA RUBINSTEIN EXTRAORDINARY STYLE: BEAUTY ART FASHION DESIGN (1972766103, $75.00) reviews the achievements of a pioneer leader in the cosmetics industry celebrated for not just her line of cosmetics but her art collecting, home decoration and appreciation of the arts. Sixteen short essays by experts accompany four hundred images to trace the life of Helena Rubinstein, following her flair for interior decoration, her interest in collecting the works of artists as they began their ascent, and her fine collections. More so than any other coverage, OVER THE TOP captures the multi-faceted interests and personality of a woman whose tastes often ran against trends - then created new ones.

Helena Rubinstein: Over The Top is an eye-opening photographic showcase of the works of cosmetics industry and style making pioneer Helena Rubinstein. The text narrates the life of this extraordinary twentieth-century woman and offers the fascinating stories behind her many unique and creative works of art, trend, fashion and decoration. Helena Rubinstein: Over The Top is remarkable, unique, highly recommended, and an ideal choice for a Library Memorial Fund acquisition.

I love this book!! There is a copy at my hair salon and I've been glued to it every time I go there trying to memorize all the great ideas on each page because it is out of print. Now I've found it on Amazon and ordered gift copies for all my friends!! If that's not a strong recommendation, I dont know what is! ;-)

How does one start the day???? Looking in the mirror....Will our day be POSITIVE??!!YES,when we begin by saying,"Hello,Beautiful"!!Positive self talk..Susies'words are our actions to an energetic,balanced day.Great tips;Easy and rewarding reading..Looking for MORE of your writings...

I went out of my way to get this book. The photos are fantastic and i especially loved it as it is Australian, and few photo books of horses are. It was fantastic to see horses in the setting that i see them in.

Great photo book for any horse lover.

Wonderful Australian-published collection of stunning photos of horses and riders, shot beautifully and with humour. It's guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of horse-lovers. I stumbled on it by chance and gave it to a friend - she was as delighted as I had been.

I highly recommend this book if you like dolls. It is full of great pictures.

I bought this book via amazon.de in Germany and I must say, it is absolutly wunderfull.

So many beautyful photos of the nice Tyler dolls, my w8sh llist in growing up after looking into this book.

After some of the photos I will make clothes for my Tyler on my own, the photos are a wunderfull inspiration for sewing Tyler clothes.

I still can`t wait until the new issue will be out - I must have it too!

If your idea of Western wear is John Wayne in chaps and creased 10 gallon hat - forget it. Rolling Stone Press Editor Holly George-Warren and clothing designer Michelle Freedman have produced a luxe look at Western garb that is more Las Vegas than Laredo.

The iconic American cowboy typifies our country's spirit to many, from New York City sidewalk stompers who have no saddles but don boots to diamond encrusted Grammy award winners who twang with the best of them.

So, for those attracted by the lore and lure of ranching days, here is a photographed filled bow to all garb Western. It begins with the practical clothing needed by scours, traders, and ranch workers, then details how early movie stars such as Tom Mix, Gene Autry, Dale Evans and Roy Rogers spurred a popular trend in cowboy wear.

That vogue was to later influence British rock musicians and high end fashion designers such as Ralph Lauren.
"There's a little bit of cowboy in everybody," the foreword states and that would be seem to be true as the pages of How The West Was Worn reveal glimpses of tastefully displayed silver buckles, jauntily worn Stetsons, and rhinestone embellished rigs that never saw a range.

- Gail Cooke

A colorful and comprehensive examination of American style at it's most iconic - the authors have done a wonderful job telling the story of how cowboy duds came to symbolize America the world over. A must have for anyone interested in the West, design, decorative arts, fashion, pop culture or Americana/American History. The book is gorgeously presented, expertly written and endlessly entertaining, the photography is beautiful, and the interviews are rare and revealing. From the plains and frontiers, to Buffalo Bill to the Hollywood Cowboy, Country & Western, Rock & Roll, the current fashion craze, the authors leave no cowpie unturned as they reveal how the cowboy hat became our collective unconscious. The most complete record of the lives and work of N. Turk, Rodeo Ben, and Nudie to date. How did the famed North Hollywood rodeo tailor get men in the 20th century to wear fanciful embroidered and rhinestoned creations, that became more and more elaborate in a competitive fervor to outshine each other?(And how did Keith Richards cause him to draw the line?) Find out. From the fanatical to the casual observer, and especially anyone who has ever bedazzled denim or worn a pair of cowboy boots, all will treasure this book.

This book has great images. I used it for clothing design inspiration and loved it. Lots of "full on" western clothes loaded with embroidery, sequins, etc. I did not read a word of the text, merely used it for the photos.

A wonderful wallow for a clothing collector! A source of inspiration for an obsessed person who is likely to make his or her own clothing! Marvellous images, beautifully printed, I love this book.