Costumes Books

This survey of women's fashion issues in 1930s Hollywood provides a fine social history of 1930s film style, survey the impact of female celebrities on fashion and showing how Hollywood used actresses as models during a time of social change. Screen Style explores changes in fashion marketing approaches during the 1930s and is a recommended pick for students of fashion history.

Annette Green, President Emeritus of The Fragance Foundation and Linda Dyette, a great jewelry and design expert, wrote an extremely interesting and intriguing book about the history perfume as ornamentation. Their gorgeous book is beautifully illustrated and traces the story of perfume as an ornament from early history to the late 1990s. The book shows that while perfume bottles were sometimes collectors' items, aromatic jewelry has reinvented itself according to the fashion of the era: rings, lapel pins, earrings and even whistles have all carried perfume. The book is very well researched and has beautiful illustrations.

With this book Dollimore analyzes sexuality in terms of the differing conceptions of Andre Gide and Oscar Wilde. Where Wilde saw surface and performance, Gide saw a representation of essential self. Taking Wilde's side in the argument, Dollimore uses this analysis to deconstruct sexuality as it appears in early texts.

I just got a copy of this book, and I was totally impressed by it. The pictures in the book are amazing, of the highest quality, and they are taken with an excellent eye. The book contains snapshots from shoes around the world, showing the people that wear them and what they do when they wear them. Many cultures and peoples are represented here, and it made me want to go out and see these places! Definitely a must have book for every child. (and every adult with a child's sense of wonder)

For anyone interested in silk textiles, or historic European costumes and furnishings, this book is a must. Well researched, it provides an excellent description of the history of the silk textile industry from its early days, with particular emphasis on the French silk industry. The photographs are superb and serve to clearly illustrate points in the text. The quality of the photos is such that one can see weave details; you can almost 'feel' the textiles. I highly recommend the book.

I spent two days reading and enjoying the wonderful content of this book. Donna Cardwell has gone to great lengths to show every aspect of Silk art embroidery as well as create a charming description for every piece of embroidery she has shown. The close up and colorful pictures are marvelous. Donna has inverviewed the best of the best when it comes to these fine linen techniques. Since I am a virtual "novice" in the world of linens and lace, I will treasure this book as a source for my on-going research and collection. Thank you Donna, for supplying a guidebook and a truely remarkable and fun reading experience that I am sure, will be enjoyed by all who read it. Sincerely, Marjorie Bednarek-White Bear Lake, MN

Very easy transaction. Very prompt seller. Well packaged book. Thank you!

"Skirts are an important garment type for dancers no matter what style of costume they choose. This booklet is filled with design ideas that go beyond the standard "three panel" skirt. From gores to godets, tiers to panels, this booklet includes directions for turning your body measurements into patterns customized to your figure."....captured from authors web.site

A oversize volume consisting mainly of 183 illustrations, most of them full-page and about half of them color. The color plates resemble Currier & Ives prints and would be suitable for framing if the book was broken up. Introductory text and captions in English.

Between 1927 and 1933 a rare experiment in textile making took place in the Soviet Union, with political changes encouraging a group of designers to create thematic textile designs which mass-produced symbols of modernity for the average person -- symbols intended to encourage the ideal soviet citizen idea. While the experiment failed, the artistic results of the idea linger in bold and different designs now chronicled in SOVIET TEXTILES. Color photos of textiles accompany social, political and artistic history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch