Costume and Fashion

by James Laver

From the momentus invention of the needle some 40,000 years ago to the development of blue denim, from Neolithic weavers to the biggest names in the fashion industry today this classic guide covers the landmarks of costume history, the forms and materials used through the ages, the underlying motives of fashion and the ways in which clothes have been used to protect, to express identity, and to attract or to influence others. This sixth edition features a new foreword and concluding chapter by Amy de la Haye. The book is brought right up to date with a discussion about the major political shifts within the fashion industry, highlighting how it has responded to issues surrounding racism and sexism; LGBTQI rights; mental health awareness; body and age diversity and global sustainability.

Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2020

About the author

James Laver, CBE, FRSA (March 14, 1899 - June 03, 1975) was an English author, critic, art historian, and museum curator.

Laver acted as Keeper of Prints, Drawings and Paintings for the Victoria and Albert Museum between 1938 and 1959. He was also an important and pioneering fashion historian described as "the man in England who made the study of costume respectable".

Reviews

[izzy]

good overview and snippets of fashion history. obviously cannot go in depth on millions of years of textile history - each chapter could be a three hundred page book. very western focused (england, france, and eventually america) but a fine introduction to fashion and culture influence throughout history

[Fee Lemmens]

Pretty good book for people interested in fashion and the (historical) context surrounding it.