Fashion Books

This book is a beautifully illustrated, step by step, intermediate introduction to fassion drawing, and design.

Ruth Hanisch's ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! ARCHITECTURE AND FASHION draws designers and architects under one cover to survey their influences on retail merchandising. Fashion stores are the focus here, with pages of interior color photos accompanied by essays delving into the new functions - and new display requirements - of modern buildings, which often houses fashion showroom, haute couture salon, and design studios alike. Fashion manufacturing can be dirty and need special surroundings, too: fashion's varying and changing needs are the focus.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This text, illustrated with over 120 color photographs and interviews with quilt makers and descendants, is of interest to scholars of many disciplines and an inspiration to quilters and other artists. Working back, using interviews from the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s, the origins of African-American and Afro-traditional quilt making techniques are explored and the "error of omission" in reconstructing a history of American quilt making puts these quilts in a cultural context more reflective of the quilt makers' traditions and intents. An inspiring book on many levels.

These outfits for 18 inch doll really fit (I use an American girl doll). They are relatively simple and yet look terrific and are easily modified to suit your own needs and creativity. Clear directions and supply lists. And the authors have a sense of humor too!

I really liked this book. It was just what I was looking for a survey of fashion from the industrial revolution to 2000. I have yet to find any other book like it. Easy to read with great illustrations.

Thank you for writing this book! It has been hard for me to find a good resource for plus size modeling. This book has been an excellent learning tool as well as an inspiration. I would recommend it to all plus size women who have an interest in learning the fundamentals of plus size modeling.

This book was published in conjunction with an exhibition at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1989. However, it is more than simply an exhibition catalogue, and in fact there isn't even a full listing in the book of the items that were on display. However, what this book does do is explore the changes of costume in France and America that occurred during the years of Napoleon's rule in France from 1789 to 1815.

The topics covered in the book include:-

1. Costume in the age of Napoleon
2. Jewels of the empire
3. Joseph Cardinal Fesch and the liturgical vestments of Lyon
4. Silk from Lyon during the empire
5. Uniforms in the Napoleonic era
6. The Emperor's wardrobe
7. American women and French fashion.


The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with colour pictures of costumes that were on display in the exhibition and by other supporting objects such as paintings and prints of the same era. This is one of the few books that go into detail on the fashions of this period and deals with other related subjects such as Napoleons efforts to revitalise the silk and lace industries of France to be used in his court and the costumes of his armies. Recommended for anyone interested in French fashions of this period, or even Regency fashion in general.

I had a great experience with this company and would certainly buy from them again. My merchandise came very quickly and was in perfect shape. Thank you so much for the wonderful service.

The collaberation between black and white and color photos is appealing to the senses. Fashion is shown mostly through the images of super models and superstars. Included are photos spanning the decades and the world, with people of all races and ages portrayed. The portraits are refreshing and truly creative, using graphic design in just the right amount. Overall I would rate this as one of the top five fashion books one must have! I also recommend 10 Years of Dolce & Gabbana if you like this book for the great photography and design.

A completely captivating and charming book! Ms. Houtte's writing style is as refined as her vintage style!

As a dabbler in the fabric arts, a student of clothing construction, and someone born with the "thrifting gene," I found her story so engaging I devoured the book in a weekend. Her total lack of snobbery and self-importance was appealing. Here's someone who made their avocation their vocation and still gets excited about working every day. I absolutely loved the stories about her modeling life, how she got into the vintage clothing and accessories business, and most of all her accounts of the people she's met and experiences she's had.

It's not a how-to book (thank goodness!), but the reader can see Ms. Houtte's confidence grow in proportion to her success as a model and later as a business owner. She relates stories of her failures - both personal and professional - with as much élan as she does the stories of her successes. An interesting and refreshing book about things that in and of themselves aren't of any importance, but taken together really add up to a life well-lived.