It's often said that we are what we wear. Tracing an American trajectory in fashion, Lauren Cardon shows how we become what we wear. Over the twentieth century, the American fashion industry diverged from its roots in Paris, expanding and attempting to reach as many consumers as possible. Fashion became a tool for social mobility. During the late twentieth century, the fashion industry offered something even more valuable to its consumers: the opportunity to explore and perform. The works Cardon examines by Sylvia Plath, Jack Kerouac, Toni Morrison, Sherman Alexie, and Aleshia Brevard, among others illustrate how American fashion, with its array of possibilities, has offered a vehicle for curating public personas. Characters explore a host of identities as fashion allows them to deepen their relationships with ethnic or cultural identity, to reject the social codes associated with economic privilege, or to forge connections with family and community. These temporary transformations, or performances, show that identity is a process constantly negotiated and questioned, never completely fixed.

This illustrated A to Z of everything you always wanted to know about the world of fashion ranges from Afros, anorexia, and African design to witches, waifs, and wet look, via Naomi Campbell, John Galliano, and Calvin Klein.

Behind-the-scenes looks at contemporary designers and models are combined with insightful accounts of past masters and mistresses of fashion. Find out the facts about careers in modeling and fashion design; discover the fictions behind the beauty industry claims and marketing ploys; share in the fairy tales surrounding human desire to dress and be noticed.

As one of the most successful fashion houses in existence, Chanel owes much to the templates first laid down by its founder - Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel (1883-1971). Some of her most celebrated designs, such as the two-piece suit, the little black dress and the quilted handbag, remain in vogue to this day. Chanel designed first and foremost for herself: by creating clothes fit for an independent and active lifestyle, she anticipated the needs and wants of the modern woman. This beautiful book showcases a stunning array of Chanel's most notable designs from her 60 years in fashion, largely drawn from the collections of the Chanel Patrimoine, Paris and the V&A. It examines the cut, construction, embellishment and provenance of the ensembles, as well as the design themes and motifs Chanel returned to throughout her career. Newly commissioned photographs of the selected pieces, together with archival images, capture the design evolution of thie fashion icon.

Celebrating Dior’s floral inspirations in fashion and perfume, this unique volume features a portfolio of rose portraits by acclaimed fashion photographer Nick Knight.

For Christian Dior, perfume was “a door opening into a hidden world.” His first, Miss Dior, inspired by the lush gardens of his childhood home in Normandy, forged an inextricable link between his fashion and fragrance creations. Other scents were inspired by evenings in southern France, lit with fireflies and scented with jasmine. The rose bowers of his family home in Granville; his old mill country house; and the Château de la Colle Noire near Grasse―where jasmine, tuberose, and May roses reign supreme and are still cultivated―inspired Dior’s most memorable creations.

Flowers were also at the heart of Dior’s fashion, from the women-flowers that inspired the late 1940s New Look to the swishing, blossom-like ball gowns embroidered with lavish floral motifs. They have inspired all of the designers who followed him at the House of Dior, from Yves St Laurent to John Galliano, and Raf Simons to Maria Grazia Chiuri.

This extraordinary volume blooms with color and inspiration, and includes rose portraits by Nick Knight, previously unpublished archival documents, exquisite details of embroidery and fabrics, perfumes, fashion sketches, and sublime fashion photographs.

Camo, by photographer Thandiwe Muriu, is the first publication to chronicle the work of this international artist, celebrating the vibrant portraits she creates that combine cultural textiles and beauty ideologies. Muriu takes us on a colorful, reflective journey through her world as a woman living in modern Kenya as she reinterprets contemporary African portraiture.

As the sole woman operating in the male-dominated advertising photography industry in Kenya, Thandiwe Muriu has repeatedly confronted questions around the role of women in society, the place of tradition, and her own self-perception. These experiences inspired her personal project of cultural reflection: the Camo series. Camo was the catalyst for her to push new boundaries in her photography, leading her into a deeply personal artistic journey.

The compelling, fully saturated photographs in this collection confront issues surrounding identity while seeking to redefine female empowerment through Muriu's choice of materials. These constructed images are not digital manipulations but physical sets that incorporate African Ankara wax textiles as backdrops and custom-tailored clothing and headdresses. At the forefront of her practice is using textiles to make her subjects disappear and serve as a canvas for reflection on the questionof identity and its evolution over time. Muriu also consistently reimagines common objects associated with the daily lives of Kenyans into bold accessories donned by her subjects. These objects range from hairpins to the mosquito-repellent coils she grew up using. In Kenya, an object can have multiple uses beyond its original purpose; as Muriu explains, When you have little, you transform and reuse it."

Throughout the book, each image is paired with an inspirational African proverb in both English and Swahili, expressing the collected wisdom of generations that continue to inspire. Proverbs such as "With a little seed of imagination, you can grow a field of hope" convey the uplifting spirit of Muriu's work that empowers women, preserves tradition, and celebrates African beauty and culture.

A visually stunning art book and cultural touchstone, Camo is a collectible treasure as the first book to showcase the work of a rising star in the worlds of photography and art.

J.J. Pizzuto's Fabric Science Swatch Kit, 12th Edition reinforces the study of textiles for students in courses such as Fashion Design, Fashion Business, Merchandising, Fashion Retailing, Interior Design, Textile Surface Design, Textile and Apparel Product Development, and Textile Production Management. The kit contains 114 (2"x 3") fabric samples, a fabric key, 32 special assignments, heavy-weight sample sheets to mount and analyze fabrics, and a pick glass--all contained in a three-ring binder. The swatches are organized in the order in which they are covered in the text: fibers, yarns, weaves, knits, dyeing, printing, and finishes. Swatches represent the types of fabrics currently available to fashion and interior designers in the field, making this resource an excellent addition to any professional library. Key Features Include -The text contains instructions and video tutorials that take students through the process of assembling their swatch kit and using a pick glass. -A Fabric Key identifies the swatches by number and fabric name, description, and fiber content. -Assignments are designed to reinforce the text and classroom lectures and have been developed by FIT instructors to broaden students' understanding of key concepts in textiles through hands-on labs and problem solving activities. -Students will successfully develop keen observation, analysis, and report writing skills. -J.J. Pizzuto's Fabric Science Swatch Kit is an ideal companion to J.J. Pizzuto's Fabric Science, 12th Edition (ISBN 9781501367878, available as a separate purchase) or can also be used alone or in conjunction with any textiles textbook. Fabric Science Swatch Kit STUDIO Resources Include -Watch videos with step-by-step demonstrations on how to compile the swatch kit Instructor's Resources -Instructor's Swatch Set including 7" x 12" samples of each fabric (ISBN 9781501368059) -Instructor's Guide provides specific information about each of the swatches in the Swatch Kit, special assignments, questions (with answers), and instructional comments -PowerPoint (R) presentations include full-color images from the book and provide a framework for lecture and discussion

Deco dandy contests the supposedly exclusive feminine aspect of the style moderne (art deco) by exploring how alternative, parallel and overlapping experiences of decorative modernism, nationalism, gender and sexuality in the years surrounding World War I converge in the protean figure of the 'deco dandy'. The book suggests a broader view of art deco by claiming a greater place for the male body, masculinity and the dandy in this history than has been given to date. Important and productive moments in the history of the cultural life of Paris presented in the book provide insights into the changing role performed by consumerism, masculinity, design history and national identity. -- .

Pointed Leaf Press is proud to announce a monograph on English interior designer Sue Timney. To say that Timney's work is eclectic is as obvious as calling the sky blue: eclecticism is her signature. Perhaps it is her peripatetic childhood that has given her a global vision. Born in Libya, her father's military career took her to Germany and Newcastle, England and she cites influences and interests as diverse as the Japanese filmmaker Kurosawa, the beatniks, and African tribal art. In addition to 25 years worth of captivating photographs and some never before published drawings, textile designs, and personal artworks, 'Making Marks' is a journey through a fascinating life - from a career launched in Japan, to the opening of the first Timney Fowler shop in London's hip Portobello area, and her successful career as an interior designer. An exhibition at the Fashion & Textile Museum in London is planned for November 2010.