Fashion in Detail: From the 17th and 18th Centuries (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Susan North (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Hart, a former assistant curator in the Department of Textiles and Dress at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and North, the deputy curator of the department, combine straightforward text describing some 160 rare garments from the Victoria and Albert collections with line drawings illustrating the construction of the garments. The magnificently detailed color photographs are what make this volume stand out from similar titles. Fabrics, colors, styles, and unusual sewing techniques long lost to the modern fashion industry are carefully documented. A brief glossary of terms proves helpful, although a few terms were not listed. This book is a treasure trove for fashion design students and costume designers alikeAthe garments discussed and illustrated here are frequently too fragile or too vulnerable to bright light ever to be displayed publicly. Recommended for larger academic and public libraries and collections specializing in fashion or costume design.AP. Steven Thomas, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mt. Pleasant
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

This sumptuously illustrated book offers the first up-close view of the richness and variety of historical dress of the 17th and 18th centuries. Drawn from the Victoria and Albert Museum's world-famous collection, these garments display skills that are now lost, yet continue to inspire today's leading designers.

Much of the finery seen here is too fragile to be on permanent display, or its detail too intricate to be captured in conventional photography. Jacobean blackwork, neoclassical tambour work, exquisite stitching, and knife-sharp pleats are pictured in stunning photographs, alongside such unusual techniques as stamping, pinking, and slashing--many of which are rarely employees in the modern world, as they require labor-intensive handwork impossible to replicate by machine.

With line drawings showing the construction of the complete garment and a text that sets each in the context of its time, this book is a visual feast for all fashion lovers, and an essential resource for curators, collectors, students, costumers and designers.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 084782151X
• ISBN-13: 978-0847821518
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 9.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,850,576 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb! Magnificent!, January 29, 2000

By	Daniel (Reading, UK) - See all my reviews

WHAT a wonderful book. Never has a museum published a more mouth-watering and so informative reference book. Forget the idea that all museum publications are dry and arid - even if you don't really like costume or fashion you MUST look at this book. The photography is of the very highest quality. If a picture is worth at least a thousand words, then there are millions of words in this book - millions of words that have never been coined, but which describe the small minutae - the rich colouring - the magnificent designs and craftmanship - the hitherto unsuspected marvel of a seam or a collar - the small pattern that you would never have noticed in a figured silk. Every library and art gallery and museum must have a copy of this book. Even artists ought to buy a copy, because it is invaluable as a source for design and ideas. I highly recommend this book. You can almost feel the satins and stroke the embroideries, feeling their texture. Dress is definitely an art form. Just ask this book with a mere glance, and you will get your answer - a resounding YES. The reviews below say this so much better than I could.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for students & scholars of 17th-18thc fashion, December 7, 1998

By A Customer

"Fashion in Detail" is a beautiful book highlighting details of many of the 17th and 18th century fashions in the Victorian and Albert museum collection. Many are too fragile to exibit so the full-color pictures, text and line drawings are the only record many costume mavens will ever see. The book is truly fashion in detail as the color illustration show details only, usually of one, but sometimes up to four or five items per page. The book's layout is divided by chapters--one shows details of outstanding stitching, seaming and quilting while another covers buttons, and another embroidery for example. The "coffee table" size of this book allows the best use of the book's layout: the left hand page includes a clear line diagram of the the complete item(s) illustrated on the right hand page in wonderful color photographs. The left-hand page text describes the item in suscinct, but complete detail. Some of the rarest and most outstanding items receive two or three color photos and text of various details. The pink stays on the cover, for example, get a back detail of the exquisite stitching in the first chapter and another side photo of the lovely ribbons tying the matching sleeves to the stays later in the book. My only complaint is two-fold. I wanted to see more and a smaller, full-length color view of each item would have been wonderful since many of the items haven't been illustrated in books elsewhere.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing photos, very good descriptions, variety of topics, July 22, 1999

By A Customer

Comprised primarily of breathtaking photos and limited text, Fashion in Detail made a two hour layover at Newark airport a pleasant experience! These photos reveal the kind of detail one can not absorb during a museum visit either because there are others in line or because one can't get close enough. In order to appreciate the exquisite workmanship and the creative thought that produced what are essentially works of art, in addition to being items of clothing which were actually worn, a photo becomes necessary. Line drawings accompany the text descriptions so that whatever detail is spotlighted in the photo can also be understood in relation to the whole garment. What a gorgeous book! It was worth every penny.