NZ Fashion, Clothing and Textiles

Claire Wilson's well illustrated book celebrates a momentous decade in fashion history that began with the launch of Christian Dior's famous New Look in 1947 and ended with his death in 1957. It was Dior himself who christened this era fashion's 'golden age' a period when haut couture thrived in both Paris and London. 

V&A Publishing. Softback. 224 pages. NEW.

Ossie Clark 1965-74 by Judith Watt. From 1965 to 1974 Ossie Clark dressed the famous and fashionable in unabashed show stoppers. His evening wear was boldly seductive; his tailoring deliciously precise; and above all his clothes were unfailingly feminine. This is the first book to examine in detail, and celebrate, the work of Ossie Clark, one of the most important designers in British fashion whose influence is still felt today.

Softback. 128 pages. NEW. 

Bill Gibb Fashion and Fantasy by Iain Webb is a stunning book which explores the work of a prolific and truly visionary designer; his background and the enduring themes that inspired his designs. Gibb was a free spirit, an intuative designer who broke the rules, not only in terms of design but also concepts and attitudes.

Hardback. 134 pages. NEW.

Twentieth Century Textiles by Francesca Galloway and Sue Kerry presents a selection of more than 100 furnishing textiles and designs ranging from a spectacular printed hanging designed by the Wiener Werkstatte artist Dagobert Peche (between 1911 and 1918) to a series of dramatic woven, silk and metal wall coverings designed by Henri Stephany for the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes.

Hardback. 196 pages. NEW. 

Late Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Century textiles by  Francesca Galloway & Sue Kerry presents a selection of pieces chosen for their beauty, elegance and relevance to the history of textile design. The focus is on furnishing textiles that illustrate the tremendous shift in taste from the restrained neo-classical style of the late eighteenth century to the imperialistic fashions of the Nepoleonic era and beyond.

Hardback. 192 pages. NEW. 

VALENTINA. American Couture and the Cult of Celebrity by Kohle Yohannan, This is the first book dedicated to describing this fascinating American designer's life and career. It is lavishly illustrated with high quality photographs of celebrity couture of the 1940's and 1950's.

Hardback. 280 pages. NEW.

Sonia Rykiel by Olivier Saillard is a sumptuous book that celebrates the iconic designer's lifetime in fashion. Included are photographs fom 80 seasonal collections spanning 40 years and interlaced with remarkable personal anecdotes and reminiscences alongside candid photographs of the designer. Also included are images from the official campaigns that originally appeared in such leading fashion publications as Vogue, Elle, Marie-Claire and many others.

Hardback. 678 pages. NEW.  

Silk by Mary Schoeser is a very interesting book about the extensive history and uses of silk. The author describes the enduring influence of the fabric as a status symbol from the beginning in ancient China. She also examines the innovative uses of silk by today's designers. This is a very high quality Yale University Press publication illustrated with over 250 beautiful colour photographs.

Hardback. 256pp. NEW. 

Fashion in Detail series published by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It makes use of colour photography to depict garment detail up close from the extensive collection of the museum, many of which are too fragile to display. Ideal reference for students, designers, collectors and lovers of fashion.

V&A Publishing, London. Paperback. 224 pages. NEW.

Fashion in Detail series published by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It makes use of colour photography to depict garment detail up close from the extensive collection of the museum, many of which are too fragile to display. Ideal reference for students, designers, collectors and lovers of fashion.

V&A Publishing, London. Paperback. 224 pages. NEW. 

Fashion in Detail series published by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It makes use of colour photography to depict garment detail up close from the extensive collection of the museum, many of which are too fragile to display. Ideal reference for students, designers, collectors and lovers of fashion.

V&A Publishing, London. Paperback. 144 pages. NEW.

Fashion in Detail series published by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It makes use of colour photography to depict garment detail up close from the extensive collection of the museum, many of which are too fragile to display. Ideal reference for students, designers, collectors and lovers of fashion.

V&A Publishing, London. Paperback. 224 pages. NEW.

Drawing on 120 objects from the Victoria and Albert Museum's important collection of historical underwear this book traces the development of underwear from corsets to camisoles and girdles to garters. Fully illustrated in colour.

V & A Publishing, London. Hardback with dustjacket. 224 pages. NEW.

Fashionist. A Century of Style Icons by Simone Werle. In this book the leading fashion icons of the last one hundred years are presented in glorious detail, with photos that illustrate that certain something possessed by each of these memorable women. A wonderful tribute to the zeitgeist, to style, and to distinctive taste. Includes Coco Chanel, Mary Quant, Joan Crawford, Marilyn Munroe etc.

Prestel Publishing. Hardback. 173 pages. NEW.  

Audrey Hepburn was the epitome of elegance and style. Her beauty, fragility, grace and warmth set her apart from her Hollywood contempories. This photo biography features familiar and less well known images from throughout her life.

Endeavour Publishing, London, 2009. Hardback with dust jacket. 176 pages. NEW.  

Balenciaga by Lesley Ellis Miller. Based on new research in France, Spain and Britain, this book examines Balenciaga's design and buisness practice, placing him firmly in the context of the time and country in which he learnt his trade and the international fashion scene in which he subsequently matured and triumphed.

V&A Publishing. Softback. 128 pages. NEW. 

Dior by Alexandra Palmer. Based on new research, this book examines Dior's design and buisness practice between 1947-57 and the creation of the famous 'New Look', and other innovations in the fashion industry.

V&A Publishing. Softback. 128 pages. NEW.

400 Years of Fashion edited by Natalie Rothstein. Produced by staff of the Department of Textiles and Dress at the Victoria and Albert Museum, this lavishy illustrated textbook provides designers and fashion students with a guide to men and women's fashions from the 17th century onwards. 

V & A Publishing. Softcovers, 200 illustrations. NEW.

The Dress Circle New Zealand Fashion Design Since 1940. A history of 70 years of New Zealand fashion history which demonstrates that the country had vibrant designers long before the recent emergence of contemporary designers. Over 400 illustrations. A must have for lovers of fashion and design. 

Godwit Publishing. Hardback, illustrated. 424 pages. NEW.

100 Dresses from the Collection of the Costume Institue of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Yale University Press. Softback, illustrated, 231 pages. NEW.

Classic Fashion Patterns of the 20th century by Anne Tyrell. This is a pattern book of key 20th century costume, covering each decade from 1900 to 1970. It provides historically accurate patterns for every vintage outfit, from an Edwardian evening dress, to a 1930s wedding dress, to a Teddy Boy outfit. A must for fashion designers and stage costumiers.

Batsford. Softcovers. Illustrated. 160 pages. NEW.

Horrockses Fashions Off the Peg Style in the 40s and 50s. Christine Boydell uses fashion photography, archives, personal stories and beautiful dresses to tell the story of one of the most respected ready to wear labels on the post war British high street.

V&A Publishing. Hardcover. Illustrated. 192 pages. NEW.

Alexander McQueen Genius of a Generation. Kirsten Knox celebrates the incredible creations of one of the most significant 20th century fashion designers.

A& C Black. Softcovers. Illustrated. 128 Pages. NEW.

Magnificence of the Tsars. Ceremonial Men's Dress of the Russian Imperial Court 1721-1917 from the Collection of the Moscow Kremlin Museums. Stunning fashion history for fashion designers and collectors.

V& A Publishing. Softcovers. Illustrated. 112 Pages. NEW.

The Corset A Cultural History. Fashion curator Valerie Steele contends that the corset cannot be framed only in terms of women's oppression and liberation. Her extensively researched book examines the social status, health and other cultural values women associated with the corset and why they continued wearing them long after doctors and dress reformers urged them to give them up.

Yale Univerity Press. Softcovers. Illustrated. 198 pages. NEW.

Corsets a Modern Guide. Leading corset designer Velda Lauder describes the evolution of the corset from ancient times to contemporary fashion forward outerwear.

A&C Black. Hardcover with dust-jacket. Illustrated. 224 Pages. NEW.

Between 1909 and 1929 the Ballets Russe was an unrivalled sensation not only in France but in London, New York and other capital cities. Attention has previously been given to the Ballets link with modernist art but little has been writen about its influence on haute couture. In its heyday the Ballets Russe was a potent force in Paris style. This book tells that story.

Reakiton Books. Softback. 256 pages illustrated throughout. NEW.