Product Description

Clothes define people. A person's clothing, whether it's a sari, kimono, or business suit, is an essential key to his or her culture, class, personality, or even religion. The Kyoto Costume Institute recognizes the importance of understanding clothing sociologically, historically, and artistically. Founded in 1978, the KCI holds one of the world's most extensive clothing collections and has curated many exhibitions worldwide. With an emphasis on Western women's clothing, the KCI has amassed a wide range of historical garments, underwear, shoes, and fashion accessories dating from the 18th century to the present day. Showcasing a vast selection from the Institute's archives of skilled photographs depicting the clothing expertly displayed and arranged on custom-made mannequins, "Fashion History" is a fascinating excursion through the last three centuries of clothing trends. The KCI believes that "clothing is an essential manifestation of our very being" and their passion and dedication positively radiate from every page of this book. This special 25th anniversary edition has a chic new format: two volumes packaged in a slipcase.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11723 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Hardcover
• 720 pages

About the Author
Akiko Fukai (Chief Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Tamami Suoh (Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Miki Iwagami (Lecturer of fashion history at Sugino Fashion College (Tokyo)), Reiko Koga (Professor of fashion history at Bunka Women's University), and Rie Nii (Assistant Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute).

Customer Reviews

Glossy 'Coffee Table' Perfection
Two big heavy volumes! If like me you love to see full pictures and close ups of costumes from times gone by these volumes fit the bill. The costumes are on manequins and are more alive as a result. You get more of a feel for the size of the wearer. Page 168 Volume 1 is particularly good with a male manequin in coat and breeches with a female manequin in a dress and spencer. The comparison between the height and size is very real.And these are no 'ordinary' clothes either. They are the creme de la creme - the elite of the history and fashion world. Dive in and be amazed. Not cheap - but an investment

Stunning
As a costume designer I am always on the lookout for really good reference books, this has to rate as one of the best. Two large fully illustrated volumes for a bargain price. The photographs are glorious showing wonderful detail and the costumes are beautifully mounted, particularly in volume one, giving a real feel of how they must have looked when worn. My only criticism would be that in some eras, particularly in the twentieth century, Male costume is underepresented, however this is nearly always the case in costume books. I definately recommend this book to any lover of fashion, costume or beautiful things...truly scrumptious.

Complete lack of men's clothing.
If, like me, you work in men's vintage fashion, and you have high hopes for this book, here's a warning: STEER CLEAR OF IT.

Apart from several photographs regarding men's 18th Century fashion in the first volume, there is NOTHING on men's fashion whatsoever. As for the second volume, zero! No pictures at all regarding men's fashion throughout the whole of the 20th Century. A serious omission, even more so if you deal in men's clothing from the 1920's onwards.

I'm so disappointed with this that I'm sending it back two hours after receiving it.

PS: If you're interest is strictly in women's clothing, this book has some stunning pictures.