Fashion Books

I absolutely adore Andre Leon Talley and I'm very happy that I decided to purchase this book!
And of course Amazon is the best...I received the book six days after I purchased it...thanks Amazon!

My style guru, and one of my biggest inspirations, Andre Leon Talley is the epitome of style. He is the best dressed man in the world, and everyone in the fashion world knows it. This book is great! The book show's us how he came to be such an amazing person, not just a style icon. His biggest supporters his grandma, and Mrs. Vreenland(A once Vogue's Editor and Cheif) were suh amazing people as he describes them in such vivid detail. I hope to meet him one day as i aspire to be the next Editor And Cheif of Vogue. LOVE YOU ANDRE, for your amazing kindness and also because your a person that is real and not lost into the world of Fashion in which we all love, but sometimes can be crazy and fake and misguid people.
Your Biggest fan,
Mohammed Imtyiaz Shariff

This is an absolute must-have for anyone who is serious about researching the history of lace. Besides the well-written and very well researched text there are so many detailed images that it will take your breath away. A masterpiece.

Ms. Levey presents many types of lace and their application in a concise and easy to understand format. There are lots of excellent close ups of the lace discussed in the book. For those who are interested in historical lace dating before the 16th century, this is a MUST have!! I highly recommend this book for the SCA.

"...an Omaha girl was seen flitting among the tall prairie flowers, shifting her white blanket to suit her varying moods - now letting it float as she swept in ever-widening curves, or at the slightest sound, hiding her glossy head and laughing among its soft folds." ~The Omaha Tribe, Alice Fletcher

Robert W. Kapoun documents the wide variety of trade blankets in this fascinating study of Native American culture. He describes the blanket as a poetic statement that is given a voice by the wearer. If you have ever wrapped a blanket around yourself for comfort or used a scarf as a fashion statement, then you begin to understand how a robe can create various moods and gives the wearer a sense of fashion.

"These blankets are not merely being worn to provide warmth; they create a statement, if you will, which says, "These blankets are part of our culture." ~Robert W. Kapoun

The writing in this book is especially poetic and while learning about the cultural significance of the blankets, you may also start to feel a deeper connection with nature. These blankets promote a sense of community and are used as gifts, to carry children, to display wealth and to protect from the elements.

The designs on the robes make an interesting study when you see the charts for the terminology of the designs. Then this becomes art appreciation as you identify a dragonfly, a feather, clouds, lightning, turtles, teepees, rabbit ears, birds and leaves. The brightly colored blankets either have stripes or intricately woven patterns. This book identifies collectible blankets and also explores the historical significance.

The way to find modern versions of these blankets here at Amazon is to apparently type in "Pendleton Woolen Mills." I tried just about everything else.

~The Rebecca Review

Over three hundred photos beautifully spice a history and survey of pre-World War II Indian trade blankets, revealing not only examples from the five major manufacturers, but some surprises confronting the common myth of Native blanket-making. Collectors, textile artists and Native American history enthusiasts alike receive a thorough survey of these blankets, how they became a symbol of Native history, and how they were traded and constructed. From machinery purchases and business transactions within the manufacturing industry to how tribal customers directed the Indian trade blanket designs and manufacturing process, LANGUAGE OF THE ROBE is a fascinating, unusual history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I was suprised by how small this book was when I got it, but it proved to be a non-issue. This book is amazing! It offers a peek at an incredible artist's life work and displays it extremely well with gorgeous photos. I highly recommend it to photo fans and fashionistas alike!

It certainly fits all the criteria for Art, despite the fact that these "looks" aren't framed and hanging on a wall in some gallery, but rather worn by the always beautiful, legendary Leigh Bowery. These photographs, however, most certainly could be. And don't let this paperback's relatively small size fool you. These portraits are rich and vivid, showing not only an incredible amount of detail and color, but also giving a definite sense of character and performance from Bowery. This man lived for dressing in these outlandish costumes. They are not simply "shocking" they are genuinely thought provoking. They play with and skewer concepts of gender, of beauty and of propriety. That is the true genius of Bowery. Kudos must obviously go also to the photographer Fergus Greer for capturing Bowery in these fantastic poses and in such amazing lighting. A wonderful book that is thankfully now back in print, "Leigh Bowery Looks" is an invaluable piece of performance art history not to be missed by anyone interested in fashion or photography.

"For the wise children who embrace knowledge and personal growth, there are many roads that lead to success, and many people out there who are willing to help you achieve it." ~ Keith G. Wright

Keith G. Wright encourages teenagers to take their lives seriously so they can limit negative situations that can haunt them into adulthood. He explains why following the crowd is a bad idea and why you should think about what you can do more than what you can't do.

"No Joke Teen Truth #368: Truly remarkable teenagers have figured out that their power for a greater future lies with them developing their own voice, their own opinions, and their own passions in life."

Through straight talk Keith G. Wright gives ideas on how to develop the courage to overcome everyday obstacle and gives guidance on how to stay safe and be wise in a complex world.

~The Rebecca Review

Author Keith G. Wright has penned a wonderful book for teens encouraging them to live their lives courageously no matter what has or is going on in their lives. There is so much that a teen can get into today, and they can tick off plenty of excuses, like being raised by a single parent or a grandparent and perhaps seeing nothing but a drug-infested neighborhood.

In his book, author Wright shares personal situations and the process that was taken to get him to a place of resolve. By sharing what is called `teen truths' the author admonishes teens to read, not to allow society to have anything to do with their success or failures in life, challenging them to be better people every day and many other tips that will only promote growth and progress in young lives.

I recommend this book for teens and pre-teens everywhere, especially those who have self-esteem issues and feel they do not have much to live for or to make of their lives.


Reviewed by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
Apooo BookClub

I think all of the Lizzie McGuire books are great and I would think that other people should also read them

I just recently read this book so I thought that I should review it while it's still fresh in my mind. I really like Lizzie Mcguire stuff. I'm a fan. Anyway, this a good and intriguing book about a normal girl, facing the same problems that you probably do.

Part 1:
Lizzie wants to win the Best Dressed award, but there are a few problems-the cheerleaders are always wearing more expensive, cooler clothes than her! Lizzie has her mind set on one particular pair of pants-but they're $65. Mrs. Mcguire offers to take Lizzie bargain hunting. Lizzie doesn't want to wear bargains, but she doesn't want to hurt her mother's feelings. What will happen?

Part 2:
Lizzie wants her pictures in the yearbook, but Kate, selfish as she is, won't put them in there! Lizzie, Gordo, Matt and Matt's friend, Melina, cook up a plan to put Lizzie's pictures in the yearbook. But will their plan succeed? Will Kate be taught a lesson that she doesn't always get her way?

This book's great. I guarantee it!

I cannot believe someone hasn't reviewed this book yet. It is wonderfully charming with beautiful, large color pictures of 63 quilts made in Texas between the years of 1836 and 1936. Accompanying each quilt is also a picture of the quiltmaker and a page about her life and quilt.

The stories of the women are as interesting as their quilts. One story tells of a woman alone with her baby, hearing the Indians circling her log cabin. She spins all night to listen to the whistle of her spinning wheel so as not to be afraid. What wonderful foremothers we had, who left us a legacy of their courage and industry as well as their beautiful handiwork.

What fun the authors must have had in writing this book! As they did in Volume I (1836-1936) Ms Bresenhan and Ms. Puentes give us quality color pictures of Texas quilts, pictures of the quilters and stories about the quilts and the makers. After seeing the quilts and reading the stories you feel as if you know these Texas women who expressed their artistic creativity through the medium of quilt-making.

Included in volume II (1936-1986) are quilts by Pamela Studsill, a two time recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Visual Arts Fellowship. Also featured is the "Pele" quilt by fiber artist Beth Kennedy. And of course there are also some very traditional quilts from the 30's and 40's and delightful innovative work from the 70's and 80's.

Stunning! Well-written story of Madame Alix Gres in four chapters: 1 life and career, 2 the grecian gown, 3 ethnic influences, 4 sculpting with fabric. Full page (> 12" x 8") photographs of selected works over her entire range of career; the photographs are high-definition. Some fashions have multiple photographs from different angles. Photographs are full page, so they are often not on the page where the text is that describes the fashion, and there is occassional lack of reference to the accompanying photograph(s) (inconsistent use of stating which plate the text is referring to). I wish every fashion and every advertisement described in the text had a photograph.

I read about the Madame Gres exhibit at the NY Fashion Institute of Technology in the New York Times recently. Upon finishing the lengthy article I raced over to my laptop and was excited to order this book. For those who love,crave and have to surround yourself with beautiful visual images this is the book for you. To look at the actual photographs of her original pieces along with her photographs made me feel privileged to read about this amazing woman. The thousands of folds,tucks and pleats in her garments were obviously a lifelong labor of love!

I only knew a little of Madame Gres and this book brought to my attention that she was one of the major designers of our era--someone who "invented" the use of draping and fabrics, unlike they had ever been used before. Not just a product of its time, Madame Gres' fashions are timeless and have influenced everything since her time. I would highly recommend this book not just for the fashion, but for the very interesting text by the author, as well, who really puts the work in context.

If you are frustrated by living in a world of "cookie cutter" fashions, that do not offer even a hint of feminity, then Shell Kepler's "MAKE FASHION MAGIC", is the exact book you should purchase. Shell's down to earth and simplistic approach in showing you how to embellish either your current clothing or great second-hand finds, will leave you screaming for more. All women have a deep desire to feel feminine and sexy and unfortunatley many of todays fashions leave that important part out. And many times when you do find clothing with her type of style, the price tag equals the national debt! Purchase Shell's book and see how she turns an ordinary white tuxedo jacket and a daring bustier into the most romantic and sensual set of clothing you will ever own...Be daring, be sexy and find the passion inside you with Shell's clothing ideas. No more boring T-Shirts and plain old jeans after you purchase this book!

We found this book at the library and it so impressed us that we've actually started having Shell competitions at work. The book is so full of inspiring ideas and easy-to-use techniques. And the children's clothing ideas...

Shell is a role model for us here at work and we all strive to incorporate her ideas of clothing conservation and decoration. In fact, we LIVE by Shell's rules of life and have constructed a shrine (recycled, of course!) in her honor.

Having always been intrigued by old-fashioned advice and customs, I found this book to be a wonderful read. It's designed to be a step by step self-improvement program for shy teens with a low self-esteem. The author shares caring advice on everything from defining your goals to defining your style to walking gracefully and acting confident. As well, the book includes chapters on taking care of your skin and hair and doing your make-up properly. By sharing many of her own stories and traumas she went through as a teenager, the author establishes a friendly, personal mood with the reader. Although the book appears old and dated, the advice it features is timeless.

Having always been intrigued by old-fashioned advice and customs, I found this book to be a wonderful read. It's designed to be a step by step self-improvement program for shy teens with a low self-esteem. The author shares caring advice on everything from defining your goals to defining your style to walking gracefully and acting confident. As well, the book includes chapters on taking care of your skin and hair and doing your make-up properly. By sharing many of her own stories and traumas she went through as a teenager, the author establishes a friendly, personal mood with the reader. Although the book appears old and dated, the advice it features is timeless.