101 Things I Learned in Fashion School

101 Things I Learned

by Alfredo Cabrera, Matthew Frederick

The world of the fashionista is brought to vivid life with 101 introductory lessons on such topics as how a designer anticipates cultural trends and "sees" the fashion consumer, the workings of the fashion calendar, the ways a designer collection is conceived, the manufacture of fabric, fashion illustration, and more.

Illustrated in the distinctly unique packaged style of the bestselling101 THINGS I LEARNED® IN ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL, this new book on fashion design will be a perfect book for any fashion school wannabe, a recent graduate, or even a seasoned professional.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Art, Business, Reference, Fashion Design, Sewing

212 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 2010

Reviews

[Angelc · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first opened this book, I thought, "Whoa, this is going to be all definitions of fabric weaves and official fashion terms, sounds boring." But then I got about 20 pages in, and I devoured the book in one sitting! Definitely not boring!

Each of the 101 tips had it's own page and an illustration on the opposite page. I liked how quirky quotes, fashion history, useable hints for shopping and dressing, and the aforementioned terms and definitions were all interspersed throughout the book. The diversity really made reading this one flow nicely and made me want to keep turning the pages.

I'm interested in sewing, and I found some really useful tips that I didn't know before, that I will definitely be using. I also learned the answer to some fun fashion questions:

Why do men's and women's shirts button up differently?
What makes jeans so sexy?
How do I mix patterns successfully?
How do I tie a necktie properly?

The price of this one is a little steep, but the book is itself is sturdy and of good quality. The book is small and would be a great gift.

I would recommend this book as a gift book for someone who is really interested in fashion, sewing, or even just a big shopper!


This book was provided to me for review by Hachette Books.


reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/

[Rase McCray]

This is great and more incisive and insightful than the book's length would imply. Further, the format, which favors only a sentence or three about each "thing" compensates for the lack of depth with evocation in spades--a task that is additionally buoyed with clever wordsmithing. There were many times that I was astounded at how the brevity of the content inspired the authors to achieve a crystalline clarity I've never seen before, and those moments make the book easy to recommend. It was definitely worth my time just for those handfuls of sheer brilliance.

That said, some of it feels like fluff. Occasionally, the "thing" is just a quote--a clever quote, perhaps even something that should be turned into a fridge magnet for easy reference. But even those quotes don't quite pull their weight, or at least don't measure up to the best tips of the bunch.

My favorite "thing" of all was #26, which gave a masterful overview of the 20th c. in women's fashion, and in fact history was a strong point throughout, such as "things" 33 and 34, which respectively give you a few sentences discussing why "conceptual design began at Hiroshima," and "before rock and roll, young people dressed like their parents."

A low point was thing 60, which in its entirety said,

"[Coco] Chanel has very little taste, all of it good. [Elsa] Schiaparelli has lots of taste, all of it bad." ~Cristobal Balenciaga.

That's a very "fun" quote and perhaps evocative, but I can't say I learned much from it. Maybe I could have gotten more insight if there were some sentences explaining it.

[Brian Leung · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the second time I read through it. It discussed the definition of fashion and the keys of creating a fashion garment. Really an 101 book.

[Ex Libris Meis]

Even though I graduated from Textile University, I didn’t know a lot of things from this book. I was glad I had the opportunity to learn about them.
“Blue jeans originally were equated with work: they were used by miners, prospectors, and laborers.
The feature of jeans that enabled them to enter the realm of fashion is a unique centre seam. It hugs the curves of the behind, and in men projects the crotch forward from where it would be in a conventional trouser.”
http://www.exlibrismeis.com/en/2019/0...

[Jiwon Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

These series are soo good, I can't get enough. Some of my favorite finds are: (1) conceptual design began at Hiroshima after atomic bombs were dropped during WW2, (2) black and white aren't simply black and white (texture, drape, and hand should be considered), (3) Good fashion is like freestanding sculpture: interesting from every angle.

Best quote: "A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad taste - it's hearty, it's healthy, it's physical. No taste is what I'm against." - Diana Vreeland

[Piyali Mukherjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really a coffee-table book on fashion design. I guess I learned some interesting things about posing for models or how cotton is not a fabric or how cross-grain weave is stretchier. Essentially, it was a palate-cleanser and I still think it was too small for it. I was reminded of Antoni Gaudi's principle that aesthetic is always secondary to function, and that if something is functional, then it has achieved aesthetic.

[K. Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a trail mix of technical information, quotes by fashion and design icons, and some righteous preaching on How To Design ("If it doesn't work on every size, it's not a good design."). The illustrations were very helpful and informative. As a layman, some of it went over my head but overall: quite enjoyable.

[Macie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book actually explains and goes through a lot of topics I would have never even thought of asking questions about. It is straight forward and is very organized. The little sketches and drawings on each page is very cute too❤️

[Kya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for an admirer of fashion, and a creative professional - favourite quote is "You shoes say who you are, and your hair or hat says how you want to be perceived."

[Izana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know anything about fashion, but I want to write a novel, which appears protagonist who studies in fashion school. This book gave me a basic knowledge.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly useful set of maxims that guide how one might think about design, fashion, and clothing.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative with minimalist designer drawings to accompany the text.

[rachel bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly handy book!

[I.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a cute patchwork, offering a little bit of everything about fashion. Pleasant to flip through.

[Nat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Esta bueno para entender generalidades. Igual que el de urbanismo, no son extensos ni llegan a conceptos muy interesantes.

[bethanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I won this book from Goodreads' Firstreads giveaways and I was really surprised that I got this book (as opposed to the books I entered for that were the Cooking School and Film School books), but I am glad that I got this book! This is part of a series called "101 Things I Learned...." in which 101 tidbits, facts, and lessons are presented from various trade schools. This one deals with fashion school. And for those who are hip to the designer labels and Project Runway would not be disappointed in the book.

If you ever wanted to be a fashion designer, a snappy dresser, or just wanted to learn some interesting bits about the world of fashion, this is the book for you. It's a very quick read, but it is so full of information about the fashion world (Did you know that designers have TWO seasons - fall and spring - of clothes as opposed of mass markets and their four seasons of fashion?) and it makes a great gift for recent fashion school graduates.

Since I have an art background, I appreciated the tidbits about sketching figures and choosing what mediums to use when sketching for fashion. It makes me wish that they did an "Art School" book, but a girl can dream, right? This was a fantastic little book and I enjoyed the little illustrations and the quotes made by industry mavens. It's a book I hope to pass down to my sister when she goes to school someday!

[Denise Link · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book has shelf appeal--I imagine it near the checkout at the bookstore or as part of a display in perhaps the gift shop of a museum of fashion. It's the kind of book someone might buy to give a high school graduate who plans to go to college or art school for fashion design.

Inside, the format of the book offers a line drawing on each left page and a paragraph or two of fashion school "wisdom" on the right. Things like "Rules for the traditional man's suit," with instructions about fabric, jacket, and trousers. Or a definition of grain, with explanations of straight, cross, and bias.

As someone with some fashion sense and home-sewing experience, although none whatsoever in design, this book didn't tell me anything new. Still, it's successful as a superficial introduction to the topic for a reader without much experience. I can imagine, for example, that something like 101 Things I Learned in Flight School or 101 Things I Learned in Plumbing School would offer me just the right level of knowledge on those topics to satisfy my curiosity and perhaps give me some vocabulary to use with professionals in those fields.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written for all the diva wannabe's out there. (Like me. Haha.) I don't know a thing about fashion. I like to see other people all decked out in the latest designs, but I am clueless as to what is designer and what is from Walmart. I found a lot of interesting information in this book and I am a couple steps closer to being a fashion queen. So watch out everyone, I'm about to be a star! If you're interested in learning about this topic, this is the perfect book to get you started.

[Violette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been so helpful... even if I just bought it last night. I was quite hesitant on buying a book with 202 pages. I bought it anyway though and I really hoped it was worth it. I only scanned through a few pages and they seemed useful and I had a limited allowance. I even asked my sister if I should buy it and she said yes. When I read it, I am sooooo happy I bought this. I just finished reading it. It's like a little handbook that I can always scan through whenever I work with practicing my designs.

[Ellin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a small book filled with tidbits about the fashion industry. I wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed it. It was a very quick read. Among the things I learned was that haute couture is protected by French law and in order to use the label "haute couture", one must meet specific criteria such as designing and fitting private clients and presenting at least 35 looks for both day and evening to the French press at least twice a year. Who knew?!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little book that I received from the Goodreads Giveaways. It had a variety of topics dealing with fashion and sewing, including a little bit of history and the reasons why things are the way they are in clothing. It wasn't something I read front to back, but instead jumped around, switching between topics as they interested me. I think it would make a nice gift for someone who is particularly interested in fashion.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It feels like the author said to his fashion-school buddies, Hey can you guys email me your favorite fashion pet peeve or the quote you have hanging by your desk? And then the author had his student intern throw it in a Word Document and presto. The awkward line drawings hurt. That said, I read the whole thing. I am that hungry for bite-sized information about fashion OR the book is actually not that bad.

[Louis Prosperi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the "101 Things I Learned" series.

While Fashion is not an area of particular interest for me (as was the case with the books on Film and Engineering), several of the principles in this book are generic enough to apply to other fields as well. In this case, because design is so integral to fashion, many of the "things" in this book are general design principles that apply far beyond the fashion runway.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m in LA. I should know this stuff. And this is an excellent first course. Fundamental tips on outlines, story, pacing, shots, budget—and leadership. “A director should never be afraid to take a suggestion because of a fear of looking weak. Crews respect a director who is open to suggestions, and will work more happily—and harder—for him or her.”

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute , compact , concise; that about sums up this little book. Great to learn facts about the fashion business for student or lay person. There are ways to help with styling , fabric choices , and creativity with design. A touch of humor and sageness included!

[Caren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very cute . Each page has a little fun fact, a quote, an image..Simple layout. Young people, who are intrested in fashion design ,should take a look at it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. There's a lot of good stuff on creativity in general, a lot of the specific stuff about clothes hasn't really sunk in.

[Kevin Connery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, pithy examples--usually 2-3 paragraphs--but very well done. Recommended.

[Ju Zhang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise. One tenth of the pages have great information that you don't learn from FD classes.

[Yasmin Al Mulla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting!