Cultural studies: dress and society Books

Book Synopsis***'Warm, thought-provoking and honest.' - Victoria Hislop'Clever, emotionally intelligent, revelling in style without making us yearn to shop.' - The Times'Self-deprecating and stylish, this is sure to become a classic.' - Vanity Fair'Thoughtful, wry and candid.' - Mail on Sunday'A must-read memoir for even those beyond the fashion set.' - Evening Standard 'It's funny, honest and in typical Shulman style mixes high and low effortlessly. We don't know many people who can write about bras, Donald Tusk and Madeleine Albright all in the same sentence.' - A Little Bird'Scintillating reading.' - The Spectator'Alexandra Shulman's style is unaffected, immediate and hilariously dry. She's brilliant at observing everyday feelings in a joy-sparking turn of phrase.' - Helena Bonham Carter-'Clothes... and other things that matter is a book not only about clothes but about the way we live our lives. From childhood onwards, the way we dress is a result of our personal history. In a mix of memoir, fashion history and social observation I am writing about the person our clothes allows us to be and sometimes the person they turn us into.' - Alexandra ShulmanIn Clothes... and other things that matter, Alexandra Shulman delves into her own life to look at the emotions, ambitions, expectations and meanings behind the way we dress. From the bra to the bikini, the trench coat to trainers, the slip dress to the suit, she explores their meaning in women's lives and how our wardrobes intersect with the larger world - the career ladder, motherhood, romance, sexual identity, ambition, failure, body image and celebrity.By turns funny, refreshingly self-deprecating and often very moving, this startlingly honest memoir from the ex-Editor of British Vogue will encourage women of all ages to consider what their own clothes mean to them, the life they live in them and the stories they tell.Trade ReviewClothes is the perfect isolation read - clever, emotionally intelligent, revelling in style without making us yearn to shop. -- Hannah Betts * The Times *She has written about her clothes, and given us some scintillating reading. [...] hugely engaging memoir. -- Emily Bearn * The Spectator *I really loved this book- it's warm, thought-provoking and honest. In the end, I had to ration myself because I didn't want to finish. In these frankly strange times it was wonderful and comforting. -- Victoria HislopI loved this book. It's great company and a Corona comfort. Alexandra Shulman's style is unaffected, immediate and hilariously dry. She's brilliant at observing everyday feelings in a joy-sparking turn of phrase - but better still she has made me feel so much better about owning too many clothes. Instead of doing a ruthless edit I find myself curating my own private exhibition - inside my wardrobe hang not just clothes, not just stories but my own autobiography. -- Helena Bonham CarterSuch a great read - so open and honest and funny. I devoured it in one sitting. -- Kirsty WarkA must-read memoir for even those beyond the fashion set. * Evening Standard *From the hat that went to the a Royal wedding to a life-changing bathrobe, Alexandra Shulman tells her life story in clothes ... in her hotly anticipated memoir. * You magazine *A life beyond Moss, mwahs and Manolo Blahniks - by the fashionista that really knows [...] a wry and candid part-memoir, part-fashion history, part-social commentary. * Mail on Sunday *Its jacket of bubblegum pink letters on grown-up navy certainly suggested to me that it might just be the perfect lockdown pick-me-up [...] among its pages, there are some lovely, resonant set pieces. * Book of the Week, Observer *Shulman can craft a good story and has an eye for great pictures [...] it will make perfect lockdown reading, an opportunity to shut out the real world and meander through the Arcadian years of fashion. * The Sunday Times *It's so wonderful, and has kept me beautiful, nostalgic, wry, clever company during this time. I love it. -- Sophie DahlFor those to whom clothes are a source of happiness this book is possibly the perfect lockdown pick-me-up. It is the chance to meander quietly through the golden years of fashion, accompanied by the one woman who has been there, done that and definitely worn the t-shirt. * A Little Bird *Self-deprecating and stylish, this is sure to become a classic. * Vanity Fair *One of 2020's best non-fiction books: 'In the funny and opinionated Clothes... and other things that matter, former Vogue UK editor Alexandra Shulman explores the meaning of clothes and how we wear them. From the little black dress to the white shirt and the bikini, she takes pieces of clothes and examines their role in her own life and the lives of women in general, touching on issues including sexual identity, motherhood, ambition, power and body image. A must-read for anyone, like Miranda Priestly, who knows that clothes might not maketh the woman, but they certainly help.' * Stylist *The book's relatability is one of its chief merits. So is its smart interrogation of what different clothes mean and why. * Financial Times *It is an enjoyably blunt, witty read from a woman who knows that clothes are not the only thing that matter - but who understands that they teach us a lot about pretty much everything else that does. * The i *

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Book SynopsisLittle Book of Louis Vuitton is the pocket-sized and fully illustrated story of one of the world's most luxurious fashion houses.Louis Vuitton's monogrammed bags have been seen on the arms of celebrities and royals alike for over 150 years. From the young Louis seeking his fortune in Paris through to two world wars, the Great Depression, the Jazz Age and the Swinging Sixties, there is no era in which this most opulent of brands hasn't thrived.Detailing the global expansion of Louis Vuitton in the 1980s, the creation of the powerful fashion conglomerate LVMH, and the appointment in 1997 of Marc Jacobs, this is the story of a transformation from luggage company to high-fashion label. Louis Vuitton's continued evolution under the creative direction of Nicolas Ghesquière and Virgil Abloh is also depicted through fabulous images and captivating text.Table of ContentsIntroduction • Early Years • A Family Affair • World War II and Beyond • Global Expansion • Marc Jacobs • Heritage Reborn - Nicolas Ghesquière and Virgil Abloh • Signature Pieces • Celebrity Clientele.

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Book SynopsisThe official history of British Vogue, telling the magazine's story and how it has reflected the changing face of Britain from the first issue in 1916 right up to the present day

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Book SynopsisTrade Review'Sumptuous' - Make It Today'An inspirational resource for students, collectors, designers and anyone who is fascinated by fashion and costume' - New Design'Intricate and elaborate … the perfect coffee table book for those interested in the history of fashion' - SEWTable of Contents1. Pleats, Gathers and Looped Drapery • 2. Collars, Cuffs and Pockets • 3. Stitching and Quilting • 4. Lace and Whitework • 5. Embroidery • 6. Pastes, Foils and Beads • 7. Chintz and Painting • 8. Pinking and Punching • 9. Fringes, Ribbons, Tassels and Buttons • 10. Fur, Feathers and Straw

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Book SynopsisThe Medieval Tailor's Assistant is the standard work for both amateurs and professionals wishing to re-create the clothing of Medieval England for historical interpretation or drama. This new edition extends its range with details of fitting different figures and many more patterns for main garments and accessories from 1100 to 1480. It includes simple instructions for plain garments, as well as more complex patterns and adaptations for experienced sewers. Advice on planning outfits and materials to use is given along with a range of projects and alternative designs, from undergarments to outer wear. Early and later tailoring methods are also covered within the period. There are clear line drawings, pattern diagrams and layouts and over eighty full-colour photographs that show the garments as working outfits.

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Book SynopsisBest Fifteen Books of March 2019, Refinery29Best Nonfiction Books of 2019, Paste MagazineObject Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. Fetishized, demonized, celebrated, and outlawed, the high heel is central to the iconography of modern womanhood. But are high heels good? Are they feminist? What does it mean for a woman (or, for that matter, a man) to choose to wear them?Meditating on the labyrinthine nature of sexual identity and the performance of gender, High Heel moves from film to fairytale, from foot binding to feminism, and from the golden ratio to glam rock. Summer Brennan considers this most provocative of fashion accessories as a nexus of desire and struggle, sex and society, violence and self expression, setting out to understand what it means to be a woman by walking a few hundred years in her shoes.Object Lessons is published in partnershiTrade Review[B]risk, readable … Brennan circles around the shoes from all angles, and her brief chapters add up to a kaleidoscopic view of feminine public existence, both wide-ranging and thoughtful. * Jezebel *High Heel is poetry in prose, and while a serious work about the shoe in worldwide history and contemporary culture, it sounds more rhythmic, like poetry in motion. * San Francisco Book Review *In High Heel, the wonderful Summer Brennan embraces a slippery, electric conundrum: Does the high heel stand for oppression or power? … In 150 little essays, Brennan goes at it with poetry, literary references, myth, the psychopathology of rape, fairy tales, politics, and fashion history. All is brought off so beautifully that you can’t help reading … High Heel elevates us, keeps us off balance, and sharpens the point. * The Philadelphia Inquirer *Myths about the transformative power of high heels are central to Summer Brennan’s latest book, High Heel. Part of Bloomsbury’s Object Lessons series, the book traces the history and cultural associations of high heels, primarily as worn by women. Drawing from Ovid’s tales to Cinderella to witch trials to modern courtrooms, Brennan makes the case that high heels are an apt metaphor for the ways in which women have been hobbled in their mobility. She also tackles the relationship between beauty and suffering, highlighting the fraught nature of reclaiming objects defined under patriarchy for feminism. * Paste *The lovely cadences stack up like so many sand castles that sift iconic examples of high heels into a finely grained pile of pros and cons that each reader will sift through quite differently … Whether you're for them or against them, the radical uncertainty of Brennan's take on high heels is worth reflection. High Heel is a properly modern consideration of what is at stake and it uses thoroughly intriguing methods of inquiry to approach a well-balanced lack of resolution. * PopMatters *From Cinderella’s glass slippers to Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolo Blahniks, Summer Brennan deftly analyzes one of the world’s most provocative and sexualized fashion accessories in High Heel, part of the Object Lessons series from Bloomsbury. Told in 150 vignettes that alternately entertain and educate, disturb and depress, the book ruminates on the ways in which society fetishizes, celebrates, and demonizes the high heel as well as the people, primarily women, who wear them … Whether you see high heels as empowering or a submission to patriarchal gender roles (or land somewhere in between), you’ll likely never look at a pair the same way again after reading High Heel. * Longreads *High Heel is thought-provoking meditation on what it means to move through the world as a woman. Brennan’s book, written in very small sections, is short, but powerful enough to completely change your world view. * Refinery29 *High Heel is a riveting, ferociously intelligent, deeply liberating book. I would like to press a copy of it into the hands of every woman I know—and every man, too. -- Jami Attenberg, author of All Grown Up (2017)In the ongoing book series Object Lessons, about the hidden lives of ordinary things, [Brennan] steps into the shoe as a starting point to consider the politics of femininity and of being a woman in public – from the trouble with fairy tales to Sylvia Plath’s black patent pumps. * The Globe and Mail (Canada) *Table of ContentsPart One The Garden of Forking Paths Part Two Daphne in Flight, Daphne in Flower Part Three Ashes, Sea Foam, Glass, Gold Part Four The Minotaur Part Five A Goddess At The End of the World Acknowledgements Selected Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis*** The New York Times Bestseller ***'Lucy Adlington tells of the horrors of the Nazi occupation and the concentration camps from a fascinating and original angle. She introduces us to a little known aspect of the period, highlighting the role of clothes in the grimmest of societies imaginable and giving an insight into the women who stayed alive by stitching' - Alexandra Shulman, author of Clothes...and other things that matter'Compelling... Adlington tells the stories of the women with clarity and steely precision' - Jewish Chronicle'An utterly absorbing, important and unique historical read' - Judy Batalion, NY Times bestselling author of The Light of Our Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos'Powerful... a fascinating account.' - WomanThe powerful chronicle of the women who used their sewing skills to survive the Holocaust, stitching beautiful clothes at an extraordinary fashion workshop created within one of the most notorious WWII death camps. At the height of the Holocaust twenty-five young inmates of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp - mainly Jewish women and girls - were selected to design, cut, and sew beautiful fashions for elite Nazi women in a dedicated salon. It was work that they hoped would spare them from the gas chambers. This fashion workshop - called the Upper Tailoring Studio - was established by Hedwig Höss, the camp commandant's wife, and patronized by the wives of SS guards and officers. Here, the dressmakers produced high-quality garments for SS social functions in Auschwitz, and for ladies from Nazi Berlin's upper crust. Drawing on diverse sources - including interviews with the last surviving seamstress - The Dressmakers of Auschwitz follows the fates of these brave women. Their bonds of family and friendship not only helped them endure persecution, but also to play their part in camp resistance. Weaving the dressmakers' remarkable experiences within the context of Nazi policies for plunder and exploitation, historian Lucy Adlington exposes the greed, cruelty, and hypocrisy of the Third Reich and offers a fresh look at a little-known chapter of World War II and the Holocaust.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s Le Costume Historique was in its day the most wide-ranging and incisive study of clothing ever attempted. Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through to the end of the 19th century, the six volume work remains completely unique in its scope and detail. This TASCHEN reprint presents Racinet’s exquisitely precise color illustrations, as well as his delightful descriptions and often witty commentary. Spanning everything from ancient Etruscan attire to French women’s couture, material is arranged according to Racinet’s original plan by culture and subject. As expansive in its reach as it is passionate in its research and attention to detail, Racinet's Costume History is an invaluable reference for students, designers, artists, illustrators, and historians; and a rich source of inspiration for anyone with an interest in clothing and style.Trade Review“…an accessible, elaborate visual history of all the weird, uncomfortable clothes people thought looked good, from massive, powdered wigs to feathered war helmets. Contemporary artists, designers, illustrators, and historians will find no shortage of inspiration in its pages.” * Hyperallergic.com *“Some books just scream out to be bought; this is one of them.” * Vogue.com *

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Book SynopsisThe epicentre of classic chic and the home of haute couture, Paris is the capital of elegance.From the iconic luxury of Chanel, Dior and Saint Laurent to the effortless sophistication of the typical Parisienne, the city's look is replicated the world over.Little Book of Paris Style is the beautifully illustrated guide to the enduring looks, designers and icons that embody the city of light.

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Book SynopsisThe House of Chanel is synonymous with not one, but two, iconic designers. First there was Gabrielle, and then there was Karl. Chanel is a house known for its signatures that not only changed the course of fashion history but still resonate today – the Little Black Dress, the tweed suit, costume jewellery, Chanel No5. These signatures were inspired by Gabrielle Chanel's taste, life experience and travels – but it was Karl Lagerfeld who took these signatures and ingeniously adapted them for the twenty-first century woman. From his first days at the helm of Chanel in the 1980s, to his creative application of the Chanel logo to everything from biker boots to a space rocket, King Karl's reign at Chanel is nothing if not legendary.Little Book of Chanel by Lagerfeld covers his most exquisite pieces, breathtaking catwalk shows and constant reinvention that have maintained Chanel as the most illustrious couture house in the world. Written by the bestselling author of Little Book of Chanel, this beautifully illustrated book is the essential guide to Lagerfeld's tenure at Chanel.Table of ContentsEarly Years • The Chanel Challenge • Evolution of the Brand • Global Identity • Chanel Muses • Advertising • Atelier • Blockbuster Shows

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Book SynopsisA fashion journalist unzips the revolution, influence, and controversy of the modest fashion movement - as seen in Vogue Arabia, Harper's Bazaar, Stylist, Glamour, Publishers Weekly, Foreword Reviews, Booklist, and more. Muslim-American fashion journalist Hafsa Lodi has witnessed first-hand how the modest fashion industry has evolved from a niche segment to a powerful force that boasts a multibillion-dollar market value on the world stage. Whether they''re influenced by the feminist nuances of modesty, abide by religious dress norms, or keep up with the latest social media trends, modest fashion is profoundly popular. Lodi unpacks how designer brands like Gucci have popularized conservative attire and layering as the pinnacle of chic, and high-street brands like H&M and Mango have followed. She strips back the modest fashion movement to expose its true disruptors: the faith-centric fashion labels. Bolstered by a burgeoning community of Muslim, Jewish and Christian fashion influencers, they''re at the forefront of this global surge. Speaking to both the fashion industry and its consumers, Lodi explores the nuances and narratives of this fascinating movement and asks the burning question: In a world where fashion becomes a spectacle and seeks constant attention, can it ever be truly modest?

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Book SynopsisFrom their heritage trenches and ubiquitous check to experimental red carpet looks, the House of Burberry is known worldwide for its covetable designs.Sophisticated, simple, and quintessentially British, Burberry is beloved for its remarkable ability to straddle tradition and innovation. The allure of the 'Burberry Girls', like Cara Delevingne, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, epitomizes just what Burberry is about: aspiration, elegance and grace.Featuring an exquisite range of photographs, from finished designs to close-up details and beautifully styled shots, this book pulls back the curtain on the story behind the brand. Touching on its humble beginnings in 1856, all the way up to its current designs, this invaluable reference is the definitive word on all things Burberry.Table of ContentsIntroduction • Outerwear Innovation • New Directions • Iconic Check • Burberry Logo • ‘It’ Bags • Shaping the Future • The Trench Today

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Book SynopsisFrom Carrie Bradshaw to Grace Jones, and from Nicki Minaj to Blair Waldorf, New York is the fashion 'it girl' capital of the world.Home of both laid-back street style and the luxury of the MET Gala, New York has earned its reputation as one of the most stylish capitals in the world. From the eclectic looks of Brooklyn to chic Manhattan elegance, it is a city that hums with style. This instalment of the beautiful Little Books of City Style series will explore the fashion history of the city that never sleeps, providing an exquisitely illustrated guide to dressing like a Native New Yorker.

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Book SynopsisIn Gods and Kings Dana Thomas, author of Deluxe, tells the story of how John Galliano and Alexander McQueen changed the face of fashionIn the first decade of the 21st century the fashion world was dominated by two different but equally successful and turbulent figures. Within twelve months, Alexander McQueen had committed suicide, and John Galliano had professionally imploded. Who was to blame? And how was fashion changed by their rise and fall? Spanning the 80s, 90s and noughties, Gods and Kings tells the story of these two charismatic figures and times of great change in the world of fashion, from London''s raucous art and club scene to the old-world glamour of Parisian couture, and reveals the machinations of this notoriously secretive industry.Trade ReviewA page-turning tale of fashion's highest flyers * i-D *Fascinating... a well-told story of poetry, art and angst * Tatler *A vivid, arresting account * Evening Standard *More than a delicious read * InStyle *Riveting... [Dana Thomas] is terrific at describing the shock value of their shows * Mail on Sunday *Thomas has spoken to more than 100 fashion insiders to put together a portrait of an era dominated, in her account, by these two uncontrollable and wild talents... Thomas's narrative flits deftly between the "parallel professional journeys" of two men with a similar rebellious streak * Telegraph *Conjures up the particular madness of the fashion treadmill, with its constant quest for newness and the inevitability that a triumph would be followed by a fall * New Statesman *Occasionally titillating and ultimately poignant * T, The New York Times Style Magazine *

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Book SynopsisMiss Dior is a story of freedom and fascism, beauty and betrayal, roses and repression, and how the polished surface of fashion conceals hidden depths.

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Book SynopsisThe significance of the Aran knit is so much more than an unusually popular design. Arans communicate warmth, comfort and a sense of home, which people the world over continue to respond to. Vawn Corrigan explores how the Aran knit became so iconic.

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Book Synopsis'If you go to Tokyo, I think it becomes very obvious that there's this almost seamless mixture of popular culture and Japanese traditional culture.' – Kazuo IshiguroFrom the youthful maximalism of Harajuku to the luxurious sophistication of Ginza, Tokyo is the city of a thousand styles. With diverse and unique subcultures like the kitsch Sweet Lolitas, the dark and dramatic goths and punks, the retro rockbillys and the elegant and traditional Wa Lolitas, Tokyo is home to an explosion of fashion like no other. This instalment of the beautiful Little Books of City Style series will look at the style evolution of this incredible capital, providing an exquisitely illustrated guide to dressing like a true Tokyoite.

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Book SynopsisAn inspiration to countless designers and the stomping ground of fashion's in-crowd, London is the capital of subculture.From Mary Quant to Alexander McQueen, from punks to goths, and from Twiggy to Naomi Campbell, Little Book of London Style is the beautifully illustrated guide to the essential brands, trends and people that make up the style DNA of this unique city.Table of ContentsIntroduction • Birth of a style capital • Fashion designers • 1960s: The Swinging Sixties • 1970s/1980s: flower power to shoulder pads • 1990s: extravagant luxe • 2000s-present day: fashion for a new millennium • Style icons • Street style • Subcultures • Contemporary street style • Style destinations.

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Book SynopsisAudrey Hepburn: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon is a stunning illustrated biography of style and screen legend Audrey Hepburn, from internationally renowned fashion illustrator Megan Hess.From Sabrina to Breakfast at Tiffany's, Audrey Hepburn is renowned for her unforgettable film roles and fashion looks, but less well known is her fascinating life, including her childhood in Nazi-occupied Holland and her tireless dedication to helping those less fortunate than herself.In this book, Megan's beautiful illustrations follow Hepburn through three distinct chapters: her early life in World War II Europe, dreaming of becoming a ballerina; her ingénue years as the rising star of Hollywood and her incredible fashion partnership with Hubert de Givenchy; and her private life beyond the silver screen, building a legacy through her humanitarian work.Elegantly enclosed by a hardback cover and ribbon, Audrey Hepburn: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon is a beautiful celebration of a woman whose life was as remarkable as the clothes she wore and the movies she starred in, with every surprising detail and iconic outfit brought to life on the page by the expert hand of Megan Hess.

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Book SynopsisForewords by Jean-Claude Biver (CEO of Tag Heuer) and Aurel Bacs (Christie's and Phillips auctioneers).This breathtaking book explores more than 50 of the rarest watches in the world, including unique examples of which only a single model exists. From watches that have set new records in auction houses, to feats of modern technology and engineering, via iconic models worn by figures such as Elvis Presley and James Bond, this book appeals to professionals, collectors and amateurs alike. The photography in this book is published in collaboration with high-end auction houses and watch manufacturers, displaying some of the rarest, most expensive and sought-after watches in the world in incredible detail.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2021 PEN ACKERLEY PRIZE ‘A strange and mesmerising piece of work’ Sunday Times ‘An absolute masterpiece’ Laura Cumming ‘An uncommon delight’ Observer Claire Wilcox has been a curator of fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum for most of her working life. In Patch Work, she turns her curator’s eye to the fabric of life itself, tugging at the threads of memory: a cardigan worn by a child, a tin button box, the draping of a curtain, a pair of cycling shorts, a roll of lace, a pin hidden in a seam. Through these intimate and compelling close-ups, we see how the stories and the secrets of clothes measure out the passage of time, our gains and losses, and the way we use them to unravel and write our histories. ‘Effervescent, poetic, puzzle-like ... Wilcox picks at the heartstrings’ Financial TimesTrade ReviewInto this tapestry of memories Wilcox weaves a melancholy thread ... The clothes are Proust’s madeleines, cocooned in hatboxes and airing cupboards ... Gripping * Mail on Sunday *In this remarkable self-portrait, fashion curator Claire Wilcox has set out mementoes of her life like objects in an exhibition, like treasures in a cabinet of curiosities ... The result is magical ... Her spellbinding memoir is like a cherished book of poetry * Wall Street Journal *Wilcox writes about clothing with an intoxicating specificity ... she uses her encounters with objects to explore themes of love and loss, birth and bereavement, family and tribe ... As skilful and oblique in its structure as the precious gowns she describes, is stitched together with loving care from narrative scraps and images, ultimately revealing how materiality and memory operate on one another again -- Rebecca Mead * New Yorker, Books of the Year *An uncommon delight -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Effervescent, poetic, puzzle-like ... Wilcox picks at the heartstrings * Financial Times *Filled with dreamlike memories, this autobiography is both surprising and delightful ... A strange and mesmerising piece of work, one that tears apart the usual fabric of an autobiography * Sunday Times *In her beautifully written memoir Wilcox takes readers behind the scenes of life at the museum – while recounting the many ways that clothes have shaped her personal development in a series of lyrical vignettes * Vogue, 12 Of The Best Autumn Reads To Curl Up With Now *An extraordinary mixture of museum work interleaved with memoir … beautifully written, her book is a love story, with clothes as much as people as its heroes * Spectator *I am overwhelmed by this book. It is an absolute masterpiece. A book of such beauty and profundity, of such poetry in its emotion and observation ... The way it puts words to objects and events is so original. I have been moved to such tears by the lives told here, but also by the infinite care with which she has considered them over and over again, stitched them together, pieced out of memories and love -- LAURA CUMMING, author of On Chapel SandsPatch Work is a unique memoir told in rich, tantalising fragments that made me look at what we all wear with new interest and respect -- TRACY CHEVALIERI couldn't put it down ... What a wonderfully woven tangle of stories, from dreamlike rememberings of her past to the intimate glimpses of a world behind the polished facade of the museum, bound together by her devotion to clothes. Claire looks at clothes with an obsessive's eye, analysing every stitch and imagining the history of every crease, stretch and wrinkle ... Pure delight -- LARA MAIKLEM, author of MudlarkingAn exquisite book that works like a well-curated and eccentric exhibition. The chronology of time and the logic of life's sequences become irrelevant as you are led from one brightly-lit cabinet of memories and thoughts to another, while also learning about cloth, clothes and curating -- JULIA BLACKBURN, author of Time SongI loved its close detail, its sense of the warp and weft of life, of clothes and favoured objects. Everything seen is seen intensely. It’s a book to linger over and return to -- LYNN KNIGHT, author of The Button BoxIntelligent and tactile - part memoir, part beautifully curated collection of treasures. I loved it -- JOHN CRACE, author of Decline and FailA series of exquisite meditations * Harper's Bazaar *Patch Work will never leave me. Wilcox’s memoir of life as fashion curator at the V&A is as delicate and finely wrought as seventeenth-century lace -- MEG ROSOFFIn elegant, evocative prose, Victoria & Albert Museum fashion curator Claire tells her life story, from formative family life to love and loss, through the prism of a life-long obsession with clothes and the beautiful garments that inspired her intriguing career * Sunday Express *Among the books that most surprised and most moved me this year was Patch Work ... The book, which is as skillful and oblique in its structure as the precious gowns she describes, is stitched together with loving care from narrative scraps and images, ultimately revealing how materiality and memory operate on one another * New Yorker, Best Books We Read in 2021 *

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Book SynopsisA 2023 POLITICAL BOOK OF THE YEAR (WATERSTONES) 'GROUND-BREAKING' Bernardine Evaristo 'UNIVERSAL AND TIMELY' Elif Shafak 'IMPORTANT' Sathnam Sanghera 'A GENEROUS OFFERING' Nana Darkoa Sekiyamah 'QUIETLY RADICAL' Evening Standard 'INTIMATE' GuardianWhat can ancestral practices teach us about how to live fuller lives today?Upon turning forty, Afua Hirsch had an encounter that forever altered her preconceived notions of ancestry and body image, making her question everything from body-modification rituals such as tattoos and piercings to the foundations of sexuality, as well as attitudes towards puberty, ageing and death. This book charts her year-long journey of radical unlearning. Bringing together global scholarship, on-the-ground reportage, personal anecdotes and interviews with beauty experts, practitioners and service users, she reassesses notions of body image beyond those of the colonial, patriarchal gaze. Decolonising My Body is a powerful excavation of the Eurocentric beauty standards that have long shaped how, in particular, those from the Global Majority are perceived and view themselves. Taking us from puberty to end-of-life, Hirsch shows us that the ways in which we adorn and present ourselves have spiritual implications and shape the possibilities we see for ourselves in the world. These insights and discoveries will empower you to reconnect with your own ancestry, better understand the link between beauty, history and (respectability) politics, and liberate yourself from mainstream standards and systems that aren’t serving you. *Co-host of the LOYALTY podcast with Peter Frankopan*Trade ReviewExceptionally rich, inspiring, challenging, wise and moving. I didn't realise I needed this book until I read it and felt stirrings towards my own ancestral awakening of African female cultural beliefs and practices that were sadly long ago lost to the colonial project. This is a ground-breaking book that speaks to all women. * Bernardine Evaristo, author of 'Girl, Woman, Other' *I would wholeheartedly recommend Decolonising My Body by Afua Hirsch. It is a very brave and honest exploration, almost and excavation of Eurocentric standards of beauty and perceptions of body, particularly of the female body. It is also a calm and wise call of an awakening, a friendly – or sisterly – invitation to a transformative journey beyond these mental walls that have been erected around and between us by capitalism and patriarchy and colonialism. I found it both universal and timely -- Elif Shafak * The New Statesman Books of the Year 2023 *There's something on every page of this book that you didn't know before, or makes you look at things a new. An important publication. -- Sathnam Sanghera, author of 'Stolen History' and 'Empireland'Decolonising my Body is both a generous offering, and a joy filled testimony. Afua skilfully pulls us into her world, and generously allows us to accompany her on a journey of questioning and unpacking notions of beauty. This exploration lights a path for all people who seek to (re)connect with more expansive understandings of beauty. -- Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, author of 'The Sex Lives of African Women'Afua has cut through so much of the noise to provide an enlightening and necessary reflection on how we can learn from the wisdom and beauty of our ancestors to become spiritually healthier humans. This book is a knowledge gift to us all. * Naomi Evans, author of 'The Mixed Race Experience', co-Founder of Everyday Racism *The journalist, commentator and author of Brit(ish) reflects on twelve months radical unlearning of Eurocentric and patriarchal conventions of beauty in this powerful and challenging volume. * Waterstones, 'Best Books of 2023: Politics' *This is a vital, challenging account of reassessing body image beyond the colonial, patriarchal gaze – told with Hirsch’s trademark rigour and purpose * i, *Christmas Gift Guide 2023* *Decolonising My Body is Hirsch’s pilgrimage towards another definition of rest and care, one that feels ancestral and intimate. As a reader you can’t help but be swept up in her quest of gentle unlearning and relearning -- Niellah Arboinne * The Guardian *A remarkable journey to unlearn western beauty standards and explore ancestral skin, hair and body modification rituals. -- Funmi Fetto * Observer *Disarmingly honest... quietly radical * Evening Standard *Praise for Brit(ish): Highly personal and yet instantly universal, this is a book that millions will instantly relate to. The book for our divided and dangerous times. * David Olusoga, author of 'Black and British' *Praise for Brit(ish): A warm, informative and occasionally heart-wrenching blend of personal and political and the messiness between the two' * Nikesh Shukla, author of 'The Good Immigrant' *

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Book Synopsis'A gripping blockbuster... Thomas researches meticulously and writes with simmering even-handed anger' TELEGRAPH. Fashionopolis is the definitive book on the cost of fast fashion, and a blueprint for how we get to a more sustainable future. Fashion has blighted our planet. Today, one out of six people on earth work in fashion, churning out 100 billion garments a year. Yet 98 percent of them do not earn a living wage, and 2.1 billion tonnes of clothing is thrown away annually. The clothing industry's exploitation of fellow humans and the environment has reached epic levels. What should we do? Bestselling author and veteran journalist Dana Thomas has travelled the globe to find the answers. In Fashionopolis, she details the damage wrought by fashion's behemoths, and celebrates the visionaries – including activists, artisans, designers, and tech entrepreneurs – fighting for change. We all have been casual about our clothes. It's time to get dressed with intention. Fashionopolis is the first comprehensive look at how to start. Reviews: 'Fascinating... Powerful... Thomas has succeeded in calling attention to the major problems of the fashion industry' New York Times 'Thomas takes a story most of us think we know, but tells it better and in compelling, readable detail' The Times 'Engaging and thorough... Fashionopolis has implications beyond cloth and thread' Financial Times 'Thomas is a conscientious reporter – as evidenced in her research, which is studded with statistics' Times Literary SupplementTrade ReviewThomas convincingly lays out multiple arguments against fast fashion... Thoroughly reported and persuasively written, Thomas's clarion call for more responsible practices in fashion will speak to both industry professionals and socially conscious consumers' * Publishers Weekly *Thomas, a Paris-based fashion journalist, takes a story most of us think we know, but tells it better and in compelling, readable detail... Thomas's focus on the big picture doesn't get in the way of her love of a quirky detail... Thomas's long view is thought-provoking... [Fashionopolis] also engagingly elucidates how we may change things' * The Times *A pleasurable read on the innovators trying to make clothes with less cruelty and harm... Engaging and thorough... Thomas's emphasis on upstart innovators and entrepreneurs is part of what makes the book such a pleasure to read' * Financial Times *Thomas offers a bracing, urgently important look at the ills fast fashion has wrought... This eye-opening book is a must-read not only for fashion junkies but for everyone who buys and wears clothes, enlightening us as to the garment industry's dark past, its embattled present, and – if we make the thoughtful choices Thomas presents – its bright future' -- Caroline Weber, author of Proust's DuchessAn eye-opening account of the true cost of "fast fashion"... Thomas circles the globe to profile innovators who are working to make the garment trade more sustainable and offers a vision of better, rather than, faster fashion... I, for one, will never open my closet and look at my choices in quite the same way again' -- Julia Flynn Siler, author of The White Devil's DaughtersThomas offers informed, fair-minded, passionate, and cautiously optimistic scrutiny of "fast fashion"... A distressing yet intriguing story... Engrossing... Convincing, responsible, and motivational fashion industry reportage' * Kirkus Reviews *Fast fashion and its long-term consequences are such crucial subjects that it's hard to believe that no one thought to write this book until now. And how lucky we are that it's Dana Thomas who finally did, bringing her encyclopedic knowledge and expertly trained eye to bear on the excesses of a system by which companies exploit people and the planet to produce clothes that we barely wear. Investigating the factory floor to runway in search of a better way forward, Thomas makes an unshakeable argument for a different way of getting dressed -- Lauren Collins, When In FrenchA great resource for learning about the effects of fast fashion' * Reader's Digest *Fashionopolis is blunt: We're all going to drown in a landfill piled high with cheap clothes if we don't stop shopping like maniacs. Thomas's thoughtful reporting explains how w -- Robin Givhan, author of The Battle of Versailles.Thomas's is one of those books you can't stop reading bits out from to whoever is around, and which winds up changing your entire perspective * Sydney Morning Herald. *A must-read for anyone in the industry * Boutique Magazine *Exposes fashion's toxic relationship with the environment in its pursuit of 'unbridled capitalism'. If anything can persuade you to change your habits, this will * Country & Town House *Thomas is a conscientious reporter – as evidenced in her research, which is studded with statistics... Fortunately, Thomas provides glimpses of change in the industry' * Times Literary Supplement *[A] well-researched and fascinating book... Her gift for scene-setting and her sharp assessments of many of the trendsetting entrepreneurs behind the scenes across the globe keeps Fashionopolis engaging throughout' * Irish Times *A raw and shocking account of the price of fast fashion, Fashionopolis is a magnificent resource for both the consumer and the industry * Sublime *Thomas details the damage wrought by fashion's behemoths, and celebrates the visionaries including activists, artisans and designers fighting for change * Irish Independent *A well-researched read about fast fashion and why we all need to change our habits * Wallpaper *A compelling and devastating argument for why we should all be making more thoughtful choices * Independent *

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Book Synopsis'What a fabulous book - a must for any royal watcher! It's elegant, stylish and gloriously illustrated. I didn't want it to end. I loved the original and innovative approach to the subject, and the new insights I gained. I cannot recommend it highly enough.' Alison Weir'Vogue, like the royal family, has been through many evolutions of its own, and to view Her Majesty's life though the record of our pages is truly a document of history.' - Edward Enninful, Editor-in-Chief of British VogueFive monarchs (crowned and uncrowned); one abdication; one royal investiture; a jewel box of jubilees and many, many royal marriages... British Vogue has borne witness to a century of royal history. As another reign begins, The Crown in Vogue is the magazine's 'special royal salute' to the House of Windsor. Vogue's first star photographer, Cecil Beaton, was entranced by the House of Windsor and the admiration was mutual. A younger star photographer, Antony Armstrong Jones, left Vogue to marry the Queen's sister and returned as Lord Snowdon. The Queen's cousin, Vogue's Lord Lichfield proved an insightful photographer of royal style along with many of Vogue's fashion photographers including Horst, Norman Parkinson and David Bailey. With visual treasures from Vogue's unrivalled archive and contributions through the decades from the most perceptive of royal commentators - from Evelyn Waugh to Zadie Smith - The Crown in Vogue is the definitive, authoritative portrait of Queen Elizabeth II's magnificent reign - and of royalty in the modern age.

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Book Synopsis"Give me time and I'll give you a revolution" – Alexander McQueenEver since its creation in 1992, the House of Alexander McQueen has been synonymous with drama, risk-taking and cutting-edge innovation. From iconic collaborations, like with Lady Gaga for her "Bad Romance" music video, to shockingly controversial runway shows like The Horn of Plenty, Alexander McQueen was beloved for his fantastical silhouettes and blurring of gender lines.This exquisitely illustrated volume explores the story behind the House, from McQueen's own early days to the current leadership of Sarah Burton. Through a carefully curated collection of finished designs, close-up details and sketches, this book pulls back the veil on the wonderful world of McQueen.Table of ContentsIntroduction • The Early Years • Central Saint Martin • Early Connections • The House of Givenchy • Back in London • Collaborators and Muses • Sarah Burton: Beyond McQueen

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Book SynopsisThe first illustrated monograph dedicated to the history of the House of Worth, the world's first haute couture house, founded by Charles Frederick Worth in Paris in 1858.Trade Review'Engaging and almost encyclopaedic … a story brilliantly told … every library should have it' - The Business of Fashion'Sumptuous' - Daily Telegraph'The definitive account of the life and work of the man whom the fashion world would remember as its father' - The Lady'Lavish' - Country LifeTable of ContentsForeword by Christian Lacroix • Introduction • I. Charles Frederick Worth: An Englishman in Paris • II. Gaston & Jean-Philippe Worth: The Alchemy of Success (1895–1922) • III. Jacques and Jean-Charles Worth: The whirl of the jazz age (1922–1941) • IV. Roger & Maurice Worth: The Final Chapter (1941–1954) • V. Perfume and Beauty Creations • Legacy and Influence

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Book SynopsisFashion Game Changers traces radical innovations in Western fashion design from the beginning of the 20th century to the present.Challenging the traditional silhouettes of their day, fashion designers such as Madeleine Vionnet and Cristóbal Balenciaga began to liberate the female body from the close-fitting hourglass forms which dominated European and American fashion, instead enveloping bodies in more autonomous garments which often took inspiration from beyond the West. As the century progressed, new generations of avant-garde designers from Rei Kawakubo to Martin Margiela further developed the ideas instigated by their predecessors to defy established notions of femininity in dress, creating space between body and garment. This way, a new relationship between body and dress emerged for the 21st century.With over 200 images and commentaries from an international range of leading fashion curators and historians, this beautifully illustrated book showcases some of the most revolTrade ReviewLet the dynamic and bright photographs in Fashion Game Changers guide you through the world of the 20th-century silhouette … A whistlestop tour through 100 years of fashion. * Daily Mail *A great resource for those who are inspired by the experimental side of fashion. * The Independent *[Images] bring each designer’s work vividly to life, and make the book engaging for casual readers and academics alike ... An invaluable visual record of a group of designers, spread across decades and continents, who embody a new way of dressing the female form. In exploring designers who seek formal perfection over body modification, and who place the wearer at the centre of their practice, the book also stands as a record of women’s place in the world at this point in history. * The Journal of Dress History *This book is a tribute to those designers who radically transformed the female silhouette in the 20th century and created alternatives to the hour-glass silhouette that had dominated women's fashion for centuries. * Vintage Made Magazine *Fashion Game Changers is the kind of book I relish: both academic and captivating in its observations. It contextualises fashion and its designers, and illustrates just how significant clothing has been in documenting social history. * The Hon. Daphne Guinness *Fashion Game Changers is an innovative and important book with extraordinary images and intelligent essays devoted to the designers who have radically transformed fashion's relationship with the body. * Valerie Steele, Director and Chief Curator, The Museum at FIT, New York *Fashion Game Changers is a fascinating and intelligent take on the designers of the mid 20th century, whose experiments with form and shape have changed attitudes towards the female body and femininity itself. * Frances Corner OBE, Head of London College of Fashion and Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts London *Before designers like Coco Chanel and Madeleine Vionnet, hourglass silhouettes dominated Western fashion, constricting waists and restricting women's movements. That started to change in the 20th century with innovations ranging from Chanel's gamine jackets to Cristóbal Balenciaga's cascading dresses. The book Fashion Game Changers, out April 21 from Bloomsbury Visual Arts, traces the evolution of fashion designers creating freer, looser-fitting forms. With these radical, avant-garde designs, women were finally able to breathe. -- Catie L'Heureux * NYMag.com *The writing is as exhilarating as the photographs … Especially interesting are short pieces called “The Insider View,” in which individuals give a personal testimony to what it means to wear clothes from Comme des Garçons, Martin Margiela and Miyake, not for a few fleeting catwalk minutes, but in real life. I simply cannot praise this accessible, enlightening book highly enough. -- Colin McDowell, author of The Business of FashionTable of Contents1. Fashion Game Changers: Reinventing the 20th Century Silhouette - An Introduction Kaat Debo 2. Iconoclastic Visions of the Silhouette: Cristóbal Balenciaga Miren Arzalluz 3. Self-Taught and Experimental: A New Approach to the Body Karen Van Godtsenhoven The Inside View – Karin Dillen on Wearing Maison Martin Margiela Hettie Judah 4. Kindred Spirits: The Radical Poetry of Japanese and Belgian Designers Anabela Becho The Inside View – Liliane Lijn on Wearing Issey Miyake Hettie Judah 5. The Discovery of Abstraction in Twentieth-Century Fashion Akiko Fukai 6. Shadows of the Body Olivier Saillard 7. Cultural Liberation Springing from Physical Liberation: Reception Study of the 1980s Avant-Garde Hettie Judah The Inside View – Isolde Pringiers on Wearing Commes des Garçons Hettie Judah 8. More Game Changers: Louise Boulanger, André Courrèges, Pierre Cardin, Paco Rabanne, Georgina Godley Miren Arzalluz, Karen Van Godtsenhoven and Alexandre Samson Endnotes Bibliography Notes on Contributors Photo Credits Index Acknowledgements

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Book Synopsis''A funny, achievable guide'' Observer''Lauren Bravo is one of my favourite writers'' Dolly Alderton''Bravo will inspire you to repair, recycle and give old items a new lease of life'' StylistYou probably know the statistics: global clothing production has roughly doubled in just 15 years, and every year an estimated 300,000 tonnes of used clothing ends up in UK landfill.Fast fashion is the ultimate toxic relationship. It''s bad news for the planet, our brains and our bank balances. We can''t go on like this; our shopping habits need an overhaul.Journalist Lauren Bravo loves clothes more than anything, but she''s called time on her affair with fast fashion in search of a slower, saner way of dressing. In this book, she''ll help you do the same.How To Break Up With Fast Fashion will help you to change your mindset, fall back in love with your wardrobe and embrace more sustainable wTrade ReviewOffers honest and realistic advice . . . Bravo will inspire you to repair, recycle and give old items a new lease of life, all without sacrificing your style, and the planet * Stylist Magazine *One of my most anticipated books of 2020 . . .as well as being full of brilliant advice, it's an honest, compassionate celebration of style and creativity. This what to read if you love clothes, women and the planet and you want to be inspired to do right by all of them. * Daisy Buchanan *As someone who has been trying to consciously change her shopping habits for years, this book made me realise that in a lot of ways I've been missing the point. However, it never talks down to you, or puts you on any more of guilt trip than most of us are all already on. It's just the facts, pure and simple, with a really clear guide on how we can do better and a relatable narrator to remind you that we're all human. For anyone wanting to change up their fashion ways, this book is invaluable. * Katherine Ormerod *Lauren is an important voice. A fashion lover, committed to reducing landfill and fashion's impact on the environment, she makes her clothes last longer and her purchases count. In this fun and enjoyable read, she encourages us all to see a future full of exciting styled looks no matter what our budget. * Caryn Franklin *A funny, achievable guide to reducing our fabric footprint, and covers swapping, mending, washing less and, most importantly, resisting the urge to shop. * Observer Magazine *Lauren Bravo shares her style secrets, from secondhand shopping to a good-luck dress * Telegraph *brilliant tips * Who What Wear *A guilt-free guide that will change the way you think about clothing for the better. It will inspire you to repair, recycle, and spruce up old items, as well as embrace more sustainable habits when it comes to shopping. * Independent *How To Break Up With Fast Fashion offers realistic advice on repairing and recycling your wardrobe, encouraging readers to embrace more sustainable ways of shopping. * Country & Town House *For a more accessible read, I'd recommend Lauren Bravo's How to Break Up with Fast Fashion. * Venetia La Manna, Marie Claire *Refreshingly honest and never patronising, overflowing with fabulous tips for repairing, recycling and buying clothes that last, even on a budget. * Independent, 10 Best Books to Help You Live More Sustainably *This book will educate you as well as make you laugh * Stellar *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE BIOGRAPHERS' CLUB SLIGHTLY FOXED BEST FIRST BIOGRAPHY PRIZE'Full of love, wisdom and yearning' Kit de WaalA coming-of-age story set in Birmingham in the 1980s and 1990s, The Go-Between opens a window into a closed migrant community living in a red-light district on the wrong side of the tracks.The adult world is seen through Osman's eyes as a child: his own devout migrant Muslim patriarchal community, with its divide between the world of men and women, living cheek-by-jowl with parallel migrant communities. Alternative masculinities compete with strict gender roles, and female erasure and honour-based violence are committed, even as empowering female friendships prevail. The stories Osman tells, some fantastical and humorous, others melancholy and even harrowing, take us from the Birmingham of Osman's childhood to the banks of the river Kabul and the river Indus, and, eventually, to the London of his teenage years.Osman weaves in and out of these worlds, struggling with the dual burdens of racism and community expectations, as he is forced to realise it is no longer possible to exist in the spaces in between.Trade ReviewA beautifully observed and funny book * * Guardian * *I don't think I properly understood the true nature of multiculturalism before reading Osman Yousefzada's The Go-Between. Only really good writing can bring alive the truth, the colour, the reality and the meaning of an experience like Osman's. And he really is a good writer . . . I read with such pleasure, terror, amusement, admiration and fascination - it is surely one of the great childhood memoirs of our times -- STEPHEN FRYA poetic and moving book. Osman paints pictures with words, unfolding hidden stories that stay with you beyond the final page -- HANIF KUREISHIThat rare thing, a memoir that reads like a novel; a page-turner full of love, wisdom and yearning that examines what it means for the outsider to belong and the winding route that takes us there. I loved it -- KIT DE WAALOsman's compelling and humane memoir shines light into a hidden world I didn't realise existed down the road from me. It's an essential book that will help you understand multiculturalism in all its complexities -- SATHNAM SANGHERAYousefzada's funny and fascinating story of moving between two cultures . . . this memoir is a welcome exploration of time and place * * Stylist * *Moving and vivid . . . distinctive and memorable . . . by turns harrowing and humorous. [Yousefzada] is adept at portraying life through the eyes of a child as well as infusing passages with reflective wisdom and perspective. In evocative prose that skilfully charts both outer landscapes and inner emotional worlds, The Go-Between captures how it feels to be an outsider, and the yearning to belong * * i * *A remarkable insight into multicultural Britain and the pain inherent in following your own path * * Observer * *A fascinating memoir, quite chilling in parts, and uplifting in others -- NIHAL ARTHANAYAKEEloquently honest and eye-openingly frank * * The Times * *

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Book Synopsis''It’s Ganni’s journey from cult Scandi favourite to a leader in the sustainability space''Emily Chan, VogueThis book is about what happened when a business leader decided not to bury his head in the sand about climate change; when he found the conversation with his kids about floods from melting ice caps too painful. This book asks what it means to force yourself to take a different business path, where the destination is a responsible and profit-making business.In The GANNI Playbook, Nicolaj Reffstrup unveils the strategies that propelled GANNI to international stardom, while candidly unravelling the cultural, operational and creative components required to construct a business that embraces an uncertain future.''GANNI offers a blueprint for how to embed sustainability from within''Rachel Cernansky, Vogue Business''What''s the secret to sustainable success? There is no secret. GANNI is willing to share. In fact, it’s doing exactly that''Rose Dodd, Sleek

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Book Synopsis"It's a fabulous thing to give life to fabric, to make something move well, the harmony of colour" - Hubert de GivenchyEver since Audrey Hepburn stood outside Tiffany's, croissant in hand, Givenchy has been the last word in elegant couture. The clean, sweeping lines and classic, feminine silhouettes have enthralled women from the Duchess of Sussex to Kendall Jenner, all of whom adore the romanticism and sophistication of a Givenchy ensemble. More sculptor than designer, Hubert de Givenchy created a house that is utterly timeless.This exquisitely illustrated volume explores the story behind the brand, from its creation in 1952 to its current leadership and designs. Through a carefully curated collection of finished designs, close-up details and key moments, this book shines a light on the dazzling world of Givenchy.Table of ContentsIntroduction • The Early Years • The House of Givenchy • The Ultimate Muse • Expanding the House • The Rich and Famous • A New Generation • Fashion in a Multimedia World

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Book SynopsisThroughout his life, clothes have provided an outlet through which journalist Teo van den Broeke understands both himself and the world around him.From the blue princess dress he coveted as a child, that first led him to question whether he was normal', through to the Nike cap and Gucci loafers he wore to impress the men he first desired, fabric has long enveloped and shaped his formative moments.Using the wardrobe of his past as a lens through which to explore the myriad trials and tribulations of adolescence, The Closet charts Teo's growth from uncertainty to self-acceptance. Courageously recounting his sexual awakening, the all too familiar hesitancy around his adult future and his many, often tumultuous, relationships with family and friends Teo learns that it is only in celebrating our differences that we can learn to fully embrace the brilliance within ourselves.Trade Review“Witty and original and incredibly touching. I loved this book.” Andrew Scott “Teo van den Broeke’s clever and beautiful memoir is as chic as it is emotional.” Giles Hattersley, Features Director, Vogue “A coming-of-age story that is both completely original and hugely relatable.” Jess Cartner-Motley, Associate Fashion Editor, The Guardian “Both a love letter and an homage to any kid who feels a bit different. A life affirming read.” Dermot O’Leary “A completely original coming out tale that is dressed to kill.” Dylan Jones, Editor-in-chief, Evening Standard “I laughed, I cried, I wanted better clothes. The Closet is a tapestry of pin sharp realisations that unpicks modern manhood.” Raven Smith, The Sunday Times Bestselling Author “Funny, moving, tender and true, this memoir will resonate with anyone who has ever been young, misunderstood, and head-over-heels in love with a pair of unsuitable shoes. That’s everyone, right?” Alex Bilmes, Editori-in-chief, Esquire

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Book SynopsisA TLS, FINANCIAL TIMES, NEW STATESMAN, GUARDIAN, OBSERVER AND WHITE REVIEW BOOK OF THE YEARFINALIST FOR THE 2021 ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION From award-winning writer Claudia Rankine, the stunning follow-up to Citizen and Don''t Let Me Be Lonely ''Riveting'' Bernardine Evaristo, TLS (Books of the Year)''Brilliant'' Gary Younge, New Statesman (Books of the Year)''Timely and powerful'' Fatima Bhutto, Financial Times''One of our time''s most incisive, brilliant and necessary intellectuals'' Seán Hewitt, Irish Times''Ranking is a writer of genius'' Jeremy Noel-Tod, Sunday TimesAt home and in government, contemporary America finds itself riven by a culture war in which aggression and defensiveness alike are on the rise. It is not alone. In such partisan conditions, how can humans best approach one another across our differences?Taking the study of whiteness and white supremacy as a guiding light, Claudia Rankine explores a series of real encounters with friends and strangers - each disrupting the false comfort of spaces where our public and private lives intersect, like the airport, the theatre, the dinner party and the voting booth - and urges us to enter into the conversations which could offer the only humane pathways through this moment of division.Just Us is an invitation to discover what it takes to stay in the room together, and to breach the silence, guilt and violence that surround whiteness. Brilliantly arranging essays, images and poems along with the voices and rebuttals of others, it counterpoints Rankine''s own text with facing-page notes and commentary, and closes with a bravura study of women confronting the political and cultural implications of dyeing their hair blonde.Wry, vulnerable and prescient, this is Rankine''s most intimate work, less interested in being right than in being true, and being together.Trade ReviewClaudia Rankine marshalls the full range of her substantial talents - from poetry to essay - to explore how racism is lived, privilege is expressed and engagement might be possible. Personal, political, interrogative and, most all, impressive -- Gary YoungeThis brilliant and multi-layered work is a call, a bid, an insistent, rightly impatient demand for a public conversation on whiteness . . . bold and vital -- Judith ButlerIn my work, well-meaning white people consistently ask me how to recognize racism. Yet we might ask, "How have we managed not to know?" The information is everywhere, if we care to listen . . . With clarity and grace, Claudia Rankine delivers a gut punch to white denial. Just Us is stunning work - audacious, revelatory, devastating -- Robin DiAngeloIn Just Us, Claudia Rankine continues her remarkable and brilliant interrogation of the language, culture, and history that have shaped America, forging through poems, essays, and documents a literary archive that is utterly original and desperately needed -- Dinaw MengestuFiercely intimate, rigorous . . . [Just Us] lets all of us in on the conversations - with others and the self - that are necessary for survival -- Nuar Alsadir

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Book SynopsisFor over 400 years the tailored suit has dominated wardrobes the world over. Its simple forms, inspired by royal, military, religious and professional clothing, have provided a functional and often elegant uniform for modern life. But whether bespoke or tailor-made, on the street or in the office, during times of celebration or of crisis, we typically take the suit for granted, ignoring its complex construction and many symbolic meanings.The Suit unpicks the story of this most familiar garment, from its emergence in western Europe at the end of the seventeenth century to today. Suit-wearing figures such as the Savile Row gentleman and the Wall Street businessman have long embodied ideas of tradition, masculinity, power and respectability, but the suit has also been used to disrupt concepts of gender and conformity. Adopted and subverted by women, artists, musicians and social revolutionaries through the decades - from dandies and Sapeurs to the Zoot Suit and Le Smoking - the suit is also a device for challenging the status quo. For all those interested in the history of menswear, this beautifully illustrated book offers new perspectives on this most mundane, and poetic, product of modern culture.Trade Review'In its long history the suit has been both a symbol of adherence to mainstream authority as well as a weapon of rebellion. In this book Christopher Breward masterfully traces the suit's influence in modern and contemporary cultures with thorough scholarship and vivid writing. The Suit is a magical tour of the corporeal terrain of the garment that continues to intrigue us as it reflects the ever-changing economic and cultural contexts in which it is found. A triumph of scholarship and a joy to read.' -- G. Bruce Boyer, author of True Style: The History and Principles of Classic Menswear, Rebel Style, and Gary Cooper: Enduring Style 'Spirited and well researched, The Suit: Form, Function and Style is a thoroughly informed examination of the ubiquitous garment that is a staple in every man's life. Combining both substance and style, it provides a journey into the evolution of the suit and its cultural influence through the ages. -- Ed Burstell, Managing Director, Liberty. 'Breward climbs into every armhole and measures every inside leg. He stops at nothing to decode the enigmas of men's tailoring.' --Simon Doonan, Creative Ambassador for Barneys New York and author of The Asylum: True Tales of Madness from a Life in Fashion

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Book Synopsis''This book is genius. It pinpoints all the things I have ever felt about my wardrobe... It''s funny, charming and brilliantly explained. You''ll feel better just reading it!'' Emma Forbes''Rebecca''s book considers clothes and our attitudes to them from a wildly original and truly kaleidoscopic range of angles.'' Alexandra Shulman''A fascinating deep dive that will make you think differently about the clothes you wear and why you bought them.'' Lisa Armstrong, The TelegraphNothing to wear? Here''s the book that explains why...We''ve all been there: we stand in front of a wardrobe brimming with clothes, and find that nothing feels quite right, nothing makes us feel OK about ourselves. Although something new might fix it...Rebecca Willis unpicks our love-hate relationship with clothes, exploring the factors from neuroscience to the patriarchy that make us such easy prey for the fashion i

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Book Synopsis"A collection of essential quotations from the renowned fashion designer, DJ, and stylist"--Trade Review"Virgil Abloh says the darndest, most illuminating things—enough in his young fashion career to fill a 160-page book titled Abloh-isms. . . . The book maps out Abloh’s unique thinking in chapters devoted to his early years, his inspirations and influences, his creative methods, his impact and his singular point of view on streetwear, fashion and art . . . breathtakingly incisive."---Miles Socha, Women’s Wear Daily online"[Abloh-isms] spotlights a diverse selection of quotes by Virgil Abloh who has made a profound mark in the worlds of fashion, art, design and pop culture. Authored by Larry Warsh, the book features a collection of quotes by Abloh that were gathered from interviews, discussions, media outlets and other sources. The quotes touch on Abloh’s creativity, passion, innovation, race, and what it means to be an artist of his generation."---Keith Estiler, Hypebeast"Abloh-isms is the new Bible for all the fans of the American designer. . . . An unmissable volume for all Abloh fans, and for all fashion lovers." * NSS Magazine *"This set of quotes reflects the unique and peculiar perspective, idea and philosophy that accompanied Virgil Abloh throughout his life showing us how he became an icon of our time." * Collater.al *

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Book SynopsisThere is plenty of information about military dress in Roman Britain and the rest of the Roman Empire, but the evidence for civilian dress has not been comprehensively looked at since the 1930s. In this richly illustrated survey, Alexandra Croom describes the range and style of clothing worn throughout the Western Empire and shows how fashions changed between the first and the sixth centuries. After a short introduction to the evidence (from archaeology, art and literature), and to the manufacture of clothing and its use in status display, she systematically treats male and female dress, looking at the tunic, toga (for men), mantle (for women) and cloaks; underwear, footwear and specialist wear; hats, hairstyles and jewellery. The book concentrates on the clothing work in the Mediterranean region, but includes a section on provincial fashions. A fine and varied corpus of illustrations (including colour plates) helps to bring the everyday world of the Roman Empire to life.

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Book Synopsis"A true collector’s item…" — Tim Chan, Rolling Stone "Filled to the brim with everything from Harry's colour palettes to his inspiration, this pick combines high-fashion with all the quirkiness we love about HS and it's just perfect." — Glamour UK "Have the best-dressed coffee table by adorning it with this book filled with photos of THE best-dressed man." — Seventeen Magazine "It's a wonderful book... if you're a Harry Styles fan or not...just have a look at how he wears clothes, look at his influences, and if you are a Harry Styles fan, it's a double whammy." — BBC's Jo Good Show "This deep dive into some of his most iconic fits is a dream gift for the person who basically spent 2021-2023 living, breathing, and eating Love On Tour." — Buzzfeed “I’m incredibly lucky to have an environment where I feel comfortable being myself” – Harry Styles. Stepping bravely into the cyclone of 21st-century fashions, Harry Styles is more than weathering the storm. Whether he’s breaking the internet with his $7.99 frog-eyed yellow bucket hat or a pair of black fishnets, or fronting cult magazine The Beauty Papers, as he did in March 2021, Hazza’s sparkle knows no boundaries. Gucci met Styles in 2014, and there was instant chemistry. According to designer Alessandro Michele, Harry is ‘a young Greek God with the attitude of James Dean and a little bit of Mick Jagger’ – and that effortless superstardom certainly radiates from the photos in this collection, which document the heart of Harry’s wardrobe, both on-stage and off. Part fashion history lesson, pulling references from the rock and roll greats of the past, and part innovation, Harry’s style pays homage to Kurt Cobain and Marc Bolan, Prince and Little Richard, while developing into something authentic and entirely his own. This chic book fizzles with facts about Harry’s styling choices, presenting the star’s most revered looks alongside pictures that trace the roots of each design. With quotes from key designers, this is the perfect gift for any fan. Trade Review"A true collector’s item…" - Tim Chan, Rolling StonePosted on Instagram stories by Influencer Tara Thompson, Influencer Jenna Wolf, and Influencer Emmy Hartman. - InstagramPosted on Instagram stories by Magazine Elle Korea - InstagramHarry Styles... "has known how to break all the rules to dress matching classic Hollywood with rebellion of rock." [Translated from Spanish via Google Translate] - ELLE Mexico"Filled to the brim with everything from Harry's colour palettes to his inspiration, this pick combines high-fashion with all the quirkiness we love about HS, and it's just perfect." - Glamour UKPosted on Instagram stories by influencer Lauren Ladnier - Instagram"This collection book is a detailed study of the selection of outfits throughout the years of Styles' career and that prints the moment that the world is going through: one where inclusion, diversity and difference not only are welcome, but they set the fashion trends and 21st century society." - Grazie Mexico"Harry Styles fans unite: this epic book takes a look at the Watermelon Sugar singer's epic outfits to date through 100 fabulous photographs – also paying homage to the idols who have influenced his sartorial taste. A great gifts for teens who love Harry" - Glamour UK"This hardcover book by Terry Newman also features eye-catching photos of the artist’s amazing fashions, making it the ideal purchase for the biggest Harry Styles fan — or even fashion lover — you know." - Seventeen Magazine"Have the best-dressed coffee table by adorning it with this book filled with photos of THE best-dressed man." - Seventeen Magazine"With over 100 photos and references to pop idols that have inspired some of Styles’s looks, Harry Styles: And the Clothes he Wears takes readers on a deep dive into the artist’s closet." - Bella MagazinePosted on Instagram stories and TikTok by Influencer Andie J - Instagram and TikTokPosted on Instagram stories by Influencer Ceri Jones. - Instagram Ceri Jones"Has anyone else been keeping up with the ever-changing fashion evolution of Harry Styles? From suits, to skirts to sequins the man has done it all, and author Terry Newman, is serving it to us on a silver platter." - BELLA Magazine"It's a wonderful book... if you're a Harry Styles fan or not...just have a look at how he wears clothes, look at his influences, and if you are a Harry Styles fan, it's a double whammy." - BBC's Jo Good Show"See the inspiration behind some of the most famous looks worn by Harry Styles. The beautifully bound book has over 100 photos of the pop star and his fashion choices." - Entertainment Tonight"The Perfect Last Minute Gifts For The Pop Music Lover In Your Life." - Z100 New York Radio"This deep dive into some of his most iconic fits is a dream gift for the person who basically spent 2021-2023 living, breathing, and eating Love On Tour." - Buzzfeed

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Book SynopsisIn 1881, a writer in the Saturday Review called tattooing an art without a history'. No-one', it went on, has made it the business of his life to study the development of tattooing.' Until now.Painted People is a beguiling and intimate look at an untold history of humanity.The earliest tattoos yet identified belonged to Ötzi, the iceman', whose mummy allows us a brief glimpse into the prehistory of the practice. We know that over the more than five thousand years since he was tattooed, countless cultures have performed this ancient practice, and people in every corner of the world have been tattooed. For the most part, these fascinating histories remain stubbornly untold, and the secrets of Siberian princesses, Chinese generals and Victorian socialites have been hidden on the skin, under layers of clothing and under layers of history. Now with access to a wealth of new and unreported material, this book will roll up its sleeves and reveal the artwork hidden beneath them.In Painted PeopTrade Review‘Intriguing and thoughtful’ Shahidaha Bari, Literary Review ‘Fascinating’ Stories & Ink

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Book SynopsisRiffling through the wardrobes of years gone by, costume historian Lucy Adlington reveals the rich stories underlying the clothes we wear in this stylish tour of the most important developments in the history of fashion, from ancient times to the present day. Starting with underwear – did you know Elizabeth I owned just one pair of drawers, worn only after her death? – she moves garment by garment through Western attire, exploring both the items we still wear every day and those that have gone the way of the dodo (sugared petticoats, farthingales and spatterdashers to name but a few).Beautifully illustrated throughout, and crammed with fascinating and eminently quotable facts, Stitches in Time shows how the way we dress is inextricably bound up with considerations of aesthetics, sex, gender, class and lifestyle – and offers us the chance to truly appreciate the extraordinary qualities of these, our most ordinary possessions.Trade ReviewAnyone with a closet full of vintage clothes will find Stitches in Time a fascinating primer to the art of getting dressed. * Mail on Sunday *Lucy Adlington has done something very impressive in making this a lively, vibrant and constantly interesting history – with each chapter focusing on a different area of clothing, and the vastly different history that accompanies each item. Some of the stories here are utterly fascinating, some rather upsetting, and some surprisingly moving – not what you would expect from a history of clothes ... You'll come away far more knowledgeable, and have a different viewpoint next time you open the wardrobe. * Bookbag *An enjoyable and easily accessible read to anyone who has an interest in the history of clothing, or history in general. * Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine *The commentary is cogent and wise... detailed and absorbing * TLS *Fascinating * S Magazine, Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisBy the sixth century of the common era the Roman Empire already had many hundreds of years of accumulated ceremonial embedded in its government, and practical science embodied in its army. The transition from Republic to Imperium and the more hierarchical structure that entailed, and the absorption of Christianity into state processes, had pushed the development of court ceremonial apace, and particularly driven its embodiment and display in ever more opulent regalia. The regalia embraced not only garments of distinctive form and decoration, but also both dress and non-dress accessories. It was crucial in displaying rank and function on an everyday basis, yet was also varied considerably for special occasions. Military dress largely reflected forms current amongst ordinary men, but with an emphasis on functionality, eschewing the excesses of fashion. Detailed literary and artistic sources, archaeology and insights derived from reconstruction and practical experience has gone into creating an incredibly lavish picture of the clothing of the longest-enduring political entity in history.

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Book SynopsisA powerful exposé of Parisian haute couture Book of the Week, Times Higher EducationFashion is one of the most powerful industries in the world, accounting for 6% of global consumption and growing steadily. Since the 1980s and the birth of the neoliberal economy, it has emerged as the glittering face of capitalism, bringing together prestige, power and beauty and occupying a central place in media and consumer fantasies. Yet the fashion industry, which claims to offer highly desirable job opportunities, relies significantly on job instability, not just in outsourced garment production but at the very heart of its creative production of luxury.Based on an in-depth investigation involving stylists, models, designers, hairdressers, make-up artists, photographers and interns, anthropologist Giulia Mensitieri goes behind fashion's glamorous facade to explore the lived realities of working in the industry. This challenging book lays bare the working conditions of the most beautiful jTrade Review[The book's] arguments are compelling. Mensitieri skilfully shows how fashion thrives on its own image of inaccessible glamour: not just selling aspirational fantasy via luxury goods, but also taking advantage of those who produce and help to sell these goods by making them feel “lucky to be here” in this world of dream-making. * British Vogue *Mensitieri’s book is a meticulously researched ethnographic study of the immaterial production of fashion … Although fashion is its main focus, Mensitieri’s book also cleverly turns its critical lens on other fields of supposedly creative endeavour – including academia – where a similarly precarious workforce props up an industry based on constant flexibility, blurred boundaries between work and life, and the promise of a fulfilling career. It is no wonder that it has troubled the French fashion industry. It should. * Times Higher Education *A fascinating insiders’ account of fashion. * Stylist *Expose[s] a culture of exploitation across the industry. * Vogue Business *It’s no secret that the fashion world is only beautiful from a distance. [This book] provides substance and critical context to the truism. The findings are rivetingly awful … Mensitieri’s academic approach and deeper analysis stop the book from simply being a scathing tell-all or a cheap dig at terrible people who have no self-awareness. The point she makes in her wider analysis can just as easily be applied to most of the jobs across all the arts, media and culture sectors. * Bidisha, British broadcaster, critic and journalist *Studded with lucid and chilling vignettes that will stick in your memory, Mensitieri’s book is a remarkable analysis of how creative capitalism persuades people to work for nothing in the glamor industry, and why their poverty is anything but passionate. * Andrew Ross, New York University, USA *A riveting and revelatory expose, The Most Beautiful Job takes us behind-the-scenes of fashion’s phantasmagoria to highlight the precarious, oft-exploited workforce propelling the fashion industry. Mensitieri is a deft researcher, masterful storyteller, and astute critic of contemporary capitalism. Her account is a must-read for anyone interested in the harsh realities of the creative economy. * Brooke Erin Duffy, Cornell University, USA *Marshalling interviews, observations, and history, Mensitieri’s portrayal of the underbelly of Parisian fashion labor delivers a devastating critique of the brutal exploitation behind some of the world’s biggest fashion houses; this is a bold critique of creative jobs under late capitalism. * Ashley Mears, Boston University, USA *Table of ContentsPreface Fashion and the dream Introduction Part I: Fashion and Capitalism: a system for producing the dream 1. Fabricating desire: press and advertising 2. Haute couture, the apotheosis of the dream 3. The circulation of the dream: fashion and globalization Part II: Working in Fashion or “lucky to be there” 4. On the threshold of the dream: the salespeople 5. The greater the prestige, the lower the pay: the rules of the game for fashion workers 6. Prestige and precariousness: symbolic and material geographies 7. At the heart of the dream: the designer-stylists Part III: The dream and those who work in it 8. At work with an up-and-coming fashion designer 9. Knowing how to “be there”: work relationships 10. Getting into fashion, creating a persona, coping in fashion, getting out of fashion Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThe iconic dress that has stood the test of time.Contemporary yet classic, the little black dress never goes out of style. Popularized by Coco Chanel in the 1920s, the style freed women from the corset and became the epitome of liberation. Dubbed the 'Ford of fashion' by American Vogue, it was simple, stylish and affordable – 'the frock that all the world will wear'.Tracing the fascinating evolution of the LBD, from Audrey Hepburn's sleek Givenchy sheath in Breakfast at Tiffany's or Princess Diana's rebellious 'revenge dress' right through to the mesh detailing and body-sculpting shapes of recent years, this little book is a celebration of one of fashion's most iconic garments.'One is never under dressed or over dressed with a little black dress.' Karl Lagerfield'A little black dress is something to rely on. To fill you with confidence and ease. To have an attitude that is pure and effortless, yet sexy and classy.' Stella McCartney'The little black dress must be luxurious, rich, sensual, diaphanous, exotic, severe, lush, demure, demanding, frivolous, amusing, and it must linger in memory, but above all, it must be simple and little and black.' Carolina HerreraTable of ContentsLady in Black • The Birth of the LBD • The Ford of Fashion • Famous Frocks • Dressed Up or Down • Timeless Glamour.

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