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Posts Tagged ‘fashion history books’

Fashionable Quote of the Week by Kyeongmi Joo

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on August 28, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Daesamjak norigae is an ornament that hangs from the closure ribbons of a jacket worn for special ocassions in the late Joeson period (1392-1910). Made of gilt silver, amber, coral, jade, pearls, and silk. Image from Dress History of Korea: Critical Perspective on Primary Sources.

In contemporary society, fashion accessories and jewelry are portable or wearable items of dress culture that attract global consumers and are integrated into wearer’s expression of their personal tastes and desire for an enhanced look. However, wearable ornaments in pre-modern Korea and other East Asian countries were social manifestations of the wearer’s social status and prestige.

Kyeongmi Joo – lecturer in the Department of Archaeology at Chungnam National University in South Korea. This quote is from her essay, Bodily Ornaments in Korean Archaeology and Dress History, which is part of the recently published anthology, Dress History of Korea: Critical Perspective on Primary Sources (Bloomsbury Press).

Check back to tomorrow for my review of this important book.

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Fashionable Quote of the Week by Lucy Adlington

Posted in Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , , , , , on October 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Winter coats, an important investment and carefully treasured, now unbelted and set aside. Sweaters and cardigans, often home-made, with patches of wool fluff where the arms rubbed against the body, peeled off. Then, more hesitantly, the front buttons of blouses, and neat side zips of dresses and skirts, all creased from the journey, possibly marked with sweat. Shoes and boots – off, placed together out of habit, their insoles gently curved to fit the owner’s feet, the heels scuffed from all the steps their owners had walked. Socks rolled off, perhaps new, perhaps darned. Stockings unclipped from girdles and garter belts. Legs bare. Feet cold on concrete.

Lucy Adlington – British fashion historian and author of The Dressmakers of Auschwitz (Harper).

In this passage, Ms. Adlington is describing how the new arrivals at Auschwitz concentration camp had to completely disrobe.

Please check back with ODFL tomorrow for my book review of The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive.

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Fashionable Gift Giving: 100 Years of Fashion

Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , , , , , , on November 18, 2020| Leave a Comment »

When I was taking a fashion history course earlier this year, I was determined to avoid the Internet for any research I had to do. Why? Because I prefer books and thanks to the many fashion history books I’ve collected over the years, it was easy to keep the promise I made to myself.

One book I didn’t own (and it would have been quite handy) is 100 Years of Fashion by Cally Blackman (Laurence King Publishing, 2020).

Blackman, a fashion historian, university lecturer, and author, digs into fashion history from 1900 to circa 2000. She discusses high society, the everyday lady, designers, and all the trends from the S-Bend silhouette to Grunge.

The book is divided into two sections: 1901-1959 and 1960 onward, making the subject accessible for the serious student and the casual fashion admirer. Both sections include an overview of the fashion trends of each decade and the historical context for those trends. A complete index makes for quick and easy research.

Another reason I prefer fashion books to a search on the Internet is I can more easily study the provided photos. Similar to an exhibition catalogue the bulk of 100 Years of Fashion is photos and illustrations with captions. The over 400 images provide a visual documentation of twentieth century fashion history. Such examples are essential for fashion study, not to mention the eye candy factor.

The compact size of the book makes it a great choice to take on the road if attending a fashion conference or traveling to take a course (yes, one day the pandemic will be over).

I noticed while researching various fashion history topics that each book I went to offered a little different angle, giving me a more complete understanding. In other words, you cannot own too many books on fashion!

Books are on everyone’s gift list this year and 100 Years of Fashion is an excellent choice for anyone interested in fashion. Support your local independent book store! Most will special order whatever title you’re looking for.

Let the holiday shopping begin.

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