High Style: Masterworks from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art [Hardcover]

Jan Reeder (Author)

Book Description

Series: Metropolitan Museum of Art | Publication Date: June 15, 2010

This lavishly illustrated volume is the first comprehensive publication on the Brooklyn Museum’s internationally renowned historic costume collection. The nearly 25,000-object collection comprises fashionable women’s and men’s garments and accessories from the 18th through the 20th century. It features sumptuous 19th-century gowns from the House of Worth, exquisite works by the great 20th-century French couturiers, iconic Surrealist-based designs of Elsa Schiaparelli, sportswear classics from pioneer American women designers, and the incomparable draped and tailored creations of Charles James.

In 2009, the Brooklyn Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art entered into a groundbreaking long-term partnership to steward Brooklyn’s collection. The objects were transferred to The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan, with Brooklyn maintaining curatorial access. Exhibitions of costumes from the collection will be held at both institutions in early May 2010. (20111003)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Winner of the Silver Medal as given by the Independent Publishers Book Awards

(Silver Medal Independent Publishers Book Awards )

"High Style is filled with fashion inspiration and information. . . . Nearly every page of this 256-page comprehensive book includes a captivating photo of one of the collection’s lavish garments or accessories.”—Threads

(Threads )

“It’s high time that the exquisite Costume Collection from the Brooklyn Museum be celebrated in print. And this book does just that.”—Selvedge

(Selvedge )

About the Author

Jan Glier Reeder is Consulting Curator, Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection, The Costume Institute, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art (June 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300155220
• ISBN-13: 978-0300155228
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 10.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Arts & Photography > Museum Exhibition Catalogs
  • #45 in Books > Arts & Photography > Design & Decorative Arts > Textile & Costume
  • #56 in Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books ever!, May 30, 2010

By 

Olea Yimoria - See all my reviews

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This review is from: High Style: Masterworks from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Hardcover)

This book has got to be one of the best photographic costume history books ever! Snatch this one while you can!
The section on Charles James is alone worth it, since it is next to impossible to find great photos of his work.
I wish more Costume history books were like this with actual full color photos. And the photos are big, not tiny stamp-sized images that make your head hurt.
If you're like me, you hate to invest money to get a book filled with crappy line drawings.
This is what I want in a fashion book. The actual photos are in full color, with front and back shots.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FABulous--Get it before it's out of print, May 16, 2010

By 

Augusta Gray Owl "Owl" (Bensalem PA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: High Style: Masterworks from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Hardcover)

If you never had a chance to visit the Brooklyn Museum during one of their fashion exhibits (I made the epic journey there twice, only to find the FASHION exhibits closed for one reason or another) or you missed out on their book, "Worth, Pingat and Doucet", this book's for you.

The author doesn't just recite the garment details, she talks about the designers shown here, long forgotten as well as the better known. Valentina is here, for instance. Examples from Charles James that I had not seen before. Many others! Not a few of these garments came from well known socialites. Lavish full length studies in glorious color. For me, it was worth both the expense and the wait to get this. Wonderful examples shown, something for everyone! Details you can SEE. By the way, some of the garments seen here have had pattern graphs taken from them in Blanche Payne's "History of Costume", the older edition.

Sadly, the Brooklyn Museum simply doesn't have the resources to keep these clothes or mount any exhibits. This explains why there was nothing to see when I went in the past. Rather like Snowshill Manor's excellent collection (some of which were graphed by J. Arnold); the clothing has now moved elsewhere and seen seldom. Barnard Castle in Britain was another museum that auctioned their costume collection off completely.

Having said that, the Brooklyn Museum is a fine one with many other treasures to see, should you make the journey. Buy the book now, before it's out of print and you have to mortgage your house to buy a copy.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking!, June 11, 2010

By 

Reader - See all my reviews

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This review is from: High Style: Masterworks from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Hardcover)

If you've read my other reviews, you know I don't typically write something this succinct (guess the book literally took my breath away!):

Anyone who enjoys costume history has to love this book! Absolutely fabulous; the fashion, the history, and the book design. I'm grateful it was published!