Costumes Books

I haven't put this book down. The pictures and illustrations are beautiful and the text is interesting and informative. As a member of an historical recreation group I find this book is a "treasure" itself. I have been inspired by its contents and am all ready planning several projects. If you have an interest in the history of embroidery, textiles, or the history of Bess of Hardwick Hall and the Elizabethan world, this is a book you will enjoy!

Santina Levey is well known and admired in the circles of textile history, research and curatorship. This is a book that will appeal to the historian, the feminist, the needleworker, the restorer and the reader who simply wants to hear a rousing good story about fascinating characters. The plates are excellent. A good read and a good reference all in one. Well Done Ms. Levey, as usual. I eagerly await the catalogue.

This is a terrific book. It not only gives a good look at the Hardwick Hall textiles, but also interesting insights into the motivations and prejudices of the Hardwick family at that time.

Great photographs and descritpions give a total view of the textiles and the life and interests of one Elizabethan family.

Whether you are a lover of beautiful embroidery or a needleworker looking for inspiration, this book is an invaluable addition to any library. The photographs are excellent quality high resolution so that each stitch is visible. Both the introductory text and picture captions are full of rich information with details such as thread count, size, provenance, even carbon dating as well background on patterns and practices. This is a book that can be read again and again - well worth the price

One of the most interesting books I have purchased for some time.
Very well researched and presented.
I have recently attended an excellent class on this subject and am now endeavouring to receate some of these embroideries.

Large all color plates and detailed notes about construction and stitches make this book an invaluable resource for anyone researching medieval Islamic embroidery.

One cannot absorb this book in one reading. There is just too much to see and learn. The writer speaks in English English, so an American must change mental gears with a few of her terms(Adds a little spice!)Knowing the existing conditions when a new development in design or materials began helps to set the scene in your mind. While there are many illustrations, there are not as many as in other quality books - but this book's strong point is in the history of the times and of the designers and manufacturers.

One cannot absorb this book in one reading. There is just too much to see and learn. The writer speaks in English English, so an American must change mental gears with a few of her terms(Adds a little spice!)Knowing the existing conditions when a new development in design or materials began helps to set the scene in your mind. While there are many illustrations, there are not as many as in other quality books - but this book's strong point is in the history of the times and of the designers and manufacturers.

One cannot absorb this book in one reading. There is just too much to see and learn. The writer speaks in English English, so an American must change mental gears with a few of her terms(Adds a little spice!)Knowing the existing conditions when a new development in design or materials began helps to set the scene in your mind. While there are many illustrations, there are not as many as in other quality books - but this book's strong point is in the history of the times and of the designers and manufacturers.

I've loved this book ever since I found it via interlibrary loan some years ago, and I added it to my library the first chance I got. The book is mostly, as I stated, a pictorial archive, divided by particular items of fashion; as webmaster of For the Love of Opera Gloves, I particularly appreciated that Ms. Englemeier devoted a section to the gloves of the great glamour girls of cinema. :) But there's something here for everyone, and the quality of the photo reproduction is top-notch! If you're building a comprehensive library on film costuming - like I'm attempting to do - you HAVE to have this book.

This book is wonderful for people who want to get a feel for what dressing like a star meant in the Golden Age of Hollywood. A must-have in a fashionable collection. It is beautifully put together with a few recent fashions thrown in. It includes a list of the past Oscar winners for Best Costume Design.

Feast your eyes on an amazing array of black and white film photos from seven decades of fashion - simply gorgeous!

I recently received this book as a birthday present from a friend of mine. Both of us work extensively in the fashion industry. Without question, it is now one of my favorite coffee table books. The imagery is eye candy and the history throughout is compelling. An absolutely brilliant buy whether you're entrenched in the industry or simply love clothes!

This book is HUGE and full of wonderful pictures of the clothing collection at the Kyoyo Costume Institute. There are also intorductions to each time period written by the different curators and directors of the museum. I would highly recommend this to any one looking for beautiful examples of clothing.

the larger focuses in the book are 18th and 20th century dress.

I am thrilled with this book! It is mostly a photo survey of the superb collection of the Kyoto Institutes European and American clothing. The fashion spans 200 years of masterful works by both couture designers and unknown artisans. There is more focus on high fashion and women's wear. There are some 18th century pieces of men's wear. The photography is high quality and all full color. The dresses are displayed with full accessories on bisque white mannequins that are styled specifically to each time period. The mannequins also have wigs styled appropriately, also done in an unobtrusive white, altogether giving a well rounded representation of each periods unique composition. Not only are there full page photos of whole garments, but often they include different angles, close-ups, interiors, and some construction details. There is supporting written material at the beginning of the chapters. There is a particular focus on indicating how western fashion adopted designs, fabrics or styles indigent to Japan. It is a unique perspective to read commentary written by a different culture about my own culture. This book is a superb publication. I haven't even scratched the surface of what it includes. I should also note, that the fashions represented in the 1960's to the 1990's tend to be less relevant for actual wear, and more for art. For example, the paper "Campbell's Soup" dress inspired by Andy Warhol. But for the early 1960's and all the previous decades of fashion I don't think you will be disappointed. I also own "Fashion in Detail" by Avril Hart and Susan North, and I found the Kyoto book to be far superior.

This is a great book, but you should know that it is not a second edition of Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 1. It is the second volume of the anthology, and a different book with all different patterns. The title is actually Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 2: Evening, Bridal, Sports, Outerwear, Accessories, and Dressmaking 1877-1882. It's just as good as Volume 1, none of the information is the same except the intro on how to use the patterns, and the dressmaking manual is really unique.

I heard both volumes were published but it took me awhile to find the second one on Amazon because it was mislisted. So I thought I'd warn other people.

I just reviewed Volume 1, where I said the book contains a huge selection of patterns. Volume 2 focuses on patterns for evening dresses, bridal wear, sports wear, and outer wear. The chapters on accessories and trimmings contain some needlework patterns, embroidery and so on. I figure if I don't do the handwork I'll still have learned a lot about buying appropriate materials.

I bought both volumes, but they are organized so you can use them separately. Both contain the instructions for using the book and the special rulers that allow you to draft patterns to fit you. They also both have a big glossary, a bibliography, and two indexes.

Volume 2 has something really special though--a dressmaking manual. The book says it was rewritten from numerous rare original sources that are listed in the bibliography. But it's been rewritten so it doesn't read that way; you can't tell where any source begins or ends. That makes the manual a lot easier to use. And it's so long it could have been published as a book by itself. I'm glad to have it, because I've never been able to find a comprehensive sewing manual for this period. It even has corset-making instructions (the corset patterns are in Volume 1).

Both volumes are very well edited and produced. This is not a cheap printing job.

Anyone who does Old West reenactment or Victorian teas would love these books!

Frances Grimble shares her meticulous vision with us once again. A great two book series full of facinating information and patterns galore. I cannot wait to clothe many a pretty lady using them. Not for the faint of heart. The patterns are period correct and I would advise an advanced skill level, or a great deal of patience. Always do a mock up. Remember these are patterns of the age. So start at the skin and work your way out to a glorious new costume.
Enjoy.

this is a magnificent collection of quilts. like many other quilters, i have quite a few books devoted to antique quilts--whether museum or state project collections or the quilts of other countries. this is one of the best.

many of the quilts shown are unlke any others i've seen in any source. the range and wealth of design and originality are breathtaking and inspirational.

the sections dealing with women's roles in 19th century america and their relation to botany is well written and very interesting.

the photos and written descriptions of the quilts are very good. it would, of course, have been lovely to have had detailed shots of the quilting, but that is possibly the only criticism i have about this book.

definitely a book for any quilter's library, and also valuable to anyone interested in the lives of 19th century women.

This book presents 53 full color quilts from the Ardis and Robert James collection at the Nebraska State Museum. The quilts are all superb examples of cut-out chintz applique, album style, applique, pieced and some crazy quilts. It examines the influence of gardening and botanizing on 19th century quilt designs. I highly recommend this book to the quilter, or quilt lover. It gives a detailed description of each quilt, and brings out design elements that might otherwise be overlooked. I own many quilt documentation books and have not seen most of the quilts in this book before. Many have never been publicly displayed before. It is absolutly gorgeous. Buy it!!! You will not be disappointed.

Enhanced with 53 color plates, 11 b/w illustrations, five charts and an index, A Flowering Of Quilts is a superbly presented compendium of the quilter's art with selections drawn from the Ardis and Robert James Collection of the International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska. A spectrum of quilting styles is presented including cut-out chintz applique quilts, album-style quilts, red-and-green floral applique quilts, pieced quilts, crazy quilts, and more. Each botanically inspired quilt is supported with a detailed description of its applique, piecing, and quilting techniques, as well as historical, horticultural, and botanical background information on the quilt's design and execution. Informative essays explore the nineteenth century women's sustained interest in botany and examine the parallels between their flower garden designs of the era. A Flowering Of Quilts is a strongly recommended addition to any personal, professional, academic, or community library needlecraft reference collection.

This was the text book for my history of costume and other classes at University. It, along with it's brief but incredibly helpful pattern book are my first stop whenever creating an historical costume. I have walls of books on the subject but this is, for me, definitive. Dear Lucy, her research is impeccable, her hints on construction are invaluable and the illustrations are informative. I was a professional theatrical costume designer and maker for years and I have always kept this one for my best reference. It is followed, but not supplanted by the Janet Arnold books. These experts knew the extant garments of these periods and were respected by people in their own fields as well as the museum curators, etc. Get this one by all means!

For all the costume books out there- glitzy,gorgeous, full color photos & all- this book is the bedrock for all of them & for any aspiring- or working!- designer this is the foundation of your library. I am offering it as a text for my History of Costume class, as its clearheaded descriptions of historic garments & life are the basis of my lectures anyway; my students mught lose my handouts but it's too great a book to lose!

This was the textbook for my college History of Costume class. I majored in fashion design, subsequently went on to become a theatre costume designer, and for every costume, every show I have ever designed, this book was the initial source. I have NEVER seen a better overall costume reference. A must for anyone with a fascination for human apparel.

I grew up with this book and I adore it. I've yet to find anything even CLOSE to this book- it's amazing.

There are clear line drawings, four to a page, for each fashion cycle- sometimes as little as 5 years, sometimes a thousand years apart. The shifts and transformation in styles are made clear, and the notes about what colors, fabrics, and cuts were popular are amazing.

This is THE ULTIMATE guide to historical fashion and if it's not reprinted, it's a damn shame.

NOTHING beats Wilcox's various costume books. They are invaluable references for designers, costumers, teachers and historians. I wish they would reprint them again. I constantly recommend them, especially THE MODE IN COSTUME. And the clear simple line drawings copy and scan better than any others I have ever come across. I would LOVE a digital version of this book.

This is an excellent reference for all costumers. There are extensive pictures of garmets, hairstyles, shoes, and textile patterns for every period from early Byzantium to at least the 40's. Although it is (currently) out of print, seek it out at your library or bookstore till they bring it back!

Carole Zucker has just given us the finest book ever written on British actors.'In the Company of Actors...' is an entertaining, informative and thorough investigation into the lives and craft of some of Britain and Ireland's most popular and accomplished thespians. This particular book is so far away from the standard "actor's biography" that it would be futile to compare it to any other publication around today. It simply stands apart on all level. It is most certainly destined to become a classic. Meeting with such famous figures as Eileen Atkins, Alan Bates, Nigel Hawthorne, Stephen Rea and Miranda Richardson (among others), the author is cleverly dissolving herself into the background of the interviewing process, thus allowing the actors to really open up and to freely speak about what constitutes acting for theatre, film and television. Zucker succeeds in creating a climate of intimacy never before reached (in any given interview), and her book will make you feel like a privileged reader with a direct access into the minds of these extremely talented people. There are even moments of self-revelation which makes 'In the Company of Actors..' a brillant excercise in deep social interaction. It is an impressive display of professional savoir-faire on the part of Mrs. Zucker and a major contribution to acting studies as a whole. For the aspiring actor, the book also offers a lot of insights into the business. Whether it be Stephen Rea explaining the differences between the Irish, British and American film industries, or Academy Award nominee Janet McTeer discussing the difficulty of being a woman actor (in a male-dominated world), the book covers all bases from all angles, and no stones are left unturned. Subtely broaching theoretical and practical concerns about acting, 'In the Company of Actors...' is accessible to both, the neophyte and the acting student. If you are interested in knowing more about this wonderful and crazy profession, do yourself a favor and go buy this amazing book now!

Don't let the "reflections" of the title throw you: this is no drowsy academic tome. This is a fascinating read for anyone interested in actors and acting. Many of the subjects are relatively unknown on this side of the Atlantic, but if you care about the process of real acting, this book will take you in, chapter by chapter. Critic Kenneth Tynan said "The study of actors should be a full-time task, worthy of the same passionate scholarship which lepidopterists devote to butterflies." What we have here is that passion's result, and Carole Zucker has given voice to the butterflies.

Carole Zucker has just given us the finest book ever written on British actors.'In the Company of Actors...' is an entertaining, informative and thorough investigation into the lives and craft of some of Britain and Ireland's most popular and accomplished thespians. This particular book is so far away from the standard "actor's biography" that it would be futile to compare it to any other publication around today. It simply stands apart on all level. It is most certainly destined to become a classic. Meeting with such famous figures as Eileen Atkins, Alan Bates, Nigel Hawthorne, Stephen Rea and Miranda Richardson (among others), the author is cleverly dissolving herself into the background of the interviewing process, thus allowing the actors to really open up and to freely speak about what constitutes acting for theatre, film and television. Zucker succeeds in creating a climate of intimacy never before reached (in any given interview), and her book will make you feel like a privileged reader with a direct access into the minds of these extremely talented people. There are even moments of self-revelation which makes 'In the Company of Actors..' a brillant excercise in deep social interaction. It is an impressive display of professional savoir-faire on the part of Mrs. Zucker and a major contribution to acting studies as a whole. For the aspiring actor, the book also offers a lot of insights into the business. Whether it be Stephen Rea explaining the differences between the Irish, British and American film industries, or Academy Award nominee Janet McTeer discussing the difficulty of being a woman actor (in a male-dominated world), the book covers all bases from all angles, and no stones are left unturned. Subtely broaching theoretical and practical concerns about acting, 'In the Company of Actors...' is accessible to both, the neophyte and the acting student. If you are interested in knowing more about this wonderful and crazy profession, do yourself a favor and go buy this amazing book now!