Costume History And Style

Well organized survey of the history of dress in the Western world. Examines the development of styles in relation to the cultural contexts of the time.

Tracing the evolution of fashion-from the early draped fabrics of ancient times to the catwalk couture of today, Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style is a stunningly illustrated guide to more than three thousand years of shifting trends and innovative developments in the world of clothing. With a wealth of breathtaking spreads-from ancient Egyptian dress to Space Age Fashion and Grunge-and information on icons like Marie Antoinette, Clara Bow, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Alexander McQueen, Fashion will captivate anyone interested in style-whether it's the fashion-mad teen in Tokyo, the wannabe designer in college, or the fashionista intrigued by the violent origins of the stiletto and the birth of bling.

Paris has been the international capital of fashion for more than 300 years. Even before the rise of the haute couture, Parisians were notorious for their obsession with fashion, and foreigners eagerly followed their lead. From Charles Frederick Worth to Gabrielle "Coco†? Chanel, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent, fashion history is dominated by the names of Parisian couturiers. But Valerie Steele's Paris Fashion is much more than just a history of great designers. This fascinating book demonstrates that the success of Paris ultimately rests on the strength of its fashion culture – created by a host of fashion performers and spectators, including actresses, dandies, milliners, artists, and writers. First published in 1988 to great international acclaim, this pioneering book has now been completely revised and brought up to date, encompassing the rise of fashion's multiple world cities in the 21st century. Lavishly illustrated, deeply learned, and elegantly written, Valerie Steele's masterwork explores with brilliance and flair why Paris remains the capital of fashion.

A visual encyclopedia of historical dress, pinpointing the key developments in each period from the ancients to the 20th century. After a brief review of the ancient world, the book moves on to European trends from the medieval period to World War I. American styles are also covered in detail from 1840. Key developments in each period are pinpointed; historical chronologies set style changes in context.

A History of Fashion and Costume is an eight-volume set that examines the development of costume and fashion over time, from the earliest cave dwellers to the present, along with the social history that gave rise to it. Introducing readers to the rich world of fashion and dress, this set vividly depicts the changing styles, processes, and trends--"from the first people to wear clothes in the last Ice Age to the courtly fashion of medieval Europe to the globalization of Western style--"that led us to the clothing of today.

Tracing the evolution of fashion--from the early draped fabrics of ancient times to the catwalk couture of today--a stunning guide illustrates more than 3,000 years of shifting trends and innovative developments in the world of clothing.