Customer Reviews

Fashion

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4 star:		(1)
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Being familiar with two earlier Kyoto Costume Institute (KCI) publications--The Evolution of Fashion (19th & 20th Century) and The Revolution of Fashion (18th Century)--I was excited to discover that Taschen had produced a new book covering fashions from the 18th to the 20th Century found in the KCI collection. Although I was concerned that this new book might just be a revision and compilation of photos from the two earlier exhibits (with, perhaps, some additional costumes to cover the second-half of the 20th Century), at 700+ pages, I figured there must be at least a few new entries.

The book arrived today and I have been unable to put it down. As soon as I opened the book, I knew that my fears had been unfounded. The new book not only includes costumes found in the earlier books, but includes detailed close-ups of those costumes and many new costumes. The depth of color and detail in the photos is extraordinary. (Taschen is well known for the quality of its publications.) Although the text accompanying the photos is generally quite minimal--limited in many cases to date, description and the inventory number of each piece--it will often include some historical information in an introduction to a period or style. Moreover, many of the 20th Century entries are preceded by a short biographical sketch of the designer whose fashions follow.

The KCI is well-known for its extensive collection of Western costume. One of the Institute's rather unique features lies in its presentation of those costumes. Rather than laying the clothes out flat, they are displayed on manikins in the manner in which they would have been worn--including shoes, hats, gloves, purses, fans, etc. Through this book, Taschen has succeeded in making the KCI collection accessible to the rest of the world.

(As testament to the quality and beauty of this book, two co-workers I showed the book to today--people who are not costumers or designers--have placed their orders for a copy.)

Without a doubt, this book will be a well-treasured addition to my library.

I needn't add more superlatives about this book on fashion since it has all been said. I will say that it is worth every penny whether you are a student of fashion design or are just an amazed spectator. A wonderful and remarkably assebled collection of fasion from the 18th century till now.

This beautiful book blew me away! As a long time fashionista I always crave a book of many color pages showing lots and lots of exquisite dresses from centuries past as much as the last few decades and this book does it up right in spades for anyone who loves to look at page after page of full page color photographs showing loads of very fine detail in haute couture...over 650 pages of this, with a really fine quality printing of the images.
First rate! Should be in every serious fashionista's library!

This book is spectacular. I have nothing bad to say about it at all. It chronicles fashion from the 18th century to today, and it shows as well as tells you clear examples of every changing detail. I'm interested in both historical and modern fashion, and this book is a fantastic resource for both victorian fashion and current fashion and everything in between. the picture quality is top notch and every item is displayed and photographed flawlessly. the text is interesting and informative. i'd say this is a must have for any fashion student, especially ones interested in alternative or historical fashion. I like that this book chronicles western fashion, but since it was published in japan from a japanese school, it examines the effects that the east had on western fashion. they also include lots of women designers even from historical times when women were not commonly coture designers. there is detailed information about why fashions changed and the influences impacting the changes without getting off the subject and turning into a history lesson. this book gets an A+ and is worth every penny i paied for it. (at a museum, so i didn't get the amazon discount either.)

It is extremely nice and informative book. It helped me, when I was doing my fashion design practise at PPUPPY couture house. So if you want a book to enjoy and learn about fashion - this is the book.

An absolute necessity to any fashionista book collector. Beautiful detailed photography. A great gift book. Highly recommended!

If you love clothes and historic fashion, don't waste a minute asking yourself if you need this book. You'll love it, and you won't be sorry. If you can't afford it, put it at the top of your holiday wish list.

Filled with details of beautifully preserved and displayed clothing and fashion artifacts, plus companion paintings from all periods, this book is a feast for fashionistas. Costumers, designers, and everyone who appreciates beautiful clothing won't be able to put it down. The book is huge and every page an inspiration.

If you like costume and fashion history, this is the book for you. It is everything I look for in a book on this subject...a detailed, clear picture on every page, a brief description of what I am looking at, and a sensible timeline. This book is a grand overview of the Kyoto Costume Collection which, in less than 30 years, has become one of the major collections and resource centers for fashion. It shows many pieces that I have not seen in other books and collections, and includes detail photographs of the outfit as well as a full length view. I own 2 copies and tirelessly recommend this book and give it out as gifts.

As a costume reference and a picture book, a luscious treat. I appreciate the reverence and imagination KCI show for their subjects in their displays, and Taschen has put together a fat photo-rich record of the Institute's collection and exhibitions (and for less than $40.) One book I will not be lending to anyone...

700+ pages, covering three centuries of fashion in close-up detail. The photography provides close-ups of detailing such as seams, embroidery, buttons/closures, and the like, which is very important to costumers and designers.

A must for your fashion library.