Customer Reviews

Charles James (Universe of Fashion)

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Charles James filled his designs with beauty and technical brilliance. He was an architect of fabric. His designs were as beautiful on the inside as they were on the outside. This book is a glimpse into his world of manipulating shape and form. My only regret is that is not longer. Enjoy!

.....really an Understatement in the Truest term of the word. I went to school a block away from where he was living at the time,
(The High School of Fashion Industries) at the "Chelsea Hotel",he was being discovered by Antonio Lopez & Juan Ramos (Both would become Legends in their own rights as Prolific & Masterful Illustrators:- See "Antonio's People", better yet Read it!) Charles James was that rare artisan, who knew who owned which of his pieces, and could recite Fabric, Closures(i.e.zippers, buttons, etc.) threads, seams stiches and interfacings. When the Brooklyn Museum did a retrospective on him, they knew whom to ask for what articles they included. High Strung? Perhaps, but Talented? Surely!!

I bought this book because I had some notions on Charles James'work and wanted to know more about it. The book is a brief, general and rather limited assemblance of photographs and images. The first pages provide a written introduction on his style and time. The rest of the book is visual, like other books in this collection. There are extracts from fashion magazines and some modern views on his work. Few pictures show well photographed original models. Most of them are not very clear in terms of appreciation or understanding of the costumes, the impression remains that the visual impact shadows the creations. I expected the style of the cover, where the dress is clearly seen, but there are only 3-4 of these. Most work is showed against an inadequate black backdrop. Most vintage photographs, perhaps partial extracts or advertisements, are slightly blurred. Some stylish Beaton images. There are some of the designer's sketches. Also two interesting studies by Bill Wilkinson on the structure of two famous creations ("clover" and "petal" dresses), and "modern" sketches or reinterpretations.
I've seen much better images of James'work. The book would be suitable for those who seek a general notion about this couturier, a collage of different views and impressions on his work; not for those wishing to deepen their knowledge.