Fashion Books

I bought this as a gift for my wife who being a costumer and a Star Wars fan both, it seemed like a no-brainer. I have never seen her so excited before. The included materials are impressive, the presentation is impeccable. I was flabbergasted by the amount of material swatches included. Although it's her book, I'm just glad I get access to it whenever I want... mostly... What an awesome book.

I was so excited when my package arrived and couldn't wait to open it.
What i got is an unbelievable box that holds a mass of little treasures, beginning with the little piece of Darth Vaders Cape and continuing with the book itself, the fabric samples or the also included DVD.
Everything is done with so much care for the details and you also get a certificate plus a little card with your book's collectors number. I don't regret my purchase at all. Even though it was a lot of money, it's totally worth it for every fan of the Saga who doesn't just like the ships, battles or lightsaber-fights. Also i have a little suggestion - be careful carrying it around - it is really heavy :)

Ever since I saw Episode One I have been fascinated by the costume designs of the Star Wars universe and finally here is the book that shows just how special these costumes are. With large photographs of the costumes and detailed close ups that show the attention to detail.

Finally my time in a galaxy far, far away has an end?

This book is above and beyond excellent. From the way that the book is packaged, presented and written, not to mention the tangible supplements that are exclusive to this edition - such as the cloth swatch from Darth Vader's cape - what a thrill it is to actually own something that has literally been a part of the Star Wars universe!

This book is highly informative, insightful and entertaining.
Packed full of sumptuous photographs, illustrations, fold-outs, cloth swatches and an exclusive DVD - ANYTHING a Star Wars fan or those with only a passing interest in film costuming could ever want.

This publication is a must. It is simply an absolute joy to behold and a treasure trove for one and all who read it. I'm sure it is destined to become a crown jewel in many a Star Wars fan book collection!

I cannot recommend Dressing a Galaxy enough - go buy it, and May The Force Be With You!

You can buy whatever book you want on the Star Wars films, but not having this one is a crime. Photography is amazingly clear and detailed, the inserts are awesome, and the swatches...forget about it...they are priceless.

This is, by far THE package of the Star Wars empire. Destined to be a classic and one "to die for" in the Star Wars ranks. Don't, let it pass you by.

I used this book w/ my Preschool classroom to use at project time or if we needed to make a Thank You card for someone - a way for them to "sign" it!

This book is awesome and VERY easy to use. It would make a great gift for an early drawer.

This is the perfect craft activity. Cute, fun, simple. I love doing this with my children. I also love doing this with my students as I am an educator. All ages young and old love it. You can use fingerprint art for greeting cards or just making things up. This author is really wonderful. I have many of his children's books.

These are classic books that expand imagination. How could you not love them? I especially like how they encourage kids to draw without making it *too* detail oriented. (Alot can be achieved with a few simple lines!)

As a child who loved to draw - but was all "thumbs" in drawing - Emberley's Thumbprintbook was an amazing gift. Suddenly, I could duplicate the art in a drawing book and then go on to create my own shapes and creations. As I got older, I moved onto his other wonderful art books (such as Red, Puple, Orange, Green), but my thumbprints always remained my favorite.

This is a simple but enlivening art book for preschool and elementary school aged kids. I used it over 25 years ago and it is still a huge success with kids today. Don't miss it!

I have a 7, 5 and 3yr old. They received this book along with a kid-safe ink pad. They love it! It's easy enough for them to follow and they love how easy it is for them to create the different animals and facial expressions. It's actually taught them quite a bit.

A friend gave me this book for my XXXX birthday. It is very enjoyable and easy to read --not full of junk to buy but some really good natural treatments and quality healthfood store stuff. The book has solid advice that men and women can use to look and feel great about themselves at any age.

Letha Hadady's books have helped me to improve my work energy, appearance, and social life. Her latest book Healthy Beauty made it possible for me to lose 15 pounds and have the clear complexion I have always wanted and needed for my consulting work!
What a great gift of health and natural beauty if offers! Bravo!

WOW what an eye-opener! I am using the herbal stuff the author recommends for growing hair and it works! It took 2 months but I can see the new hair growth on top.

Many of the recommendations work for men and woman and each chapter has a section "For Men Only."
A revelation!

Ten stars.

There should be a ten star rating for this book! Letha Hadady has put all we need to know about inner and outer beauty in one wonderful book that is a joy to read. Everything to make you feel and look better is here, including sources for purchasing any items you may need. I've recommended it to many friends and will be giving it as a gift as well-what better gift to give anyone than the gift of health, beauty and well being. Thank you Letha for sharing your wisdom!

I had such fun reading through Hadady's new book Healthy Beauty! Every chapter had inspiring stories, extremely useful information, and timely advice. I have given the book as gifts for birthdays, Mother's Day, and graduations. My friends have loved it!

The art work in the book is lovely and the message inspiring. I have improved my complexion and hair. You don't have to spend a fortune on cosmetics. I learned about some new natural products that actualy improved my health as well as looks. I have revamped my style and color choice in clothes and makeup. Thank you Healthy Beauty.

This book is just full of good information you need to know but aren't taught anywhere. I'm a man and I know that I look and feel more confident when I look as good as I can. This book tells you how to do that and it's practical too...not flashy - just classy. It's nice to know that my favorite shirts are broadcloth material - I now look for them in the stores or online. That standard shoes should include loafers, boots and a pair of wing tips - none of which I had before - but I do now - and they look great. That you should pay attention to the watch you wear - because others do. That you should wash your face twice a day, that you should shave after the shower so the room is steamy...If you are wanting to change your image to one of a well groomed, well dressed man, reading this book is a great start.

MAKE OVER YOUR MAN is a beautiful instructional book guiding women on how to dressing the men in their lives. The intent of the book is to take the average boring wardrobe and transform it into a whole new look bringing out the best in your man. It covers every wardrobe imaginable, even down to the basics, and offers tips on things such as manicures and pedicures, organizing a man's closet, and how to tie a perfect tie. Chapter by chapter, the book offers tips, instructions, charts, photographs and even one-on-one celebrity makeovers to give you all the tools necessary to arm yourself against readying your man for a whole new look. Some of the celebrity makeovers include Tyra Banks and her dad Don Banks, Patti LaBelle and her son Zuri Edwards, and Star Jones with three male friends.

I'd recommend this book to both men and women as a "must have book" that details fashion in a way that isn't boring, but instead colorful, fun, and takes the work out of convincing the guy in your life that a change is needed. The photography helps this book stand out from others sitting on the shelves.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I bought this for myself (I am a man) because I saw excerpts on msn and I thought the writing style was excellent. The book did not disappoint. It reads well, has a lot of nice photos and a listing of merchants in the back. I would not follow the author's advice to the letter, because we all have different styles, but I picked up a lot of helpful information. Although I have always enjoyed shopping for clothes, I ended up with too many clothes, rather than just enough high quality items. I do think the book will have to come out every two or three years with new editions as styles change. For instance, Boston now champions flat front pants instead of pleats and leather soles rather than rubber. In general, he laments dressing down or "business casual." These things change, although he definitely stays away from trendy fashions in favor of more traditional garb. A thoroughly enjoyable and well-written book.

When I heard that your second book was coming out, I was so overjoyed. I just finished reading it on yesterday and wanted to write just to say thank you! You are definitely a God-send. I want you to know that your material and advice has helped cultivate who I have become in terms of my appearance. I didn't come from a "rich" background, from childhood I always dreamed that after I got my education, I wanted to have the appearance of all of those I had admired through the years. Your book has and will help me make the right decisions in regard to what to wear, when to wear, how to wear. I have just moved to a metropolitan area and "image is everything." I am so self-concious at times because I am from Oklahoma and we don't know the first thing about dressing. Moving, I feel so countrified when I go out, I never know if I am fitting in or not. Thanks for the time and effort you put in to helping "brothers" out on what they need to do. "Make Over Your Man," has helped me achieve an inspiration and confidence I need to continue to assert myself. Kudos to you!

This book is designed to enable the caring woman to take charge of the dressing of the man in her life, and make him over. Filled with excellent pictures and tons of sage advice, this book covers everything from shoes to suit coats (no one wears hats anymore, apparently), and everything down to underwear and cufflinks, and even grooming tips. This is the must-have book for any man!

Let me just say that I found this to be a great book. Now, I am not a woman, but in truth a man can benefit enormously from reading this book. I found this book to be very informative, both in its broad outlines and in its details. I think that this is a great book, and I highly recommend it!

Excellent information on the history of gemstones, understanding color and cuts. Exquisite examples, beautifully photographed. A must for anyone interested in gemstones or the history of jewelry.

This is a beautiful book with lots of interesting information on the gem collection.

This review is for the paperback version of the book, which I loved. It has a lovely balance of terrific photos & explanations of the various sources of the featured gems. It serves as a nice beginning reference when you have heard the terms sapphire & red sapphire (huh? I thought red gems were rubys or spinels) and would like to know more about which gems are related to others.

And did I say the photos are just wonderful? Enjoy!

If you have visited the National Collection and want a souvenir to remind you of the stunning array of unique World Class Gems then this is the book for you. Both the format of the book and the superlative quality of the photography make this book the next best thing to being in the exhibition hall. There is a fairly light weight coverage of the gemmology in the text, but it mostly focusses on the history and ownership of these fabulous gems. The National Collection is unique, no where else in the world is there such a concentration of fabulous jewels with such an interesting history, with the possible exception of the British Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. This book is a fitting celebration of such a marvellous collection.

"The National Gem Collection," by Jeffrey E. Post, features photographs by Chip Clark. The book is a beautiful celebration of the title collection, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution. The informative text discusses the history of the collection, facts about types of different gemstones, and specific pieces in the collection.

The full-color photography is really stunning, and brings a rich assortment of gems to glorious life. Some of the historic pieces pictured are the blue Hope Diamond, the diamond Napoleon Necklace, the Hooker Emerald, and more. Also shown are a colorful collection of "fancy" diamonds, a rare red diamond, the 858-carat uncut Gachala Emerald, the delightful "pink tutu" (a band of dainty rose quartz crystals on a large smoky quartz crystal), a dazzling group of fire opals, a lapis lazuli carving from Afghanistan, and more.

I appreciate how the book celebrates gemstones at various stages: uncut, cut, and set in artfully crafted pieces of jewelry. Many different types of gemstones--aquamarine, garnet, spinel, chrysoberyl, turquoise, etc.--are covered. Features such as a scanning electron microscope photo of the inner structure of an opal give the reader a deeper understanding of the science behind gems. From start to finish, this book is a marvelous feast for both the eyes and the brain.

What a delicious selection of quotes about fashion! This book would really help me explain to people why I am obsessed with getting all dressed up in costumes, outfits and accessories. The gorgeous illustrations add to the charming cuteness of the book. These quotes show that there is real meaning and philosophy behind fashion and it's form of self-expression. Clothes and appearance really do make a difference!
An essential book for fashionistas. I shall cherish this book forever!

Toby Tobias' adorable book takes the questioning element out of my daily clothing puzzle. This morning, Edith Sitwell told me to 'be myself'! The in-put from great minds of the past is a radiant rainbow of fun, humor, delight and wit. Ballerina@Large.Dash-Dot

Tobi Tobias' new book, Obsessed by Dress, brings delight far beyond the sensual pleasure of holding a book that is exactly the right hand heft for the object itself. It corroborates ones joy of personal adornment through quotes from those who have the wit and style through the ages to say what you have been thinking and feeling all along about why have arrived a this particular persona. You become marvelous in your own eyes.

One doesn't have to be a clothing aficionado to have a rewarding time with Tobi Tobias's "Obsessed By Dress." A small-size book with a biggness of content, "Obsessed" is alive with famous-person clothing quotes, meticulously researched by Tobias, reflecting her passion for Dress and great writing. Dickens, Proust, Virgil, Keats, Dior, Dorothy Parker, and RuPaul are among those quoted.

This is a lovely book, full of wit and surprises. It's obvious that Tobias has chosen quotes from books with which she is familiar, rather than compiling a hodgepodge of witty bon mots, selected at random. The bonus, in addition to making one think about fashion and its place in civilization, is reminders of books one has read, or wants to read, or should.

Armed with a few quotes from this book and a little black dress, one could conquer any cocktail party in fine style!

This is, quite possibly, the most used book for research of Victorian clothes I have in my library. As a member of the Victoriana Society in South Australia, I've turned to it many times to help design and construct clothing of the period for our events. My copy has been falling to pieces for several years now and the one I just purchased is for the woman who works for me as she is into the clothing as much as I am and kept using mine!!! Note to self, buy a new copy for me.

The book was filled with page after page of clothing and accessories, from swim suits to formal wear. The detail of how women adorned themselves and their outfits was very informative. I know that it catered to the upper-class, but it would have been nice to see more for women of a lower class. Also, there was barely anything for men of any class.

If you're like me and can't afford to purchase thirty one years worth of original Harpers Bazaar publications, this will fill the void. I actually own two, one to cut up and photocopy, so I can play with coloring a dress before I make it. It covers all the minutia of Haute Couture. Gowns for different occasions, times of day, traveling, dressing gowns, nightwear and undergarments. It also has plates for accessories, shoes, jewelry, gloves, stockings, hats. There are hair combs, ornaments, extensions, and a couple styling techniques. Children's clothing is also included. The major fashion plates have fairly detailed descriptions of the garment features.

There is also a good glossary of terms and colors in the back of the book. Which is a great help for some of the more obscure descriptions.

Too bad there's no color plates.....leaves more for the imagination to fill in I suppose. And BOY will this book keep you dreaming!

Dover Publications are the go-to people for books on 19th-century fashion, and Stella Blum's "Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898" is at the top of the list. Like the companion volume by Joanne Olian, "Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from 'La Mode Illustree'" (another book on this topic that I've given 5 stars), this book comprehensively shows, in splendid black-and-white illustrations taken directly from the old "Harper's Bazar" (note the spelling!) the changing feminine fashions of the Victorian and Edwardian periods over the 31-year period from 1867 to 1898. Every illustration is at least full-page (there are some breathtaking double-page spreads) and accompanied by brief descriptive text. I would definitely put it on the list of books that every student of 19th-century costume must own.

Victorian Fashions and Costumes is eye candy for anyone interested in fashion history.

The arrangement of the book in chronological order by year makes it very easy to find historically correct garments, accessories, and hair styles. A brief overview of characteristics specific to the era is included in each section. Most pictures have captions that identify the type of garment and often the fabrics and colors used in a garment.

I used information in this book to create a bodice and bustle representative of the period for a skirt Mary Todd Lincoln wore in 1872 in England.

With all the historical patterns available in the major pattern books, the costumer or reenactor can find a basic pattern and add the correct construction details and embellishments. I enjoy browsing the book and wondering what life was like for the women who wore these clothes. If you are looking for information about the clothing worn by the common woman, you won't find it here. After all, this is from Harper's Bazar, the Vogue of the 19th Century.

Becky

I bought a number of digital textile design books. This one is the most updated and simple in terms of the instructions. Also, the author is extremely accessible and available for support, questions and feedback. He was fantastic and very helpful!

As a Graphic Designer, I made a research and bough four products that were supose to solve textil design, and this was the best, It gives you meny alternatives: also the seller stood beside me when nedded.

I love this book! It saved me hours in learning specific aspects of textile design using photoshop - plus the author makes himself available for technical assists. Awesome.

This is an excellent book for textile designers. Easy to follow and Frederick has been a pleasure to work with. Thanks again!

This book took me to an advanced level of textile design! It was like taking a course in textile design in college except you can actually do things when you're finished! I'm ecstatic that I found this book. I have learned many new techniques. The explanations are very clear, precise and complete! I recommend this wonderful book and I fell grateful that Mr. Chipkin generously shared his years of experience. It's a book for professionals, freelancers and an essential book for the students.

What a Godsend this book has been for me! I always had the desire and "stats" but never the information and/or direction I've needed to break into the modeling business. Thanks to Judy Goss and her book, I have finally been able to achieve my dream. I now have an agent and have begun working thanks to carefully following the advice in this book, (which is comprehensive and easy for the layperson to understand!) It's a MUST READ If you want to be a model in any capacity! A bestseller, to be sure!
Laura S, -Model

Excellent book! Judy Goss tells it like it really is. She is straightforward, honest and gives accurate, step-by-step instructions on breaking into (and staying in) the world of modeling.

Drawing from 20 years experience, she reveals industry secrets that help the reader learn how to avoid costly scams, what the top agencies look for, how to assess the type of model you are, best ways to find local and foreign representation and much, much more.

I highly recommend this book for aspiring and working models of any age and for parents of kids interested in modeling. There is so much to learn and this book teaches it all!

Karen Murphy, Model, CESD Talent Agency, NYC

I am a father with two beautiful Daughters, Wanting the best for them is a fathers dream. One of my daughters wants to be a model and dreams for becoming one for which I encourage. The cost of modeling I heard and been told is very to expensive to just give it a shot. When I heard about Ms. Goss's book, I read it cover to cover and love what I read. Her words were of Truth and passion, no lies no promises no fantasies. I hope I can take her knowledge and turn it into a career fro my Daughter. Anyone who wants to help the child find the dream should read the book they will be glad they did.

finally, someone who understands the ins & outs of modelling & is willing to share the inside scoop without charging a small fortune! as a parent of a teen, i recommend this book to anyone trying to help their child break into this challenging industry!!

This book is a must read if you are considering getting into modeling. Judy's expertise will save you time and money. Highly recommended!

This is a very pretty book with great photo's and information. I have had people already try to take it to read but i'm not lending this one out just yet. Love the book.

Theonly problem with this book I would have to say is that the dress on the cover is amazing so amazing I can't find anyone anywhere! If you can in some way help me to get a dress like that one or find that on. I have prom coming up and that dress is amazing I would do anything to get that dress, thanks for reading this and your book is great!

A great history of the corset, for both men and women. A must read for anyone interested in the history of costume.

Love the book!! Its a must have for any corset lover! Detailed history and pictures.

Steele's books all feature informative text and beautiful pictures. In "The Corset", she discusses this mysterious undergarment and dispels myths, explains sociological and feminist aspects of it, and looks at controversies surrounding it throughout time.

Steele discusses fashion from so many perspectives: class, gender, art, sexuality, medical, historical, and anthropological, and she does so with insight and clarity. Tracing its antecedents and moving to contemporary times, Steele outlines its influences on fashion and society.

For anyone interested in deeply understanding this beautiful and controversial garment, Steele is the author to read. She merges the world of fashion with academia. This book is fascinating and insightful!