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Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973), one of the leading fashion designers of the 1920s, '30s, and '40s, was known for her flair for the unusual. The first designer to use shoulder pads and animal prints, and the inventor of shocking pink, Schiaparelli collaborated with artists including Jean Cocteau, Alberto Giacometti, and Salvador Dal� to create extraordinary garments such as the Dal� Lobster Dress. Schiaparelli had an affluent clientele, from Katharine Hepburn to Marlene Dietrich, who embraced her outrageous but elegant designs. She designed aviator Amy Johnson's wardrobe for her solo flight to Cape Town in 1936 and the culottes for tennis champion Lil� �lvarez that outraged the lawn tennis establishment, and her clothes appeared in more than 30 films, including Every Day's a Holiday with Mae West and Moulin Rouge. Schiaparelli's fascinating autobiography charts her rise from resident of a rat-infested apartment to designer to the stars.
"Fashion has always sought to celebrate nature - from sumptuous silks and floral patterns, to the spectacular creations of designers such as Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior, the two have long been entwined. Yet this reverence is sometimes combined with a damaging need for raw materials. From the seventeenth century to the present day, Fashioned from Nature examines our dependence on the natural world and the devastating effect of certain trends, as seen in the demand for ivory, fur, skins and exotic feathers. Today, intense consumerism and fast fashion have a different impact on the world around us, and this book discusses the need for a more responsible fashion cycle. But which has the greater environmental impact - a leather handbag or a white cotton t-shirt? Consider the effects of land clearance, insecticides and water consumption - not to mention washing after every wear - and the answer may not be completely clear. Fascinating and beautifully illustrated, this book will stimulate an important and timely debate." -- provided by publisher.
David Bowie's career as a pioneering artist spanned nearly 50 years and brought him international acclaim. He continues to be cited as a major influence on contemporary artists and designers working across the creative arts. This book, published to accompany the blockbuster international exhibition launched at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, is the only volume that grants access to Bowie's personal archive of performance costumes, ephemera, and original design artwork by the artist, bringing it together to present a completely new perspective on his creative work and collaborations. The book traces his career from its beginnings in London, through the breakthroughs of Space Oddity and T...
This beautiful book explores the beloved writer’s achievements as a storyteller, artist, and naturalist. Beatrix Potter’s universe of characters—Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Jemima Puddleduck—have delighted audiences for over a century. A creative pioneer and determined entrepreneur, she combined scientific observation with imaginative storytelling to create some of the world’s best-loved children’s books. This volume showcases Potter’s charming charac-ters against the backdrop of her exquisite botanical drawings, humorous illustrated letters to friends, Lake District landscapes, and rarely seen photographs. Beatrix Potter’s endearingly hand-painted world of animals and gardens made her one of the most celebrated children’s book authors of all time, yet this is but one facet of her creative life. Drawn to the picturesque English countryside after a London childhood, Potter had a passion for nature that influenced her many achievements as a naturalist, artist, storyteller, and later in life as a fervent conservationist and “gentlewoman” farmer. This book sheds light upon the connections between her art, entrepreneurial success, and legacy in preservation.
Highlights from one of the world's most outstanding collections of traditional Japanese kimonos, with stunning examples from the Edo period through the twentieth century
Modernism flourished from 1914 to 1939 and it was a key point of reference for 20th century architecture, design and art. This work explores Modernism and design from an international perspective and reveals the ways in which it has shaped our world and its visual culture.
Explore the phenomenon of Alice in Wonderland, which has captivated readers from Walt Disney to Annie Leibovitz for over 150 years Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderlandis a cultural phenomenon. First published in 1865, it has never been out of print and has been translatedinto 170 languages. But why does it have such enduringand universal appeal, for both adults and children? Thisbook explores the global impact of Alicein art, design, and performance from the 19th century to today. Startingwith the Victorian literary and social context in which thisstory was created, it shows the ways in which Carroll'sbooks have been reimagined and reinterpreted by eachnew generation, from the original illustrations by JohnTenniel to artwork by Peter Blake and Salvador Dal., and from the 1951 Disney movie to Tim Burton's 2010interpretation.
"C.F.A. Voysey (1857-1941) was an architect-designer who advocated honest and thoughtful design, and championed high standards of craftsmanship applied only to the finest materials. The resulting objects -- simple yet elegant, often enhanced by beautiful and symbolic decoration -- were considered revolutionary in their time and continue to enchant audiences today. The first substantial monograph to be published in 20 years, this comprehensive book focuses on Voysey as a designer of furniture, metalwork, and textiles, providing a new analysis of his characteristic motifs and designs. It draws on the greatest public and private collections of his work to give a complete and fully illustrated a...
Modern life after 1945 seemed to promise both utopia and catastrophe. Both could, it seemed, be achieved at the 'push of a button'. Published to accompany a major V & A exhibition, 'Cold War Modern: Design 1945-1970', this book explores how the politics of the Cold War shaped architecture and design. Reassessing 'classic' designs and introducing many little-known objects.
First published by V&A Publishing in 2007. This revised and expanded edition is published to accompany the exhibition "Balenciaga: shaping fashion" held 27 May 2017 - 18 February 2018, at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.