Fashion, Fashion, Fashion

You watch “Project Runway,” or “The Fashion Police.” You hear names like Christian Lacroix, Issey Miyake, John Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, and Michael Kors. But how did it all begin?

The first fashion design houses began around the turn of the century (the 20th century that is). Fashion design itself started in the late 19th century with Charles Frederick Worth (1825 – 1895), who was the first designer to have his own label sewn into his garments. The Seattle Public Library owns several good books about major fashion designers that followed him.

Madeleine Vionnet by Pamela Golbin
Vionnet (1876 – 1975) was the “Queen of the Bias Cut.” She is best known for introducing this new way of cutting material to the fashion world. 

Poiret by Harold Koda
Known for freeing women from corsets, Paul Poiret’s (1879 – 1944) major contribution to fashion was draping, whereas other designers practiced tailoring and pattern making.

Chanel: Her Style and Her Life by Janet Wallach
Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel (1883 – 1971) used menswear-inspired fashions, and emphasized simplicity. Paul Poiret referred to Chanel’s style as “Poverty Deluxe.”

 Elsa Schiaparelli by François Baudot
Elsa Schiaparelli (1890 – 1973) was one of the most prominent figures in fashion between the two World Wars. Schiaparelli’s designs were influenced by Surrealists like Salvador Dalí.

Christian Dior: The Man Who Made the World Look New by Marie France Pochna
On 12 February 1947, Christian Dior (1905 – 1957) launched his first fashion collection, which became known as the “New Look.” The New Look had a huge influence on fashion for many years. For more historical fashion books, check out this list from the Seattle Public Library catalog.  

                 ~ Mike B., Central Library