Customer Reviews

Fashion: A History from the 18th to the 20th Century

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.)

This tome has rocketed to the top of my costume book collection. Fine quality color photographs with plenty of detail shots of one of the most impressive collections of costume in the world for around $30? An unbelievable value! Each era is covered well, but I found the clothing from 1750-1800 to be especially gorgeous. If you have an interest in historic clothing get this book NOW!

I was surprised by this book as a Christmas present, and I haven't put it down since. The Kyoto Costume Institute has a marvelous collection of clothing from several centuries, and the numerous pieces shown in this book are of unimaginable beauty. Both the presentation and the photography in this book are the highest quality imaginable. I left my copy on the kitchen table one day, only to return to find my two roomates pouring over it. One of them, in awe, said "I didn't know clothes like this actually existed." I would give this book the recommendation of quite possibly the most enchantingly beautiful book on dress in existence.

700+ pages, covering three centuries of fashion in close-up detail. The photography provides close-ups of detailing such as seams, embroidery, buttons/closures, and the like, which is very important to costumers and designers.

A must for your fashion library.

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.

This is an exquisite book filled with highly detailed images of beautiful garments. It is a refreshing look at western fashion through the ages since the clothing featured hasn't been photographed in every other book out there. Of particular interest to me were some 18th & 19th century paintings showing a garment paired with a photograph of the actual piece (or of a similar piece) now in the collection of the museum.

The span of time the book covers is from the 18th century to the 20th century. This not-too-tight focus enables the reader to see a good selection of garments from different time periods without running the risk of becoming boring. It also makes it easy to see the progress of fashion during those years.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this book is a great value. Nearly every page contains large, brilliant photos. A must-have for any fashion student or costumer.

If you are in need, or want of a GREAT image clothing reference book from the late 18th Century (Regency) to the 19th Century (Victorian) in addition to the 20th Century (Modern), then 'Fashion' by Kyoto Costume Institute should be it. The images are beautiful, professional and the volume is dense. Over 700 pages thick! There are a few period painting reference images, but most of the book is Hi-res (gorgeous) museum quality photographs of authentic vintage clothing, styled and draped on mannequins, making it easy for the viewer to imagine how the clothing must have looked as they were worn during their time. Page after page of photographs, yummy!

Furthermore, it has some close up shots for those who are in need or want more fabric detail. Most of the clothing is women apparel (including their hats and jewelry for the all-over-effect). However, it has many men garments too. This includes a few lone images of authentic vintage corsets, bustles, gloves, slippers, shoes, hats, stocking, and other (male & female) accessories also... Even so, its main focus is the clothing. The book is fairly large in width and depth, and a tad bit heavy too, so viewing it from your lap nearly engulfs and pulls you into a delightful visual feast. `Fashion' is low on words but high on images. Each image has a good paragraph or two detailing each garment's history, make, year and any other special details are explained as well. Perfect for the fashion historians, fashion design students, 3D clothing creators, clothing history enthusiast, vintage clothing collectors, history art illustrators, artists and just the plain curious. It's also a marvelous visual tool for those who like to "read or write" historical novels or literature and need that added detail for the visual effects.

I own several clothing reference books, but if I had found this book first I could have saved a lot time and money. If you only need or can afford one clothing reference book, I'd highly recommend this one above all others.

*NOTE* This book covers only the Western parts of the world of historical fashion, (Europe, Americas..etc).

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!

If you love clothes and historic fashion, don't waste a minute asking yourself if you need this book. You'll love it, and you won't be sorry. If you can't afford it, put it at the top of your holiday wish list.

Filled with details of beautifully preserved and displayed clothing and fashion artifacts, plus companion paintings from all periods, this book is a feast for fashionistas. Costumers, designers, and everyone who appreciates beautiful clothing won't be able to put it down. The book is huge and every page an inspiration.