This engaging and well-informed book demystifies and celebrates avant-garde clothing of the past century. Author Marnie Fogg explains how figures such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Jean Paul Gaultier challenged convention and precedent in ways that have both provoked and influenced their successors. Stunning, colorful images of 100 groundbreaking garments accompany engaging and enlightening commentary that explores the reasons for designing clothing that might not really fit, provide warmth or coverage, or even make its wearers more attractive.