Customer Reviews

Shanghai Girl Gets All Dressed Up

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This is quite simply one of the most engaging, charming, and informative books I've ever read. It is facile enough to draw in the casual reader but informatie enough to cover a bit of history little-covered up until now, even to historians. Lovely illustrations, carefully researched. Every theatrical costumer or theater dept should have a copy on hand, and lovers of vintage Chinese (Asian) clothing will appreciate it. Great treatment of life in Manchu china: footbinding, nightclubs, prostitution, etc. Highly recommended.

Like all of Beverly's books this is eye candy. The splendid pictures of garments, authors collection, photographs, posters and art are breath taking. It recounts a special blend of cultures, white Russian's, European, Chinese mingling in a modern city unique to a mysterious China in the 1920's.

A gifted writer she paints the era with words and adds the cultural influences like the movie industry reflecting and promoting the mystery that was Shanghai at the time. Early Hollywood influences on the chic culture.
Her other books are also treasures Splendid Slippers, about the bound feet of Chinese woman as a sign of erotic beauty.
Kingfisher is a visual joy of the lovely jewelry and hair ornaments of the Chinese court. The Kingfisher feathers of vibrant turquoise shining like precious jewels set against gold and silver to add adornment in the courts of Imperial China.