Icons of Fashion: The 20th Century

By: Buxbaum, Gerda

Book Overview

Elegant and daring 20th-century fashion history has been organized into stylistic periods featuring top design collections and fashion celebrities. 500 illustrations, 300 in full color. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3791321617
• ISBN13: 9783791321615
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 3.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.8" x 12.1"

Customer Reviews

Edgy and Sophisticated

Icons of Fashion: The 20th Century is a very edgy and sophisticated book. It takes on a unique approach about the icons of the 20th century. The content of this book is not in chronological order but rather in theme and designer ranging from the 1900s to 2000. To details of the pictures to the interesting facts of the earliest designers made me want to read more about the book. Reading about the designers, on the side of the book, there is a timeline about their life and businesses, which was really helpful, considering I had to write an assignment about the different designers and I could just refer back to the timeline. I loved how the book gave pictures dating back to the 1900s to today. It was really interesting to see how fashion goes in a circle. For example, the belt around the waist, that just came into fashion two years ago. Also the design, the little black dress. This book is very helpful and I suggest it to anyone who is interested in the fashion Industry becuase it was interesting, colorful and very educational.

An excellent overview blending visuals with a running commentary on fashion's influence

The history of the 20th century can be revealed through its fashion trends, and Gerda Buxbaum Icons Of Fashion: The 20th Century proves this with an overview of fashion trends and revolutions. Yes, there are the icons of fashion to testify to these changes: Chanel, Karan and others - but also fine photos capturing styles ranging from body stockings to military and cocktail dress; all contained in an excellent overview blending visuals with a running commentary on fashion's influence.

Beautiful and Comprehensive

I have only just begun this book (20 pages in), and I am enthralled. So many fashion books are written chronologically, so this book, arranged by theme and designer, is an interesting change. The pictures are gorgeous, many of them are in color, and every other page contains an essay on various topics. The topics range from an influence on fashion, a particular designer, themes in collections, or a period of history. Included are also short timelines of the careers of designers from the last century. This book covers a wide range of topics, and gives the reader a comprehensive look at the past century in fashion. I would not recommend this book for someone who wants a chronological look at the development of fashion trends, because the articles skip from the thirties to the Victorian era to the twenties. It is interesting, colorful, and even educational.

A unique approach

This book takes a unique approach to the fashions of the past century. Arranged by theme and idea rather than chronologically, the book is a breath of fresh air in the realm of "fashion books". Each entry is written by someone with close knowledge of the subject, and so is more personal than a faceless editor. Overall, I thought the book was really interesting and a great read.

As necessary as the "Little Black Dress".

A beautiful comprehensive look at the evolution of fashion. Absolutely fascinating to read or just browse through.