Amy De La Haye

Valerie D. Mendes

Legendary British-born designer Charles Frederick Worth (1825-1895), with enormous talent for design and promotion, built his fashion house into an empire during the last quarter of the 19th century--the first busi­ness of its kind with global reach. His company, through his heirs, endured until 1952, when his great-grandson retired. Profusely illustrated, this astonishing book explores Worth’s success in the realm of haute couture after 1890. Hundreds of photographs selected from the V&A’s unique archive of more than 7,000 official house records capture the Worth style and offer valuable insights into the daily routine at Maison Worth in Paris. Images and text tell the intriguing story of these creations, providing historical context and describing Worth’s inter­national clientele of elegant women of wealth and power.

Portrait of an Archive 1890-1914

The House of Worth

Black in Fashion by Valerie Mendes provides the answer and is the perfect reading companion for anyone who values their special party dress. It is a pure celebration of this ever-present fashion phenomenon, and the perfect gift that every woman would love to own. From the feather-light pleats of Fortuny early last century to the deconstructed creations of Comme des Gar ons - black has inspired designers all over the world. If you are a fashion connoisseur you will be seduced by the lure of couture names and fascinated by this evolutionary account. Valerie's lively commentary explodes a number of myths and puts key developments into context. It is complimented by absolutely stunning, specially commissioned, photographs and stylish page layouts. Dress it up, dress it down, the little black dress is one fashion essential that will never go away.

Black in Fashion

Claire Wilcox

Oriole Cullen

Jenny Lister

Sonnet Stanfill

Revealing the elaborate embroidery, intricate pleats and daring cuts that make up some of the 20th century's most beautiful garments, this book explores the specific techniques used by couturiers as tastes and textile technologies evolved. Work by designers such as Mariano Fortuny, Madeleine Vionnet, Paul Poiret, Hubert de Givenchy, Mary Quant, Yves Saint Laurent and Vivienne Westwood is rediscovered, and exquisite haute-couture pieces, from sequinned Chanel trouser suits and richly embroidered Schiaparelli jackets to striking Balenciaga creations and Dior evening gowns, are examined. Part of the 'Fashion in Detail' series, this updated edition features a revised introduction and list of designers followed by chapters dedicated to a particular technique. Each garment is illustrated through detailed photography and line drawings and is accompanied by a commentary by leading experts in textiles and fashion.

20th-Century Fashion in Detail

Jonathan Miller

National Gallery (Great Britain)

How can we tell the difference between a reflection and the real thing? How does a reflection betray its identity? Why is it that when we look at a mirror we can see either our reflection or the mirror but not both at the same time? How and when do we learn to recognise our own reflection? What does a reflective surface look like and how can we distinguish it from a non-reflective surface? Why is it that certain paintings may be turned upside down and still be visually acceptable? How are the various qualities of reflection represented in art - from the diffuse sheen of burnished copper to the realism of silvered glass? In this innovative book, published to accompany the exhibition Mirror Image at the National Gallery, London, Jonathan Miller discusses these puzzling questions and investigates the pictorial representation of reflection - 'sheen, shine, glimmer and gleam' - through a wonderfully varied selection of paintings and photographs, covering nine centuries, drawn from the National Gallery and other international collections.

Valerie D. Mendes

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