Fashion: The Twentieth Century [Paperback]

Francois Baudot (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2006

Originally published in 1999 and now fully revised and updated, Fashion is a photographic celebration that surveys all the preeminent couturiers and fashion houses from the era before the Great War through the revolutionary changes wrought by the Jazz Age and the Swinging Sixties to designers at work today. Everything is included in this authoritative volume, from Chanel's little black dress to the latest Prada or envelope-pushing boutiques.What distinguishes Fashion from other overviews or histories of the subject is that it also examines the ancillary driving forces that have propelled fashion trends and fuelled the rise of styles. In many ways, this book makes clear that these supposedly secondary influences (fashion editors, advertising, newspapers, magazines, department stores, boutiques) became increasingly important during the course of the twentieth century. Included in the book are overviews of key figures in the fashion industry and design community.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

François Baudot is one of France's leading writers and commentators on fashion and style.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Universe; Revised edition (February 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789313979
• ISBN-13: 978-0789313973
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.4 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Fashion
  • #62 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Photo Essays
  • #69 in Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive!, October 25, 2000

By 

"bnchmrk" (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fashion: The Twentieth Century (Paperback)

Fashion books tend to focus in on one subject or personality, or sometimes a series of related subjects. Fashion, the Twentieth Century is an entirely comprehensive look into the world of fashion and how it has developed over the past century. The book is divided into two "chapters", and delves into many different sub-topical areas of fashion interest. It focuses on different fashion eras, as well as different popular (and avant-garde!) designers over the past 100 years. Although I tend to enjoy a more single subject type of fashion book, I found this book useful for its depth of many topics, not to mention some interesting and gorgeous fashion photography. As a sort of fashion encyclopedia, it will make a useful addition to any fashionista's library.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars insight into 20th century fashion trends, June 19, 2002

By 

Rosengarten (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fashion: The Twentieth Century (Paperback)

'Fashion - The Twentieth Century' by Francois Baudot is the book to read if you really want to gain an insight into 20th century fashion trends. Its five page bibliography is the most comprehensive list of any fashion book we have come across. Baudot is an expert and this is what makes the book so enjoyable. There are many pictures and the text flows and is very informative. There are also separate features on the important designers/couturiers of the 20th century. A historical review of fashion is presented at the beginning of the book and at the start of each of the eleven sections.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not accessible, May 28, 2011

By 

J. Chendea (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fashion: The Twentieth Century (Paperback)

I think those who are already well-educated on fashion would find this interesting, but as a regular person who's just interested in understanding the changes throughout the past century (hemlines, makeup, fabrics, colors..) I found this book totally inaccessible. It seems to be more of a history of fashion as an art form and of the high-fashion designers' collections and without really clear dates or references to how ordinary people wore styles.