But as I promised, today I will talk about my absolute #1 favourite source of inspiration and love. Books.
I can't get enough of them. Seriously.
I am an absolute book worm, always have been.
Now, if you're thinking "OMG! I HATE reading!" don't fret! These books I'll show you are mostly just picture books. (Gotta love Taschen!)
If there was only one thing I could teach you with this post, it would have to be: Know your background, know your history!
Learning how things first started is essencial if you want to create something new. You have to understand how it all began to be able to develop it further!
With that said, most of the books in my list are books that show us the history of fashion.
I took the time to seperate a few of them that I think you should go running to the book shop to buy them now. And I mean NOW!
From left to right: Fashion Design 1800-1940, La Moda del Siglo XIX en Detalle, Chanel and Her World, 1000 Dessous, Fashion Illustrator, and A random Thierry Mugler book from a brazilian collection (you'll understand why a "random book" is on the list later)
And Century Girl! I absolutely heart this book. Oops cuz I forgot to include it in the original pile of books. But its huge anyway, so I guess it looks better on it's own.
Now for a closer look at each book, just so you can see why they are all so inspiring!
I suggest clicking on the pictures for a larger view and have also linked the amazon page where you can buy them!
Book numero uno:
Fashion Design 1800-1940 (Pepin Press Design Books)
First I must start off saying that my favorite decade of all time (fashion wise) is the 20's. I also adore historic clothing like midieval and victorian. Any one who shares those tastes will also think this book is absolutely amazing for references. It only has a very brief text introduction and the rest is illustrations! The title is pretty self-explanatory but what I find amazing is that it ranges from women's wear, to men's wear, to children's wear, along with accessories and undergarments. A must have for history junkies.
Number 2:
Mine is the Spanish edition (for some reason I do not know of)
La Moda del Siglo XIX En Detalle (Spanish Edition)
But you can get it in english here:
Nineteenth Century Fashion in Detail
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This book is pretty self explanatory as well but it's even better than having just illustrations. They're pictures of actual clothing from the 19th century. Not reproductions! Originals! I'm not sure if this is all from a museum or a private collection. There's lots of explanatory texts, which I find really cool, but haven't read because mine's in spanish (still don't know why) and eplanatory illustration. Great for people who actualy make garments.
Book numéro trois:
Chanel and Her World
Ok. Stop everything. EVERYTHING. Still breathing? Then you didn't stop enough! This is one of THE best books of all times. Okay, okay, maaaybe you might have noticed that I like Chanel too much for my own good and just maybe my opinion will be biased on this, but trust me: this book is awsome. I don't think I even have to elaborate further. The awsomeness speaks for itself. (Oh yeah, this is a heavy reading book with heavy amounts of pictures as well ;] )
#4
Dessous (25th Anniversary Special Edtn)
I'm linking to the anniversary edition because it is more reasonably priced
I don't know about you, but I love corsets and everything about them. Okay, maybe not the part about them deforming your inner organs, but you get the idea. This book has illustrations as well as pictures and shows litteraly a history of lingerie. I would have to say it is a book for 18+ because of the more "modern" pictures that show, well, pretty much everything. But this is a great little book that is worth having.
Numero cinco
Fashion Illustrator: Drawing and Presentation for the Fashion Designer (Abrams Studio)
This book is great for covering your basics. It talks about drawing theory, color theory, materials to use, etc. But the good thing about it is that it also covers very specific aspects of drawing that only apply to fashion designers. It also has a showcase of 34 fashion illustrators with mini interviews with each one and examples of their work. It also has a chapter just for tutorials for traditional and digital art.
Now for the "random" one
I actualy will not be recomending any specific book here. This aplies for any little book about just one designer. They are usualy very cheap and a great source of visual references, from sketches of the artist, to runways, to photoshoots. You may sometimes even get to see the brainstorm behind an outfit or a collection, which is always great. So be on the lookout for them!
And last but most definately not least!
This book is a joy from start to finish. It looks like one big collage made out of fun stories and fabulous costumes. It is about the 20's and the wonders of it's stage performances, but most specificaly about Doris Eaton, who may have been the youngest Ziegfeld Follie. This book is just visualy amazing! It has a really special place in my heart.
On a side note:
Here is a video of Doris eaton giving a speech at the 24th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition on Broadway this year. She was 106 years old! Can you believe it?!
I actualy cried when I watched this.
She died May of this year. May she rest in peace. Here is a link to the article of the NY Times that tells much about her life
I cried reading that too, but because I only found out today, while writing this blog post, that she had passed away.
Leaving my tears aside, I'd love to recieve reviews on other books you might have to recommend! I'm always hunting for new ones at the book store, so some tips might come in handy!
Until next time
=]
*-* LOVELY
ReplyDeleteAww! I'm glad you like it. <3
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