V & A Publishing

From the mountains of Montenegro to the shores of South-East Asia and beyond, the V&A's renowned world dress collection is highlighted in «World Dress Fashion in Detail». The book, part of the «V&A Fashion in Detail» series, explores cut work and silk embroidery from Indonesia, applied metal braid and cord fastenings from Albania, as well as elaborate patchwork from Tibet, India, Korea and Iran. Specially commissioned photographs, authoritative text and line drawings showcase the breathtaking richness of detail that will delight and inspire anyone interested in dress. This title previously available as «Dress in Detail from Around the World».

This popular celebration of roaring 1920s fashion is now available in paperback. From beaded evening dresses for dancing the Charleston to sporty outfits for golf, the world of Hollywood and F. Scott Fitzgerald is conjured up in sumptuous pictures of stylish outfits for all occasions. A wealth of evocative illustrations from the V&A's world-famous dress collection and from the stylish fashion magazines of the time recreates this glamorous era.

In 1947 Christian Dior rocked the fashion world with his «New Look» which dominated post war fashion and firmly secured the name of his house in the minds of the public and the fashion industry. He drew on historical models of femininity and utilized the unique skills of Parisian haute couture in textiles, embroidery, cutting and sewing techniques to produce stunning designs that captured the new mood of optimism after the war. Dior also designed and marketed ready-made luxe lines and broke new ground by creating and controlling innovative licensing agreements for all Dior products, from perfume to stockings, jewellery, bathing suits and even men's ties. Based on new research, this absorbing and beautifully illustrated book examines the seminal years of Christian Dior, 1947-1957, from a truly international perspective.

Exploring the changing styles and uses of bags from the Middle Ages to the present day, this gorgeous book, featuring specially commissioned photography of bags from the V&A's world famous collections, includes everything from delicate drawstring purses to must-have designer handbags by the likes of Chanel, Moschino and Prada.

This lavishly illustrated book charts the rich history of wallpaper from the 16th century to the present day. All types of wallpaper are included as well as images of interiors, posters and sample books, providing a fascinating insight into the subject. It is an invaluable source book for anyone interested in the role of wallpaper in decorative schemes.

More than three decades after his death, the Spanish couturier Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972) has become a legendary figure in the history of 20th century fashion. His name is now a byword for clothes executed to the highest standards and characterized by their sculptural quality, deft manipulation of textiles, and dramatic use of colour. This absorbing new book, with breathtaking illustrations, examines Balenciaga's design and business 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. It accompanies the major exhibition The Golden Age of Couture, opening at the V&A in September 2007.

This lavish book focuses on Parisian and British couture between 1947 and 1957, a decade that Christian Dior described as fashion's 'golden age'. Dior's 'New Look' collection of 1947 shocked and delighted the fashion world, creating a style that symbolised a new femininity. The full skirts and hour glass silhouettes were considered highly decadent, synonymous with luxury and extravagance, in marked contrast to the austerity of the war years. Nevertheless, the 'New Look' caught the public imagination and ushered in a period of remarkable creativity. The Golden Age of Couture features stunning gowns and exquisite tailoring from designers such as Balenciaga, Balmain, Givenchy, and Dior as well as evocative photographs by the likes of Richard Avedon and Cecil Beaton.

Crowned ‘Designer of the Year’ by Vogue in 1970, Bill Gibb (1943–1988), barely out of college two years and yet to launch his eponymous line, was to become a major name in fashion history. Gibb’s career was prolific, and truly visionary at its finest, but sadly short-lived. His legacy, continued relevance and importance as a designer is apparent today in the work of designers from Giles Deacon to John Galliano. Famous for his love of romance, soaring flights of fancy and devil-may-care dynamic, Gibb’s wildly eccentric combinations of checks, tartans, stripes, floral prints and Fair Isle Knits had never been seen before. T his stunning book explores Gibb’s background, long-time fascination with historical imagery and the themes that inspired his designs. Award-winning fashion journalist Iain R Webb is a professor at Central Saint Martins; he writes for The Independent and New York Times magazine.

For nearly two decades Harry Hammond was Britain’s leading showbiz photographer. Starting in the late-1940s, his camera captured the definitive images of virtually every leading British musician, as well as visiting Americans. Drawing on the invaluable archive of over 11,000 images housed in the V&A, Alwyn W Turner tells the story of Britain’s embrace – and ultimate domination – of rock ‘n’ roll, from the earliest days with Bill Haley and the Comets to the emergence of the Beatles and Merseybeat. This remarkable collection includes photographs of Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, Billy Fury, Johnny Kidd, Cliff Richard, Eddie Cochran, the Animals, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Dusty Springfield and many more.

From the first official poster for Stockholm in 1912 up to the present, this is a fascinating look at the evolution of the Olympic Games poster. This diverse collection includes official posters for the Summer and Winter Games and Timmers examines pervading themes from politics to cultural diversity. An intensely visual representation of the modern Games which shows the evolution of the Olympic Games poster art.

This is the bestselling fashion classic now available in cloth-bound special edition. Illustrated with delightful photographs and drawings, this beautiful book is the perfect gift for both the style-conscious and the desperately in need! Christian Dior reveals the secrets of style in his indispensable guide that covers everything from what to wear to a wedding and how to tie a scarf to how to walk with grace.

Shoes hold a special fascination for women and men all over the world. This history of footwear, from the Middle Ages to the present day, features spectacular photography to highlight the elegance and beauty of everything from exquisite embroidered shoes and slippers to a mouthwatering array of strappy sandals, stilettos, trainers and boots.

Focusing on up-and-coming designers and their contributions to the changing fashion industry in the vibrant climate of New York city, New York Fashion explores the city’s importance as a fashion capital in the 21st century. Tracing New York’s emergence after the Second World War as a major international fashion centre and looking at the important designers of the period, including Claire McCardell and Geoffrey Beene, it also takes in the last quarter of the 20th century which was dominated by the ready-to-wear empires of designers such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. In the past five years a group of young, talented New Yorkbased designers have found critical and commercial success internationally. Sonnet Stanfill examines the reasons behind this exciting rise in new talent and illustrates the best examples of the work of 20 of New York’s next generation of fashion designers, including Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, Jean Yu, Behnaz Sarafpour and Derek Lam.

Surrealism was one of the most influential movements of the twentieth century and had a profound impact on all forms of culture. It was a philosophy and a way of life for some of the most brilliant artists of the century. This is the first book to examine in depth its impact in the wider fields of design and the decorative arts and its sometimes uneasy relationship with the commercial world. From the sensuality of Dali's Mae West Lips Sofa to Schiaparelli's extraordinary 'Tear' dress, Surrealism produced some of the most emotive objects ever created. In this ground-breaking book, works in all media from artists and designers such as Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Alexander Calder, Max Ernst and Joan Miro will be used to explore some of Surrealism's dominant themes. Containing over 350 stunning illustrations, including previously unpublished works in private collections and specially commissioned photographs, the range of objects spans painting, sculpture, works on paper, bookbindings, jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles, furniture, fashion, film and photography.

The photograph of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara by Alberto Korda, taken on 5 March 1960, is thought to be the most reproduced image in the history of photography. It has become an icon, symbolising anti-establishment thought and action, as relevant in our fractured world today as it was in the revolutionary and Pop idiom of the 1960s. This book brings together photography, posters, film, fine art, clothing and artefacts from the world over to trace Che’s transformation from heroic guerilla, through Pop celebrity to symbol of radical chic. Korda’s Che is an ideal abstraction, an icon to be appropriated by counter-culture, in whatever guise. The story of Che has many tellings and here they are brought together that gives new life to the legend.

Offers a study of the ideas that have shaped the domestic interior in the West over five hundred years. Looking at an array of depictions of the home, this book deals with both public and private attitudes to the domestic interior, and features various things from grand decorative schemes to homely cottages.

'You have a much better life if you wear impressive clothes', according to Vivienne Westwood. A global icon, Vivienne Westwood's career has spanned three decades from the early days of punk to the successful establishment of her own fashion house. This book is a study of her work as a ground-breaking fashion designer.

This wide-ranging survey offers a history of Western furniture which covers a dazzling array of styles, historical periods and countries. It looks at most of the main techniques and materials of furniture-making including carving and glass furniture.

The V&A’s best-selling history of fashion book reflects the popularity of the Museum’s world famous dress collection. «Four Hundred Years of Fashion» tells the story of men’s and women’s fashionable dress through the ages, covering dress, undergarments and accessories through the ages. Illustrations are wide-ranging, from the sumptuously embroidered 18th-century court manuta to Vivienne Westwood’s psychedelic punk outfit. The expertise of the authors gives the text unequalled authority and makes it an indispensable reference book for students, fashion enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Modern Fashion in Detail explores the creative genius of couturiers from Balenciaga to Vivienne Westwood through the detail of their creations. The book is split into seven sections: seams, gathers, tucks and pleats, collars, cuffs and pockets, buttons, bows, beads and sequins and applied decoration are all looked at in intricate detail. The craftsmanship is shown off with lively commentary, line drawings and stunning close-up photography.

Looks at Gabrielle Chanel's career, her workroom, her customers and her rivals. It focuses on chanel the couturiere, her innovations and her influence on the way women choose to look in the modern world. The story is brought up to 1994 based on an interview with Karl Lagerfeld.