From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-This visually compelling resource on fashion for women as championed by Vogue magazine over the last 100 years will have limited relevance to most secondary school curricula. Profusely illustrated with full-color and black-and-white design sketch-es, artwork, and photography reproduced from the pages of that magazine, the set teems with florid prose: "Ever since Eve wore a fig leaf, fashion has been associated with two things: defining sexuality and committing outrageous behaviour." The first two volumes provide an overview of the last century of fashion in six-to-eight page chapters that establish the historical context for each decade's changing mores and styles. The last three volumes provide brief, alphabetically arranged articles on fashion designers from around the world, from Adolfo to Zoran, and include lengthier entries for noted names like Chanel and Versace. The biographical sketches skimp on personal history; portraits of the designers are not provided. Although they represent many nations, the creations are geared to an affluent Western audience. This is not the source to turn to for research on the costumes or manners of common folk. The multivolume format is cumbersome; access is further hampered by the lack of a comprehensive index. For fashion buffs and specialized collections only.
Mary Ann Carcich, Mattituck-Laurel Public Library, Mattituck, NY
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Library Binding
edition.
Sir Hardy Amies
Excellent, informed read. Linda Watson has done her homework, and this book is an essential addition to the fashion-lover's library.
