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Dressing the Celtic Soul
Dressing the Celtic Soul, by Linda and Rosemary Cooper, T.C.R.G. of Craggane Designs Irish Dance Dresses, is a breathtaking new look at the artistry of solo dresses stripped of their usual competitive setting and reimagined in lush photographic visions of myth, tradition and fantasy. Conceived and created by the mother-daughter team and captured by highly acclaimed artists such as Bella Kotak, the compendium reflects over ten years of designs and four years of world travel to situate the costumes often exactly from whence their stories came. Framing the garments within depictions of grove, ocean, cliff, bower, castle, or cloister, the powerful symbols of the Celtic world and far off dreamscapes are enlivened as a paean to that rich history. Creatively chosen old and new literature accompanies the images and enmeshes further the capacity for artistry that Irish dance dresses hold as timeless canvases taking flight in leaps and bounds.
121 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 1, 2019
This initial review of Dressing the Celtic Soul by Rosemary Cooper and Linda Perry Cooper is based on a short electronic version. I will write in greater detail and, if the rest is anything like the beginning of the book, increase my rating once I receive the full copy.
Even in just the first pages, which is largely taken up with the usual front-of-book information, the reader is swept up in both the beautiful photography and the wonderful verse interludes. The dresses are amazing in their detail while retaining a connection to nature, from whence most of the inspiration came. I would love to see the physical version but in the electronic version the ability to zoom in allows you to see the detail work very well.
The strength of the book, based on the preview, is that it is an overall experience rather than simply a book of photographs of dresses. The photos are taken in lush environments, they range from close-ups to see detail to medium distance to get the full effect. The explanatory text highlights what a season or holiday represents while the verses complement both the photographs/dresses and the explanatory text.
I hope to give some better commentary when I see the full text but I think this will appeal to a wide range of readers. Certainly those who might see these dress designs as inspiration for their own dance or festival wear will enjoy it, but those who like photography where people and nature are juxtaposed within a larger conceptual framework will also find a lot to like. I particularly enjoyed reading the verse and explanatory text with the photographs as a contextualizing element for me. Plus, if it looks as good physically as it does electronically, it will make a beautiful coffee table book.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. #DressingTheCelticSoul
Even in just the first pages, which is largely taken up with the usual front-of-book information, the reader is swept up in both the beautiful photography and the wonderful verse interludes. The dresses are amazing in their detail while retaining a connection to nature, from whence most of the inspiration came. I would love to see the physical version but in the electronic version the ability to zoom in allows you to see the detail work very well.
The strength of the book, based on the preview, is that it is an overall experience rather than simply a book of photographs of dresses. The photos are taken in lush environments, they range from close-ups to see detail to medium distance to get the full effect. The explanatory text highlights what a season or holiday represents while the verses complement both the photographs/dresses and the explanatory text.
I hope to give some better commentary when I see the full text but I think this will appeal to a wide range of readers. Certainly those who might see these dress designs as inspiration for their own dance or festival wear will enjoy it, but those who like photography where people and nature are juxtaposed within a larger conceptual framework will also find a lot to like. I particularly enjoyed reading the verse and explanatory text with the photographs as a contextualizing element for me. Plus, if it looks as good physically as it does electronically, it will make a beautiful coffee table book.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. #DressingTheCelticSoul
September 14, 2019
Dressing the Celtic Soul is a book by Linda Berry Cooper and Rosemary Cooper. It's a beautiful photo book showcasing Celtic fashion. Now, I'm new to this reviewing gig. It's something I've started as a way to get back into reading more. When I found this on Netgalley, I took a chance and applied. I got accepted. Smith Publicity emailed me, and they said if I wanted a proper review copy, to email them back. So, I did, and I got this gorgeous book in the mail. (Thank you a ton for this chance! Andrea Thatcher was wonderful to speak to!)
Now, on to the book. What interested me is that the characters I write have origins in the Celtic heritages. I was happy to see the way that the collection had been broken up throughout the book, into sections referencing things in nature. There are stories, poems, fairy tales, and quotes for each section and season. Each tale was paired wonderfully with a photograph, showing off a beautifully designed dress.
I also adored how they spoke of the Irish dancing, and how they wanted to make costumes for the dancers that blended both the historical background and modern touches. They succeeded. This is a gorgeous book. Perfect for anyone that has a love of the Celtic heritage, and especially, if you know someone that partakes in Irish dancing.
Now, on to the book. What interested me is that the characters I write have origins in the Celtic heritages. I was happy to see the way that the collection had been broken up throughout the book, into sections referencing things in nature. There are stories, poems, fairy tales, and quotes for each section and season. Each tale was paired wonderfully with a photograph, showing off a beautifully designed dress.
I also adored how they spoke of the Irish dancing, and how they wanted to make costumes for the dancers that blended both the historical background and modern touches. They succeeded. This is a gorgeous book. Perfect for anyone that has a love of the Celtic heritage, and especially, if you know someone that partakes in Irish dancing.
September 12, 2019
Thank you Netgalley for my review copy.
Having been brought up in a half Irish household, I did Irish dancing as a child and into my teens. The dresses were the most beautiful I had ever seen so I was looking forward to seeing some more.
I was disappointed. Although the verse and localised notes of celtic times were lovely, the pictures were a let down as they tended to focus on the ladies wearing the outfits rather than the dresses.
However, I was only given a snippet of the book so maybe the rest are more focused on the stitching and design of the dresses. Overall though it has not tempted me to look at the whole book
Having been brought up in a half Irish household, I did Irish dancing as a child and into my teens. The dresses were the most beautiful I had ever seen so I was looking forward to seeing some more.
I was disappointed. Although the verse and localised notes of celtic times were lovely, the pictures were a let down as they tended to focus on the ladies wearing the outfits rather than the dresses.
However, I was only given a snippet of the book so maybe the rest are more focused on the stitching and design of the dresses. Overall though it has not tempted me to look at the whole book
March 26, 2021
Absolutely gorgeous-looking costumes! I would love to wear one but they do look a bit itchy. Love the Celtic-inspired aesthetic.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews