20th-Century Fashion in Detail reveals the elaborate embroidery, intricate pleats and daring cuts that make up some of the most beautiful garments in the V&A's superlative 20th-century fashion collection. The reader is granted a unique opportunity to examine historical clothing that is often too fragile to display, and to thereby (re)discover the work of designers such as Mariano Fortuny, Madeleine Vionnet, Jeanne Lanvin, Paul Poiret, Charles James, Hubert de Givenchy, Mary Quant, Yves Saint Laurent and Vivienne Westwood.
A newly commissioned introduction illuminates the history of fashion in the 20th century, followed by chapters dedicated to specific techniques and elements, including `Seams', `Gathers, Tucks and Pleats', `Buttons', `Bows' and `Beads and Sequins'. Each garment is accompanied by a short text, detail photography and front-and-back line drawings. A glossary, bibliography and index conclude the book.
An extraordinary exploration of the techniques used by couturiers in the construction of these exceptional garments, 20th-Century Fashion in Detail will delight all followers of fashion.
