Costumes History 1920

Late in the 18th century, English children's apparel began to look different from that worn by their elders. The reason, says writer James Laver in his introduction, is that someone finally realized children were different! This engaging book records those changes, with illustrations depicting styles at five- or ten-year intervals, from 1775 to 1920. 32 black-and-white illustrations.

In the early decades of the 20th century, a remarkable phenomenon was revolutionizing American life. Mail-order catalogs, distributed by such firms as Sears, Roebuck and Company, were becoming familiar purveyors of merchandise ranging from stylish fashions for men, women and children to useful products and decorative accessories for the home.For this volume, devoted to everyday clothing of the era, JoAnne Olian, Curator Emeritus of the Costume Collection at the Museum of the City of New York, ha... [Read More]

Svelte flappers in smart frocks and chic hats personify the style of the jazz Age, and this outstanding resource features hundreds of such deliciously distinctive images. Featuring selections from hard-to-find fashion catalogs published by the well-known but now-defunct B. Altman & Company, this volume offers a sumptuously authentic record of the delectable fashions of the 1920s.Over 700 illustrations, detailed descriptions, and prices for a vast array of upscale women’s clothing and accessori... [Read More]

The first comprehensive study of women’s dress reform During the latter half of the nineteenth and the first decade of the twentieth centuries, books, periodicals, and newspapers were rich in discussions related to women’s roles, health, beauty, and dress. Many believed that restrictive and unwieldy women’s fashions compromised health, distorted women’s true physical beauty, and curtailed the potential role of women in society. Reforming Women’s Fashion, 1850–1920 focuses on the effo... [Read More]

NOTICE: Polish Release, cover may contain Polish text/markings. The disk has English subtitles.

Although Jane Hading (1859–1940), Lily Elsie (1886–1962), and Billie Burke (1884–1970) gained fame as stage actresses, their popular appeal also rested on their ability to cultivate a glamorous appearance. Their careers illustrate the early transformation of actresses into marketable commodities whose celebrity status depended on the consumption of their images. This celebrity, in turn, was used to market an array of beauty and fashion goods to women striving to emulate them.The three wome... [Read More]

As good as gold, this book satisfies the tastes of anyone with a curiosity for old white metal and rhinestone jewelry. The award-winning producer of the Hidden Treasures: Antique and Costume Jewelry video series brings you this beautiful book, featuring more than 1,000 pieces of jewelry. Filled with 400 color photographs that bring these glittering baubles to life, the book details white metal and rhinestone jewelry of the 1920s-1940s. Readers will learn the history of rhinestones, the different... [Read More]

The exclusive French periodical Gazette du Bon Ton was published in Paris to showcase the latest haute couture women's fashion. A selection of the original pochoir print illustrations made for this magazine between 1920 and 1922 are presented in this book. Fashion designers Charles Worth, Paul Poiret, and Madeleine Vionette are among the provocative creators of new 1920s clothing styles whose work is represented here. They revolutionized women's fashions by breaking with tradition to create an e... [Read More]