Recommended Reading
These books are chosen as the best for:
Fashiondex Reading Materials . . .
The Fashion Bookstore . . .
- Sources of Inspiration
- The Industry: resources to the understanding and the daily practices within the fashion industry
- Expansion of Knowledge and Skill Sets
- and such and so forth . . .
Fashiondex Reading Materials . . .
The Fashion Bookstore . . .
FASHION MAGAZINES . . .
The History, Industry & Business
Survey of Historic Costume
"In the Preface of the 5th Edition of Survey of Historic Costume, Tortora and Eubank conclude with the following: In the history of dress at the beginning of the 21st century, costume might be compared to a constantly moving river. This river divides into many narrower channels that separate, cross, come together, and separate again, and yet that river continually moves on. Building on the previous editions, the authors update their analysis of Western dress to 2008. With each new edition some elements of the title change. And those changes provide an opportunity to focus on some aspect that adds to the usefulness of this best seller. Survey of Historic Costume has, from its beginnings, taken seriously the need to accompany the text with appropriate illustrations and the major change in the 5th Edition is the move to full color throughout the book to enrich the text and the concepts. Perfect for anyone interested in historic costume, fashion, textiles, drama, and design, this beautifully illustrated book is full of interesting facts and commentary."
Fashion (Taschen 25th Anniversary)
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Fashion from Concept to Consumer
It covers everything essential to understanding and entering into the fashion industry:
Perry's Department Store - An Importing Simulation
"Perry s Department Store: An Importing Simulation emphasizes the importance of conducting
business in today s global arena. Learn about the dynamics of the international marketplace by assuming the role of a retail buyer importing jeans into the United States. The import process is divided into eight steps: profiling suitable countries for export, developing sourcing strategies, recognizing differences in working across cultures, understanding the policies and laws governing importing, classifying imported product, financing the import purchase, determining shipping procedures for imports, and completing the entry process. A CD-ROM is included and provides resources and worksheets the simulation." The Fashion Designer Survival Guide
"Mary Gehlhar, author, industry authority, and consultant to hundreds of designers, including Zac Posen, Twinkle by Wenlan, Rebecca Taylor, and Cloak, gives readers behind-the-scenes insights and essential business information on creating and sustaining a successful career as an independent designer. With advice from fashion luminaries including Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Cynthia Rowley, Diane von Furstenberg, Richard Tyler, and top executives from Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York, this fully updated and revised edition of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide addresses the latest trends in apparel and accessories, the newest designers, an updated introduction, and a new foreword by Diane von Furstenberg, Designer and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
The Fashion Designer Survival Guide provides the necessary tools to get a fashion line or label up and moving on the right track, including:
Support & Seduction: A History of Corsets & Bras
"Throughout the ages, women's breasts have been subjected to the endless whims of fashion. From the ancient Greeks to Mae West and Madonna, this light-hearted book charts the changing shapes of female beauty. The elegant and amusing images - including fashion drawings, paintings, photographs, and film stills - illustrate the often surprising history of the garments women have worn for support - and seduction."
20th Century Fashion
"A detailed history and sourcebook of 20th-century fashion. From the styles of the early 1900s to those of today, John Peacock charts the development of women's fashion in all its aspects: couture wear, day wear, under-wear, leisure wear, evening wear, bridal wear and accessories. Fashion's greatest international designers and designs are all found here: Worth's visiting dresses, Poiret's and Chanel's suits, Balenciaga's classic gowns, Dior's New Look, Mary Quant's mini-dresses; right up to designs from Vivienne Westwood, Christian Lacroix, Calvin Klein and many others. Photography could never capture so faithfully the dazzling variety of these designs. John Peacock's research has allowed him to reproduce in detail their lines, shapes, weaves, patterns and colours. Arranged by decade, the pictures are accompanied by descriptions of each garment and accessory, including fabric, cut and pattern. The reference section includes a time-chart summarizing the development of fashion and dress-shapes, biographies of couturiers and designers, and a bibliography. John Peacock was for several years senior costume designer for BBC Television and is now Head of Costume for BBC, Pebble Mill, Birmingham. He has also written "Fashion Sketchbook 1920-1960" (1977) and "Costume 1066-1966" (1986), both published by Thames and Hudson."
Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design
" From the lavish productions of Hollywood's Golden Age through the high-tech blockbusters of today, the most memorable movies all have one thing in common: they rely on the magical transformations rendered by the costume designer. Whether spectacular or subtle, elaborate or barely there, a movie costume must be more than merely a perfect fit. Each costume speaks a language all its own, communicating mood, personality, and setting, and propelling the action of the movie as much as a scripted line or synthetic clap of thunder. More than a few acting careers have been launched on the basis of an unforgettable costume, and many an era defined by the intuition of a costume designer—think curvy Mae West in I'm No Angel (Travis Banton, costume designer), Judy Garland in A Star is Born (Jean Louis and Irene Sharaff, costume designers), Diane Keaton in Annie Hall (Ruth Morley, costume designer), or Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (Deborah Nadoolman Landis, costume designer).
In Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design, Academy Award-nominated costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis showcases one hundred years of Hollywood's most tantalizing costumes and the characters they helped bring to life. Drawing on years of extraordinary research, Landis has uncovered both a treasure trove of costume sketches and photographs—many of them previously unpublished—and a dazzling array of first-person anecdotes that inform and enhance the images. Along the way she also provides and eye-opening, behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the costume designer's art, from its emergence as a key element of cinematic collaboration to its limitless future in the era of CGI. A lavish tribute that mingles words and images of equal luster, Dressed is one book no film and fashion lover should be without. " |
Expansion of Knowledge and Skill Sets
Fashion Illustration & Art
9 Heads - A Guide to Fashion Drawing
"This new detailed guide to learning the skills and techniques of drawing modern fashion and figure is also a rich reference source for a broad range of modern garments and accessories. Extensively illustrated, this introduction teaches by example, the power of drawing as a means of communication and expression and strives to show students how to perceive things in order to be able to draw them correctly. The first section is dedicated to drawing the human figure, while the second portion deals with how to draw a wide range of modern garments and accessories and the types of techniques used to render them convincingly and elegantly in different fabric designs and textures. This volume offers a complete presentation of proportions of the croquis, draping the figure, accessories, flats, and features an encyclopedia of details, how to draw textiles and real clothes, the art of illustration, and computers and fashion drawing. For designers, fashion professionals, teachers and students of fashion."
Fashion Design Portfolio
"A beautiful sketch reveals your imagination to the world! Whether you're a fashionista who craves a more hands-on style, or an aspiring artist ready to expand your skills, this book will introduce you to the glamorous art of fashion illustration.
Develop your style by copying the designs in the book or draw inspiration from these illustrations to create your own totally unique fashions! Use the drawing pad at the back of the book to sketch a new style or jot down a cool idea, and store your designs, swatches and photos in the portfolio pockets. With this complete sourcebook, you'll have everything you need to start designing a runaway-ready collection that is all your own!" * Store and Organize Inspiration Magazine Clippings and Sketches* Computer-Aided Flat Sketching for the Fashion Industry ( via Milo.com)
"Creative approach to drawing garments using specific tools from Adobe Illustrator. It produces the general concepts of Flat Sketching Design."
* Not many bookstores online show the cover, be sure that the price is $45, or on sale from that original price. Also be sure to check the following match: ISBN-13: 9780964719675 ISBN: 0964719673* |
Fashion Illustration - Figure Drawing
"This book will help you to master the key elements in illustrating the human body and the shapes of clothing so that you can visualize your own fashion designs. Who knows, they might end up on the catwalk or in a store window.
Among the areas explored in this book are the anatomical proportions, the displacement of body weight with various movements, and the most appropriate angles of view for highlighting particular features of clothing - all of these being key elements of the language of fashion sketches. The author also considers the volume and hang of different types of cloth. The seams, finishes, and details of manufacture, such as sleeves or collars, come in countless variations and it is all the more important to draw them in a way that is correct and consistent with each pose. All these aspects are brought together in more than 350 illustrations, making this manual an indispensable tool for all those entering the world of fashion." *Great reference material to coming up with new croquis* Fashion Illustration - Flat Drawing
"The technique of flat drawing for the illustration of garments allows the outlining and visualizing of patterns for all types of clothes. It is a basic method of design and an easy way to represent your own creations. The many examples collected in this book will help you develop a skill in this discipline and will be an inspiration for your own creative ideas."
Complete Guide to Size Specification Technical Design
"With the growth of private labels in recent years, the demand for industry technicians to measure garments and generate spec sheets has never been greater. The Second Edition of this guide equips students with everything they need to know about measuring sample garments, creating fully-graded spec sheets, and fitting garments for production. Over 450 technical flats are clearly labeled with measurement points and instructions for taking measurements. New sections on men s wear expand upon the already comprehensive coverage of knit and woven women s wear. As the industry has become more computerized, the Second Edition includes current coverage of modern equipment and technology used in apparel specification. This book is also ideal for industry professionals working without a comprehensive spec manual."
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Digital Media
From Pencil to Pen Tool
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Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe Photoshop Elements
Express yourself on a digital canvas
Imagine flying through an inky night sky tethered to a red, heart-shaped balloon. Now imagine expressing that dream artistically. With Digital Expressions you can take ordinary photos and, with the help of Adobe Photoshop Elements, voice your flights of fancy. Digital Expressions guides you through 25 digital art projects created with Adobe Photoshop Elements. With this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll get inspired to tackle all kinds of digital mixed-media techniques using stock photography, custom brushes, textured backgrounds and your own digital photos. Use your digital palette to: · Manipulate single images by adding texture layers, color fills and text · Re-create the look of traditional art like drawings and abstract paintings · Build collages using transparent layers and photo filters · Blend seamless montages with various effects · Incorporate your own traditional art into digital works **Bonus CD includes assorted brushes, photos and textures you can use to create on your own digital canvas.** Mixed-media artists, art journalers and scrapbookers alike can turn the ordinary into extraordinary! Express yourself in digital form as you learn to master creative digital art techniques. |
Textiles & Garment Construction
The Art of Manipulating Fabric - Colette Wolff
"Those who knit, crochet, or embroider have long had sources to which to turn for in-depth instructions on specific stitches and stitch combinations. Now there is such a reference for the sewer--an encyclopedic approach to gathering, shirring, ruffling, tucking, pleating, and quilting and their myriad variations. Filled with hundreds of diagrams and crisp black-and-white photos, this volume explains in detail how to achieve a tremendous range of three-dimensional fabric effects. This is not a book of particular projects; this is a book of instruction and inspiration for anyone who has ever wielded needle and thread. --Amy Handy"
This is the bible for any designer or seamstress, not only do you learn a vast array of highly advanced techniques that could be comparable to those techniques used by Haute Couture and Atelier Houses, but it gives one the option of adding texture to their designs, at present it is an essential in the competitive market and anything that requires hand sewing only adds value to the garment and the level of design one is in competition : budget < moderate < contemporary < better / bridge < designer < couture. Fabric Fusing
"It’s the latest and hottest idea in embroidery today, expanding the reach of textile art: the use of a soldering iron to cut, bond, and etch fabric. And Margaret Beal is the pioneer of the practice. For the first time, she gathers her expertise in book form, with photographs showing finished pieces and diagrams and drawings illustrating the process. All the principal techniques are thoroughly explained, from choosing and cutting fabric to using three-dimensional materials. Appliqué, reverse appliqué, shadow work, piercing, weaving, and bead making all receive in-depth coverage. Projects range from a pocket mirror to a variety of brooches."
Hot Textiles
"Textile artists will find this unique guide—which follows up on the bestselling Fusing Fabrics—a superbly practical and inspirational introduction to a truly “hot” topic! With detailed instructions, beautiful photography, and health and safety advice, it explains how such equipment as soldering irons, heat guns, and even household irons can add stunning levels of texture and variety to all types of fabrics. The range of techniques covered is amazing: hot and cold foiling, painted and plain Bondaweb (fusible webbing), bead making from synthetics, three-dimensional work, embossing powders, and so much more. There are even ideas for melting and distorting plastic bags and cellophane, and for using a combination of tools and fabrics to create various layers on a single piece."
From Image to Stitch
"One of the world’s leading textile artists introduces hobbyists and professionals alike to exciting new digital methods for designing and creating stitched artworks. For example, starting with a photograph taken with a digital camera, this idea-packed book shows how to use a popular computer paint program to turn it into a striking abstract design, which can then be transferred to fabric with an inkjet printer and embellished with stitching, felting, and other crafts. Complete with instructions for using innovative products such as InkAID and Shrinky Plastic, and lists of sources for copyright-free designs, the book provides a rich menu of techniques and effects. Large color photos showing both the design processes and the successful finished works offer instruction and inspiration."
Layered, Tattered & Stitched
"The step-by-step instructions found in Layered, Tattered and Stitched will provide you with the inspiration and techniques in order to create fabric-art with incredible depth and personal significance. Throughout the book, the author uses a mixture of atypical sewing techniques such as trapping found objects between layers, stitching and quilting paper and creating windows in fabric along with mixed-media techniques that include transferring photos, staining fabric, and more to create magnificent works of art. Expand your creative process, using such things as poetry and symbolic objects for inspiration."
Paper, Metal and Stitched
"This timely project guide concentrates on two of the key materials being newly incorporated into textiles and fiber arts—paper and metal. Both media are covered in separate sections that describe the unique properties of each, as well as textural methods, adding color, and embellishing with stitches. Paper can be molded, formed, cut, torn, embossed, and stitched; metal adds a new gleam; and additional dimensions of the material are explored with soft sheet metals, meshes, wires, and coils. Concepts build through each section, starting with elemental embroidery and basic, texture-building steps, and moving to exciting finishing ideas for combining and mixing techniques for original and innovative results."
Beading on Fabric
"Textile or fiber artisans can add sparkle and texture to their work with this complete handbook to embellishing with beads. Beginning with a comprehensive look at tools and materials—covering all types of fabrics, threads, needles, and beads—the guide teaches stitches, edging, and fringe, as well as the proper care of beaded fabrics. The focus on technique allows crafters to easily integrate beaded enhancements into any type of existing project, and the experienced instruction covers bead choice, color schemes, and finishing methods for a polished look. With its clear directions and a gallery of sample projects, this workshop-ready book will instruct and inspire."
Bead & Sequin Embroidery Stitches
"Bead and sequin embroidery stitches give any garment or fabric accessory added glamour and pizzazz. Sparkling full-color photos and diagrams guide you through the basic stitches for this beautiful technique, including running, satin, and daisy petal stitches. There are more advanced procedures, too, such as making looped fringes, tassels, rosette motifs, and cut-outs to appliqué on any item. Full-size templates enable you to recreate a dozen stunning designs, including a starburst, a heart with pattern, and a variety of flowers. A gallery of spectacular pieces and numerous handy tips help you make the most of this rewarding craft."
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Singer 101 Sewing Secrets
"The best tip is for copying ready-made garments. There are also some great tips for cleaning stains from fabrics and sewing without pins. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and easy to understand. The book is well worth the money."
Reader's Digest: The New Complete Guide to Sewing
"The ultimate stitch-and-seam reference book for both beginners and seasoned sewers includes thousands of illustrations and diagrams for each stage of the sewing process. In this updated edition, sewers will find:
Textiles - Complete Contemporary Craft
"This bumper book covers five popular textile crafts - knitting, crochet, quilting, felt-making and weaving. The basic techniques of each craft are clearly explained and accompanied by clear, step-by-step photographs. A wide range of projects are offered, including clothing, homewares and accessories. This book will provide plenty of stimulate and challenge both novice and experienced craftspeople."
Fabric Science Swatch Kit
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fiber type, yarn type, woven/knit type, dye/print type, finishes,
and end use • Key to Fabric Swatches that identify the swatches by number, fabric description, purpose of swatch, and fiber content • Exercises that reinforce the assignments • Sturdy, lightweight plastic ring binder that makes for easier storage and access and organizes assignments and mounted swatches
• Shift of textile production from industrial to developing countries and the redefinition of the role of the United States in international production • Coverage of international trade, textile laws and regulations, as well as fabric specifications for quality assurance • Analysis of fabrics, tables, and procedures for converting to and from textile metric measurements and for textile performance testing • Study questions and assignments • Ring-binder format for inserting new information • Instructor's Guide includes procedures and answers for lab assignments, and a Fabric Specification Table containing fabric, fiber content, yarn type, weave or knit type, construction, weight, width, and method of coloring. It also includes information on how to use the swatch kit with the Fabric Science, 8th Edition, textbook. • PowerPoint Presentation contains slides of front and back views of each swatch, as well as swatch number, purpose, description, and fiber content. There is also a magnifying view option." Textiles: Concepts and Principles
"Intended for undergraduate programs of colleges and universities that focus on fashion merchandising, fashion design, and interior design, Textiles: Concepts and Principles, 2nd Edition, provides a thorough approach to the fundamentals of textiles. The book is most useful for freshman and sophomore level students of fashion merchandising, fashion design, and interior design. Written clearly and concisely, it focuses on comprehension of the interrelationship between the components of textiles to help students understand and predict textile properties and performance."
Ribbon Embroidery & Stumpwork
"Not your traditional stumpwork book and not for the beginner. The cover details the entire book. It's one project - which can be ordered separately as a kit from South Africa or use the diagrams contained in the back of the book. There are great instructions and different methods on how to reproduce the picture and transfer it to fabric. The photos and colours are very clear and they even give you photos of the threads used so you can match them to colours you can get although I understand that her hand painted threads and ribbons are marketed worldwide."
Silk Painting for Fashion & Fine Art
" In addition to demonstrating the various techniques for dye painting on silk with clear instruction and inspirational photographs, this book gives professional design direction and guidelines for creating original fashions and accessories such as ties and scarves. You will be introduced to great ideas for utilizing your hand painted pieces for home furnishings. Also included is a great section on how to frame your silk paintings for display."
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Fabric Painting
"While this book may be too much for the beginner, it is an excellent guide for those who are intermediate or more experienced textile artists. It is an excellent, step-by-step guide to many different techniques of fabric painting. The authors provide clear, concise instructions and beautiful photos to guide you through each procedure. Tools and equipment are thoroughly described and listed with a list of mail order suppliers at the end of the book."
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Technical Skills
Pattern Making, Draping, etc; Manual & Digital
Pattern Making for Fashion Design
"Suitable for beginners and experienced patternmakers, this book's breadth of topics and detailed coverage allows students to grow as their skills progress. This edition features a new fashion and technical illustration programme that was revamped to reflect a more contemporary and culturally diverse look. A new chapter on childrenswear has been added to this edition. Other features include: fashion sketches and technical illustrations for every technique; menswear additions - basic techniques to fit the male form; a figure analysis chapter; intricate styles; tables and charts identifying measurements and other useful techniques."
"This quintessential guide to patternmaking offers comprehensive coverage, clear illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, providing users with all the relevant information necessary to create design patterns with accuracy regardless of their complexity. Covers the three steps in the development of design patterns—dart manipulation, added fullness, and contouring—with a central theme that all designs are based on one, or more of these three major patternmaking and design principles. Includes a fashion sketch for each project with an analysis of the design, and focuses on pattern plot and manipulation for developing the patterns. Illustrates several methods for knock-offs, and dedicates new sections on fitting corrections for the basic pattern set and the four pant foundation; menswear; patternmaking for bias-cut garments; revised drafting instructions and standard measurement charts; how to modify the bodice to fit the different sizes of bust cups; constructed support for strapless designs, and more. Presents additional and more challenging design projects for the advanced reader. For dressmakers, home sewers, manufacturing companies, and professionals in fashion design and fashion merchandising." *According to an Instructor from Fashion Design at Fanshawe College, there are minor mistakes in the book* Pattern For Costume Accessories
"A collection of over 80 patterns for period and contemporary accessories. The headwear chapter includes 12 patterns from baseball caps to mob caps. There are 22 variations of neckwear. Also included are patterns for various hand-held accessories such as reticules and gauntlets. With complete instructions and illustrations of the finished pieces, you'll find a solution to almost any costume accessory need."
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Draping for Apparel Design
"This text combines step-by-step instructions illustrated to present the principles and
methods of draping. Author Helen Joseph-Armstrong incorporates three draping techniques manipulating dart excess, adding fullness, and contour draping in design projects featured throughout the text. Projects begin with a draping plan and fashion drawing to identify its creative elements, and determine the draping technique required. The author describes the drape of the basic dress and its relationship to every garment in a clothing collection, emphasizing the drape of foundation garments as a base to building more complex design." The Apparel Design & Production Handbook
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