Fashion & Costume - 20th Century, Social History - General & Miscellaneous, Fashion & Costume - General & Miscellaneous
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Overview
Published to accompany an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute, this appealing book provides a lively survey of the history of haute couture from its beginnings with the formation of the House of Worth in mid-nineteenth-century Paris to the present-day creations of fashion's major designers. One section of the book features a survey of designs that exemplify the rise of haute couture—that is, fashion driven by the artistic expression of the designer rather than by the dictates of clients—including garments such as Poiret's 'sorbet' lampshade gown, Chanel's 'little black dress,' Dior's New Look, and Balenciaga's sack dress. Among the contemporary couturiers featured are Gianni Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Lacroix. Most of the designs are in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and were photographed especially for this book. The authors have given special prominence to the highly specialized skills that are the foundation of haute couture. Chapters examine tailoring and dressmaking techniques as well as the intricate decoration produced by embroiderers, beaders, lace makers, feather workers, and other craftspeople on whom couturiers rely for unique expression of their ideas.Editorials
Library Journal
Published to accompany an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute, this lavishly illustrated volume provides a survey of the history of haute couture (fashion driven by the artistic expression of the designer rather than the dictates of clients) from its beginnings with the formation of the House of Worth in mid-19th-century Paris to the present-day creations of fashion's major designers. From its inception, haute couture has been closely aligned with modern art, "a fulfillment of mutually agreeing ideas that are contingent upon and wrought on the human body." This synergism can be seen in garments such as Poiret's "sorbet" lampshade gown, influenced by the Orientalism of the 1910s, and Chanel's "little black dress," the archetype of clothing's penchant for social reversal and political change, as well as in contemporary couturiers such as Gianni Versace, whose 1995 evening gown merges old technique and new technology by manipulating industrial-weight vinyl onto a crystalline overskirt evocative of 19th-century silhouette. Authors Koda and Martin, curators at the Costume Institute, have given special prominence to technique, the workshop masteries distinguishing the couture from other visual arts. Highly recommended for all fashion collections.-Marcie S. Zwaik, "Library Journal"Booknews
Published to accompany an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute, December 1995-March 1996. A lovely presentation of designs that exemplify the rise of haute couture--that is, fashion driven by the artistic expression of the designer rather than by the dictates of clients. The thoroughly captioned selections represent the history of haute couture from its beginings in mid-19th century Paris to the present-day creations of major designers. Tailoring and dressmaking techniques as well as the decoration produced by embroiderers, beaders, lace makers, feather workers, and other craftspeople are discussed in the explanatory text. No bibliography. Distributed by Abrams. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)Book Details
Published
April 1, 1996
Publisher
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Pages
128
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780810964969