Book Description

Book Description

A lively look at the ways in which American women in the 1920s transformed their lives through performance and fashion. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An interesting look at life for women in the 1920s.
The author's basic premise is that in the 1920s, women used display to resist, while at times seeming to conform to, those who would have squeezed them into the molds of how society would have them appear. In the first few chapters, she does a good job of this. Especially insightful is the example of her own grandmother, who as a young woman in this time period, disguised both her bobbed hair and her married state so that she could continue in her chosen profession as teacher.

However, in the latter two chapters of the book, the author seems to focus more on the exploitation of women by the theatre industry and it's effects. In this, she seems to stray too far from her theme. It would have been better if she had had more examples like that of her grandmother which supported her theme, rather than diverging off of the topic.

I really do recommend this book at least for the initial chapters, which are an interesting look at the attitudes of an era that has been very much stereotyped. It gives you an idea of the some of the restrictions that would have been felt by a woman who was, not a Gretta Garbo or Clara Bow, but an average person trying to live from day to day. ... Read more

Book Description

A valuable primer on the fashion industry for the 21st century! Fashion Design is the definitive reference for anyone who is considering acareer in the fashion industry. It describes the qualities and skills needed tobecome a fashion designer; examines the wide range of career opportunitiesavailable; and gives an authoritative, balanced overview of the fashion businesstoday.Using an approach that unites history, theory, and practice, Fashion Design aimsto inform and inspire. Packed with over 300 illustrations, here is practicalguidance and proven advice on such topics as the uses and language of clothing;patterns and fabrics; measuring, cutting, draping, and sewing; building acollection; researching and sketching; portfolios and self-presentation; plusmuch more. It equips aspiring designers and other fashion professionals with avaluable road map to this competitive, cutthroat industry. It also serves as anexcellent reference and career guide for professionals interested in retailbuying, marketing and sales, and other areas of the fashion business. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

EXCELLENT BOOK!
I've read this book and the moment I opened it, I couldn't put it down! (I lost weight reading this book) Not only does the author cover how to break into the industry, she covers the basic ways to create clothing. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! ... Read more

Book Description

Fashion illustration is hot. More and more, the most arresting visual images seen today are not photographed, they are stylishly drawn. This smart, sophisticated, trendsetting book showcases the work of 29 of the world's top fashion illustrators-an international galaxy of talent whose evocative illustrations often seem to define what is hip and contemporary.

The artists, who include Ruben Alterio, Mats Gustafson, Jean-Philippe Delhomme, and Jeffrey Fulvimari (the illustrator of Madonna's The English Roses), are divided stylistically into three groups: Sensualists (who work in the fine arts tradition with paint, ink, woodblocks, and stencils, and who concentrate as much on the process of illustration as the subject); Gamines & Sophisticates (whose work is figurative and who use caricature and cartooning to create characters and comment on behavior); and Technocrats (those wizards of computer-generated art who are exploring the limits of illustration's newest frontier). Together, these illustrators are revitalizing the marriage of art and fashion in the new millennium. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great for inspiring fashion illustrators
Okay so it took me FOREVER to find and buy this book only to find out its the samd as Borrelli's Stylishly Drawn...and I mean EXACTLY like it nothings different aobut the 2.

Despite that I love the illustrations in it. They are very very very inspiring and helpful to fashion students and illustrators alike. ENJOY!

Great illustration ideas
I'm currently trying to create my own fashion portfolio for entry into university, the problem with me is i usually have tons of wonderful ideas, but because i'm a complete beginner my presentation skills and methods are limited. This book enlightened me on many kinds of media i could explore with.
This book gave me numerous ideas, and i always return to the book for more inspiration whenever i feel stuck.

Whether you're someone who's into classical methods or someone who loves to design digitally, this book is for you.

Excellent Book
I've been searching for this book 2 years now, I finally found it here. For those who like fashion illustration or design in general this is a great reference book. The illustrations are sophisticated and most of them are sure to become classics in the future -Jordi Labanda, Jean Philipe Delhomme or Anja Knoencke.

The thing is that i found out after buying this book (that is kind of scarce to find) that Stylishly Drawn also by Laird Borrelli is nothing else that the same book but published under a different house editor.

This book is worth the waiting and look i`m not an illustratior or fashion designer, but a graphic designer.

cheers for a job well done! ... Read more

Book Description

French pochoir prints from the glorious Art Deco era present women's fashion designs in their most original era. Chosen from the period 1924 to 1931, this clothing was revolutionary and has been the epitome of haute couture designers ever since. The most famous clothing designers of the time are represented abundantly, including Charles Worth, Jean Patou, Paul Poiret, Lucien Lelong, Joseph Paquin and many others. The hand printed illustrations are each little masterpieces, often admired and collected themselves for their fine details and originality. ... Read more

Book Description

Light is the key to quality glamour photography, and Lighting for Glamour Photography is for any photographer looking to take his or her glamour photography to the next level. Photographers learn how to analyze light; how to make it work for them; and ultimately, how to take better, high-quality glamour photographs. With clear and easy-to-understand diagrams next to each photo explaining how the shot was set up-the position of the lights, the filters, film, camera, and lens used-photographers will feel ready to choose the right equipment, set up their own shots, and get solid results from the beginning. This new edition has been completely updated to include information on digital photography, as well as to reflect current styles in glamour photography. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A mix of old and new
I had been on the waiting list for this new book for several months and finally it arrived today. The key here is that it is the "revised" edition of the one printed in 1994, with about half of the images and text coming from the original book (I have them here opened side-by-side for comparison). I was disappointed in how the publisher simply scanned the old pages of photos and reprinted them with much less quality than the original printing. So going through the book, though the pictures are quite professional and the models are gorgeous, the obvious lack of print quality (quite poor actually) for half of the book is a big detractant for the viewer. The remaining new material is printed well with some stunning examples of glamour photography at its best. David and Duncan - why did you allow Amphoto to ruin your excellent past work with such sloppy printing??!! If one can get past that (and it's difficult), the context of the book is top notch with great advise and new sections on shooting digital. I had to give this book only three stars since the photographic reproduction of the original book's photos were so poor. ... Read more

Book Description

Revealing the infinite variety of the "World's Hottest Woman" (Rolling Stone)

She's the hottest French export since Brigitte Bardot. She's graced the runways of Galliano and Gaultier and appeared on hundreds of magazine covers worldwide. And in a world of gaunt, underfed, pale models, she's a bodacious, curvy, voluptuous breath of fresh air. She's Laetitia Casta. Called "the sexiest model" by Details and "the most beautiful woman in the world" by Paris Match, Laetitia Casta is on her way to becoming the supreme supermodel of the decade.

Featuring the stunning, revealing, and erotic photography of Ritts and Isserman, Laetitia is filled with the most sensuous photographs ever taken of this modern-day Aphrodite. Complete with accompanying essays on Laetitia's world and her outlook on life, and including previously unpublished photographs and a full-color poster, Laetitia is the sexiest book in bookstores this year.

Already a frequent cover girl, Laetitia is the new face of L'Oreal and a featured model for the Victoria's Secret catalog. She has starred in ads for Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, and several Guess campaigns. She made her screen debut in this year's film Asterix and Obelix, with Gerard Depardieu, and she has appeared in three Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues. ... Read more

Reviews (42)

"Laetitia" is like a great beauty with spinach on her teeth.
Laetitia Casta is, of course, a spectacularly beautiful and shapely model, and the photographers represented in the eponymous book are among the best and most fashionable in the world. Alas, the photos are vandalized by the worst reproduction and printing quality in a photo book in recent years. Previews of the book in "Photo" and other magazines carry greatly superior reproductions of the images which here are out of focus and muddy. "Forms", by Patrick Demarchelier, carries several of the same images and a comparison of the two books is utterly humiliating for the dreadful Laetitia. As for the color images -- well, only the mini poster glued to the back cover offers anything worth viewing. Don't buy the book without seeing it first, so you can be sure of what you are -- and are not -- getting.

Must have for people who appreciate beauty
This book shows the career path of arguably the most beautiful woman on the planet. When Calvin Klein was talking about 'Supermodel is dead', there came Laetitia, fresh at 16 years old. And then when all the other models are looking doped and skinny, there came Laetitia, full-bodied and absolutely voluptuous with almost no straight line visible all over her 'look'. Then she took the whole fashion world by storm. Now she is one of the most featured model on magazine covers, Victoria's Secret Catalogue and countless fashion shows around the world. If you caught her on the Late Show with Dave Berriman, you know how wonderful this young girl is. I call her 'bubbly', very cheerful, lovely smile with a positive personality.

This book, with the most gorgeous photography displays the utmost in human beauty, well, the utmost in HEALTHY human beauty.

beautiful
This book let all my dreams come true. The best Laetitia pictures, her views on life/career, and what the designers think of her. This is the best book I have of art and she is indeed the best model ever. Everyone should be able to adleast see this book once in their lives to see what perfection is.

the most gorgeous of God's creation
A beautiful woman is God's ultimate creation and gift to mankind. Laetitia Casta stands above as the most gorgeous female of her generation. Only Raquel Welch of the last generation or Sofia Loren of the generation before that can challenge Laetitia as the most gorgeous woman since the invention of the photograph. I am not interested in Laetitia's inner beauty or her mind. I admire her for the work of art that she is. With the help of make-up artists and photographers, this book presents to us the ultimate beauty. Laetitia's physical beauty surpasses the art of a Rembrant, the music of Wagner, the poetry of Dante, or the sculpture of Michael Angelo.

intelligence
Laetitia has such a beautiful heart, I am so pleased to see that she hasnt changed such a positive oulook on life. Brilliant book, I almost love her body as much as she does. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (10)

One of the most beautiful books I have seen
Being familiar with two earlier Kyoto Costume Institute (KCI) publications--The Evolution of Fashion (19th & 20th Century) and The Revolution of Fashion (18th Century)--I was excited to discover that Taschen had produced a new book covering fashions from the 18th to the 20th Century found in the KCI collection. Although I was concerned that this new book might just be a revision and compilation of photos from the two earlier exhibits (with, perhaps, some additional costumes to cover the second-half of the 20th Century), at 700+ pages, I figured there must be at least a few new entries.

The book arrived today and I have been unable to put it down. As soon as I opened the book, I knew that my fears had been unfounded. The new book not only includes costumes found in the earlier books, but includes detailed close-ups of those costumes and many new costumes. The depth of color and detail in the photos is extraordinary. (Taschen is well known for the quality of its publications.) Although the text accompanying the photos is generally quite minimal--limited in many cases to date, description and the inventory number of each piece--it will often include some historical information in an introduction to a period or style. Moreover, many of the 20th Century entries are preceded by a short biographical sketch of the designer whose fashions follow.

The KCI is well-known for its extensive collection of Western costume. One of the Institute's rather unique features lies in its presentation of those costumes. Rather than laying the clothes out flat, they are displayed on manikins in the manner in which they would have been worn--including shoes, hats, gloves, purses, fans, etc. Through this book, Taschen has succeeded in making the KCI collection accessible to the rest of the world.

(As testament to the quality and beauty of this book, two co-workers I showed the book to today--people who are not costumers or designers--have placed their orders for a copy.)

Without a doubt, this book will be a well-treasured addition to my library.

The Only Costume/Fashion Book You Will Ever Need
If you like costume and fashion history, this is the book for you. It is everything I look for in a book on this subject...a detailed, clear picture on every page, a brief description of what I am looking at, and a sensible timeline. This book is a grand overview of the Kyoto Costume Collection which, in less than 30 years, has become one of the major collections and resource centers for fashion. It shows many pieces that I have not seen in other books and collections, and includes detail photographs of the outfit as well as a full length view. I own 2 copies and tirelessly recommend this book and give it out as gifts.

Worth Every Penny and Much More!
This beautiful book blew me away! As a long time fashionista I always crave a book of many color pages showing lots and lots of exquisite dresses from centuries past as much as the last few decades and this book does it up right in spades for anyone who loves to look at page after page of full page color photographs showing loads of very fine detail in haute couture...over 650 pages of this, with a really fine quality printing of the images.
First rate! Should be in every serious fashionista's library!

this book is one of the best
This book is spectacular. I have nothing bad to say about it at all. It chronicles fashion from the 18th century to today, and it shows as well as tells you clear examples of every changing detail. I'm interested in both historical and modern fashion, and this book is a fantastic resource for both victorian fashion and current fashion and everything in between. the picture quality is top notch and every item is displayed and photographed flawlessly. the text is interesting and informative. i'd say this is a must have for any fashion student, especially ones interested in alternative or historical fashion. I like that this book chronicles western fashion, but since it was published in japan from a japanese school, it examines the effects that the east had on western fashion. they also include lots of women designers even from historical times when women were not commonly coture designers. there is detailed information about why fashions changed and the influences impacting the changes without getting off the subject and turning into a history lesson. this book gets an A+ and is worth every penny i paied for it. (at a museum, so i didn't get the amazon discount either.)

nice nice nice
It is extremely nice and informative book. It helped me, when I was doing my fashion design practise at PPUPPY couture house. So if you want a book to enjoy and learn about fashion - this is the book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Such a beautiful and interesting book
This is the ultimate coffee table book. It is so elegant. Full of interesting picture. I am not even very interested in costumes and fashion but this is such a beautful book. It will delight any guest who sees it on your coffee table. ... Read more

Book Description

A colorful survey of the often provocative and always highly creative relationship between art and fashion.

A crocheted wool coat of exuberant textures and glowing colors, a dyed and pleated silk vest of baroque sensuousness, a headdress of ribbon intricately ruched in the shape of a leaping fish, an evening gown made from shredded dollar bills, a kimono that carries art appliquéd on its sleeve—these are just a few of the beautiful, imaginative, even surreal works of wearable art included in this richly illustrated book, published to accompany an exhibition at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Melissa Leventon shows that wearable art is the latest in the long line of aesthetic dress reforms that began with the Arts and Crafts movement. She then traces the history of this art form as it developed out of the hippie styles and studio fiber art of the 1960s and 1970s until today, highlighting many of the leading practitioners and discussing its characteristic forms and processes. The works brought together range from pieces that are only technically wearable to one-of-a-kind works that are at home either on one's back or on one's wall to limited-edition luxury clothing.

Artwear will be invaluable to fashion designers and students, art and textiles professionals, craftspeople, and anyone with an interest in the fashion world.

Featuring work by Yves Saint Laurent, Issey Miyake, Erté, K. Lee Manuel, Kansai Yamamoto, Ben Compton & Marian Clayden, Genevieve Dion, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Janet Lipkin, Kaisik Wong, Friends of the Rag, and many others. 200 color illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Love the whole series!
This is a gorgeous book that will delight and inspire. The photos are beautiful and the accompanying captions, located in the back of the book, provide a good background on each piece. I recommend this entire series very highly (bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces).

Breathtaking!
This is a breathtaking, beyond-beautiful book of ethnic bracelets. If you're a jewlery artist, you will gain a tremendous amount of inspiration from this coffee-table (NOT a how-to) book. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

The first of it's kind, the lavishly illustrated and remarkably comprehensive, Where'd You Get Those?, is an insider's account that traces New York City sneaker culture back to its earliest days. Describing how a small and dedicated group of sneaker consumers in the 70s and early 80s proved instrumental in establishing current corporate giants like Nike and Adidas, aficionado Bobbito Garcia writes with the exactitude and affection that only a true believer could bring. While chronicling the rise of sneakers through the lean years of the 60s, the bulk of the book examines sneakers released between the golden years of 1970-1987.Information-packed entries for each model include all of the color combinations available, nicknames of particular models, any relevant athlete endorsement, and (often hilarious) running commentary and stories from a rogues' gallery of fanatics who weigh in on the pros and cons of each sneaker. Via ancillary lifestyle chapters like "Arts and Crafts,"(which details the elaborate process of customizing sneakers ) and "The Sock Hop" (which introduces the unfortunates who had their shoes stolen off their feet, and the sneakers junkies who took them), Where'd You Get Those? examines sneaker culture from every angle. The tome even includes a chapter on New York City's playground basketball legends, the real progenitors of "urban marketing," whose athletic prowess inspired kids on the street to adopt their brands. And in a nod to more recent history, a chapter entitled "Future Undergound Classics" recognizes the models released post-1987 that maintain relevance within an increasingly soulless and money-driven industry. The best secret stores to purchase rare joints, the proper way to care for your kicks, the experts' list of the top ten sneakers of all time--it's all here. Everything you ever wanted to know about the production, distribution, and consumption of sneakers during the seminal years of sneaker culture in New York--the city that set the stage for the worldwide dominance of today's sneaker industry. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Ah, those were the days...
Reading this book is like travelling in a time machine with an expert guide by your side. Bobbito has done an incredible service to those of us who stepped through our New York childhood and adolescence in the 70s and 80s fixated on our sneakers, especially our basketball sneakers. My wife gave me this book for Christmas and I spent much of the day poring through it, absorbing the photos and reliving experiences I had in many of the sneakers Bobbito included in the book. She didn't understand it, but she appreciated my rapture. It was like seeing pictures of dream images--looking at things I never thought I'd see again, as if they had never existed, with memories of games played in particular sneakers, in particular leagues, in particular gyms and parks, with and against particular players in their particular sneakers, flooding back to me. It also brought back memories of the sneakers that I wanted--the Wilson Batas that my cousin had, the $100 red-on-white Indiana addidas Top Tens, the yellow-on-blue Nike Waffles--and the pain of not having them. If any of this sounds strange, or even pathetic, this book may not be for you, but it will thrill the sneakerholic in your life.

But the fun isn't just in the pictures--Bobbito has assembled a crew of not-so-famous commentators on sneaker and basketball culture in New York City. To his credit, Bobbito has arranged their funny, opinionated observations in a way that makes it seem like you're reading the transcript of a barbershop conversation. This "dialogue" makes up the bulk of the text and is as engaging as the photos.

Lastly, Bobbito's introductions to each section of the book are also valuable for their personal honesty and dead-on social observations. Where'd You Get Those? is no exercise in nostalgia. Instead, Bobbito strikes a perfect balance between testimony and critique, which makes the book a valuable piece of cultural history.

A Flat-Out Great Book!
Powerful stuff, if you grew up in/around NYC in the early '70s through the mid-'80s. You'll see all the old faves, beautifully categorized and depicted, with extraordinary and completely appropriate attention to detail. Note that this isn't just a picturebook or catalogue, but rather takes the form of an oral history where the participants are a panel of sneaker fiends from way back (propers to 3rd Bass!) The slang (e.g., grips, quiver, slept-on butters) is incredible and infectious, and prone to misuse by people like me. And the shoes? Can't get enough, from Walter Davis's unique Dr. J's to Sake's green half-shells. Message to Bobbito: I've got 3 pairs of Lendl Comp's on ice, tell your friend!

dsdfafdsa
this book is heat. best book on shoes of all time. it is like a dictionary for shoe lovers.

back in the day
Long before sneaker contracts were handed out to music stars like Jay Z, 50 Cent, and Nelly with the matched ferocity of those given to sports stars, and basketball shoes were more about function than giving you something cute to wear to your local Wal-Mart, you had New York City Sneaker Culture.
Bobbito Garcia, a Vibe Magazine contributing editor, street ball player and one of the world's most premier sneaker collectors, has chosen to document his obsession and love for one of the origins of the current sneaker phenomenon in his book, "Where'd You Get Those? New York Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987," by compiling testimonies, photographs, and stories on some of the most classic sneaker styles and brands of that era.
Along with the showcasing of timeless sneaker styles like the classic Converse All Star Chuck Taylor, to what Garcia calls "slept on butters" or classics that went unnoticed like the Adidas Achille, and rare gems (limited editions), like the Nike Airship, quotes from collectors such as Mc Serch, Pete Nice, and basketball legend Pee Wee Kirkland, liven up an already exciting book with first hand accounts on what it was to go on the hunt for, style and impress with the perfect shoe.

sneakers and new york city basketball
where'd you get those is the best sneaker book of all time capturing the essence and soul of basketball and sneakers in the 60s, 70s and 80s in new york city. anyone under 30 might not be able to understand bobbito's views or why sneakers are so important to life. this book shows how sneakers meant unbelievable status in the street and on the court, which is different from today. the uniqueness and passion that occurred during these years made sneaker fanatics hungry for that next fix. thats why every young and old hip hopper, basketball player or sneaker fanatic need this book. you will never put it down. ... Read more

Book Description

Brooches, rings, buckles, pendants, buttons, purses and other accessories were part of everyday dress in the middle ages. Over two thousand such items dating from from the period 1150-1450 are described and discussed here, all found in recent archaeological excavations in London - then as now one of western Europe's most cosmopolitan cities, its social and economic activity compounded by the waterside bustle of the Thames.These finds constitute the most extensive and varied group of such accessories yet recovered in Britain, and their close dating and the scientific analysis carried out on them have been highly revealing. Important results published here for the first time show, for example, the popularity of shoddy, mass-produced items in base metals during the high middle ages and enable researchers to identify the varied products of rival traditions of manufacture mentioned in historical sources. Anyone needing accurate information on period costume will welcome this book, which will appeal to the general reader interested in costume and design, as well as to archaeologists and historians. THE AUTHORS are members of staff of the Museum of London. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An Invaluable Research Tool
This book, part of a collective of what has become to be known as "the London Excavations" is invaluable for academic or hobbyist alike. Complete in its recording and detailing of dress accessories such as brooches, buttons, buckles, bells, purses,hair accessories, etcetera it provides a complete breakdown of information with excellant quality illustrations. Provides extensive commentary on materials and methods, uses, and contextural information. This is not just a compilation of data, its an extensive body of work on dress accessories of the period and their use. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Suzanne Lussier, an expert on French '20s and '30s fashion, is a curator in the Department of Textiles and Dress at the Victoria and Albert Museum. She lives in London. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Amazing!!! Well put together
So many books out there on the subject of historical clothing are over priced and has pictures printed in black and white, with text making up the bulk of the book.
So I was suprised when this book came from Amazon... you get a hardback full colour well writen book with beautiful pictures, art and information.
Thankfully, the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum, UK) played a large role in the book. They are the foremost authority on historical clothing, of any period.

Not only does it cover clothing, it goes on to talk and illustrate deco hair tips, sporting fashions, 20's designers from A-Z, fashion icons and much more.

A beautiful book worth every penny. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Back in 1993, editor-turned-designer Kate Spade made a splash in the fashion world by turning out a small collection of boxy, utilitarian handbags, each elegantly accented with her name stitched in discreet, lowercase letters. As a result, the simplicity and unabashed refinement of the Spade moniker on those Lilliputian labels has come to define the very foundation on which the designer has since built a fashion empire, one that now, in addition to handbags, includes shoes, clothing, and smart home things, all of which embody the Spade formula of timeless style--a seamless merging of cheerful colors, clean shapes, and well-chosen embellishments. Not bad for a Kansas City-born girl who used to comb vintage stores for fun. Having perfected and expertly marketed her own brand of personal style (one that has famously been counterfeited throughout the world), the designer has emerged with an equally elegant trio of books whose topics Spade has become a virtual authority:Style, Occasions, and Manners.

The packaging, as well as the neatly clipped advice found in Style, is as polished and sunny as the pert designer herself. Spade draws pearls of wisdom from fashion greats like Diana Vreeland and Coco Chanel, and also employs the inspiration of iconic films, books, artists, and design movements. The layout and typography, while vibrant, can be overwhelming at times and her suggestions a bit old-fashioned ("…if you have to wiggle into something, assume it won't flatter you."). But Style still stands out as a treasure in itself. From "forever" clothes like full skirts and jewel-neck sweaters to playing around with color combinations and cocktail rings, Spade has captured a place for herself in the modern fashion vernacular. And Style is a suitably chic way to celebrate her arrival. --Christene Barberich ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Cute book but needs more substance.
I bought this book expecting more fashion tips. There are several useless facts about how Kate finds style in everyday objects. The book was interesting even though it wasn't what I expected. If you really want a book about fashion and only fashion I would heed the words of other reviews. If you decide to get the book I recommend waiting for the paperback or buying a used version.

Hello?? Is there any substance here?
I'm a fashion design student and bought this book hoping to glean some information from it, however, I found nothing worth my while in the entire book. This is basically an inventory of what Kate Spade thinks is great about her own wardrobe and doesn't tap into any longstanding style concepts.

It strikes me as being very self-indulgent on her part. As if we all care what her favorite colors and shoes are. Beyond tittering on about her own wardrobe, she makes mention of a few style standards, but ones we already heard of a million times, like how great Audrey Hepburn's look is in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Don't waste your money on this one!!

Style you say? Kate Spade has NO style!
I must be missing something but I cannot for the life of me figure out what makes Kate Spade a "style icon". This little book is just that, a little, nothing book. Kate Spade will never have the style or class of Jacqueline Kennedy or Audrey Hepburn. She is nothing more then a little WASP princess who happened to design a handbag that people now go into debt to buy! Having read the book and watched her segment on the "Oprah" show I can honestly say that I fail to see her style. Her home is a total color disaster and looks as if it was decorated out of a rubbish heap. Save your money on this book and if you must read it, borrow it from the library!

Where's the content?
Kate and Andy blew this opportunity by producing a painfully anemic brag book which is less of a style manual and more of an inventory of Kate's wardrobe. If you already love fashion and know something about it, there's nothing new in this insipid read. Vapid quotes from Andy such as "When a shoe is pretty or elegant it communicates to me that the woman is pretty sexy" help rob this brief read of any real thought given to the concept of style, making it more like a free-association of passing thoughts on the subject.

how could you not love this ?
Kate Spade is an extroidinary woman who has come so far and is stepping over the boundaries of fashion designers into a world that another review feels " is to emily post" i think it is awfully crazy to assume that Ms.Spade would ever copy off of someone as dignified as Emily Post. I say Bravo to Kate Spades new book ! ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Elevate your life style
Bernhard Roetzel's "Gentleman" is one of two definitive works on classic style for men. The other book is Flusser's "Dressing the Man." While Flusser's work is primarily concerned with developing a classic style for business dress, Roetzel's "Gentleman" is about creating a classic, elegant life style. Following Mr. Retzel's philosophy, style is not something we do for others. The pursuit of style is for one's own personal satisfaction. Therefore, Mr. Roetzel focuses on an understated, conservative elegance, with an acknowledgment of the importance of details, even if no one else notices. Roetzel's book focuses on mens fashion, with a bias toward tailored English clothing, but he goes beyond business clothing, to address casual, sport, and home style. In addition to the obligatory chapters on suits, shoes, and casual dress, there are sections on grooming and fragrance, hairstyles, wristwatches, and how to enjoy an elegant, relaxing breakfast at home. This book is a treatise on gracious living, and he introduces his readers to many of the small luxuries which no one should miss out on: the experience of a traditional shave from a good English barber; a pair of shell cordovan shoes; a bespoke suit; a comfortable and beautiful dressing robe. His philosophy is best exemplified by the section on eating breakfast, where he exhorts one to begin the day with a leisurely elegant ritual including "perfectly toasted bread." Personally, I barely ever eat breakfast, but the call to slow down and take the time to enjoy life's small pleasures resounds loudly none the less.
The book is not perfect, and Mr. Roetzel has some rather quaint and outdated ideas (such as the kind of clothes worn by students at Ivy League universities.) Overall, however, the book is an excellent roadmap for those who wish to live a cut above the norm in this too-fast, hyper-casual, overly-efficient, mass-produced, machine-made, often-shoddy world.

The Guide for Elevating your Style
Alan Flusser's "Dressing the Man" is about developing a classic business style of dress. Roetzel's "Gentleman" is about developing a classic life style. This book covers all aspects of one's appearance, and addresses grooming, hairstyles, formal dress, business dress, and sport. Although it has an English bias, it does a good job of incorporating classic American style and products such as Brooks Brothers shirts and Alden shoes.
More than just a book on how to dress, however, this book provides an introduction to some of the finer things in life that might otherwise go untried: The experience of a traditional shave at a good English barbor; the satisfaction of a bespoke suit, the beauty of a pair of shell cordovan shoes; Acqua di Parma; a James Smith umbrella. There is a section on "Breakfast with Style" which neatly encapsulates the author's philosophy that true style is not an act which you put on for others, it is an understated, elegant way of living which is undertaken for one's own satisfaction. It extends beyond clothing and appearance into all aspects of one's life.
The book is not perfect, and Mr. Roetzel has some rather quaint views on certain subjects. (For example, he has a somewhat antiquated and idealized view regarding how students at Ivy League schools dress.) It is not the best "how-to" book on selecting a classic business wardrobe (choose Dressing the Man for that purpose.) But as a book for those who wish to elevate their life style, Gentleman has no equal. For those who are looking for a roadmap to take them beyond the mass-production, slovenly, hyper-casual, impolite, and haphazard style which is becoming increasingly the norm, look no further than this book.

One of Two Definitive Books on Men¿s Style
As a web developer, I have recently had a run of men's custom tailoring customers. I found myself looking for an encyclopedic source of styling details and fashion fundamentals.

This book by Bernhard Roetzel's provided many of the answers. It is a trove of the tried and trusted classics of men's clothing. In one volume one can find advice on combining familiar patterns, materials, fabrics and colors. Unlike the other book I consulted - Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser - breaks down the details and elements of Italian, English and American styling.

To be sure, there are topics I could have done without - underwear, jewelry, umbrellas, walking canes, tobacco and pajamas, to name a few. However, if you are looking for detailed information about men's style, this is one of two books to consult.

A Must for a real Gentlemen !!!
This book will tell you where to find the best in suits, shirts and shoes and will save you years of experimentation which will eventually lead you to the same conclusions as the author. Even if you are not interested in paying $3500 for your next suit or $3000 for a pair of hand made shoes from John Lobb's of London this book is worth every cent you pay for it. It is well prepared and holds a wealth of interesting information.

Gentleman's Guide: To Grooming and Style
First, I bought a book by the title above and thought it was great. I tried to find a copy to buy a friend only to find no one sold it anymore. A few weeks later I found the book has been reprinted under this new name. So if anyone else is like me and looking for the guide to grooming and style, this is the same book only in hard cover.

Second, this book is worth having. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great book but..........
This could have been a long needed and sensational book for apparel and textile designers. However, the copy I received has CD's that are inoperable, in the case of one, and mislabeled with files that are hard to find in the case of the other. The necessary sample files to perform at least 1/3 of the exercises in the book are missing altogether. I have written to the publisher, the author, and the bookseller with no response. Does anyone know how to get correct CD's with this book?

Groundbreaking textbook destined to become a classic
I am a textile/surface design student and find this book an indispensible tool to understanding the way new technologies are changing the face of textile design. This seems to be an uncomfortable time of transition between the old and new ways, as teachers hold on to the way they learned textile design, but in the real world the fashion industry is embracing technology at an incredible speed.
This book is well worth the $60 as it is crammed with information that will help you use Photoshop effectively as both a creative and practical tool. I found the little vignettes written by people in industry to be refreshing and informative.
That said, I was disappointed by the graphics. With a couple of exceptions, most of the designs used as examples are boring and unimaginative. I compare this to older, traditional books on textile design that feature beautiful prints.
The enclosed CD has many useful goodies.
The book even includes advice on the career marketplace and gives portfolio and resume tips.
I hope the authors come up with a similar book but for Adobe Illustrator. A couple of companies I know of use Illustrator exclusively for their designs.

Textile Design
I am a traditional fashion illustrator and wanted to become more familiar with doing more of my work on computers and specifically with Adobe Photoshop, however there were no Photoshop books specifically geared to fashion until now.

A friend showed me this book and I could not believe how complete and user friendly it was! I just had to have my own copy. The CD that came with it was so amazying---it had everything I could ask for and more. I higly recommend this book to anyone wanting to better understand Photoshop and fashion! Bravo! ... Read more

Book Description

There is an inexplicable magic about earrings, unmatched by any other kind of jewelry. Uniquely, they move with a life of their own, voluptuous yet pure, cold yet provocative. Earrings have been worn since prehistoric times; ancient civilizations offered earrings to their goddesses, and today they remain the most demanding and rewarding exercises of the jeweler's art. Daniela Mascetti and Amanda Triossi, both experts from Sotheby's, are themselves under the spell of earrings, and their erudition does not disguise that this book is as much a romance as a fine piece of art-historical research. The authors relate how the fashion of wearing precious earrings spread from ancient Egypt to the Classical Greek and Roman worlds to Byzantium. Techniques in the cutting of gemstones and diamonds, perfected in the eighteenth century, allowed earring design to evolve towards its most stylish and glamorous, and the book covers every period and style up to the present. The great names among designers and international jewelry houses--Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, Bulgari--are represented in dazzling displays of precious and semi-precious earrings. Illustrations range from Rococo flowers and long, heavy girondoles thick with diamonds and emeralds to chaste Neoclassical disks and the delicate nodding sprays of the late nineteenth century. A wide-ranging study that will be a rich source of inspiration and delight for collectors, designers, and fashion lovers, this is a feast for the eye and a revelation of the wonders that artistry can create. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A True Delight for Antique Jewelry Collectors
This book was recommended to me by my antique jewelry dealer. It is a treasure-trove of historical information with fabulous pictures and descriptions. Whether you are a collector or simply an admirer, you will not be disappointed in this well-researched book. ... Read more