The Dictionary of Fashion History

Description

- What is an Apollo knot? - Who wore a Welch wig? - When were Zouave jackets the height of fashion? This new edition of The Dictionary of Fashion History further updates the landmark work of C. Willett Cunnington, Phillis Cunnington and Charles Beard. Featuring over 60 new and revised entries on diverse topics such as the Onesie, Brothel Creepers and the Birkin Bag, this edition is even more comprehensive and brings this costume historian's bible fully up to date. With many more images to accompany the text and illustrate key fashions - including cartoons, prints and lavish color photographs of surviving garments - this version of the dictionary brings dazzling and unusual garments to life for researchers, students, costume designers and everyone interested in the subject. Clear, concise, and meticulous in detail, this essential reference work answers countless questions relating to the history of dress and adornment and will continue to be the definitive guide for many years to come.

Valerie Cumming is currently Editor of Costume: The Journal of the Costume Society. She is a former Chairman of The Costume Society (2004-2009) and has worked with museums for many years as a curator, administrator and trustee.

Nearly forty years on [...] the volume reappears as The Dictionary of Fashion History, skilfully enlarged and re-edited by Valerie Cumming. Given fresh life and thorough coverage from 1900 through the present day, the new dictionary is once again ready to prove itself a trustworthy guide and companion to all those interested in the absorbing study of clothing. -- Review of the first edition, Ann Saunders, Editor of Costume 1967-2007 A welcome, needed update of an early landmark dictionary on dress; a must have for all who care about the A to Z of fashion. -- Review of the first edition, Joanne B. Eicher, Regents Professor Emerita at the University of Minnesota Concise yet detailed, academic, and fabulous, it is truly a dictionary. The Dictionary of Fashion History is an essential purchase for any library serving patrons with an interest in fashion, clothing, art, history, theater, anthropology, or nearly any area of the social sciences. -- Review of the first edition, Library Journal This new edition brings The Dictionary of Fashion History completely up date, immersing it within today's material culture approaches to fashion history. Above all, this edition is gloriously enhanced by Valerie Cumming's admirable choice of color images of precious surviving garments and accessories. -- Lou Taylor, Brighton University, UK Comprehensive in range, well-illustrated in color, with helpful glossaries and a useful list of sources, this handy compendium is essential for the specialist and of interest to the general reader. An impressive achievement. -- Aileen Ribeiro, The Courtauld Institute of Art, UK.