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Structuring Fashion: Foundation Garments through History
Shaping the body through clothing has played an important part in the evolution of fashion for hundreds of years. In Europe specifically, changes in fashion have always aligned with the changes to the cuts of clothing and the outline of the human body. The Bavarian National Museum in Munich, known as one of the most important museums of decorative arts, hosted an international conference to showcase the undergarments that have shaped fashionable silhouettes from the middle ages to the twenty-first century.
Structuring Fashion is the culmination of this conference and the presentation of the extremely rare, world-famous pair of silk bodies worn by Countess Palatine Dorothea Sabina around 1598 that was highlighted at the event. This volume highlights the narrow waists that were achieved by laced bodices and corsets, and the intricate detailing of hoop and crinoline petticoats with 120 rich illustrations of original items. The images are accompanied by insightful essays that chronicle the history behind the clothing.
Structuring Fashion is the culmination of this conference and the presentation of the extremely rare, world-famous pair of silk bodies worn by Countess Palatine Dorothea Sabina around 1598 that was highlighted at the event. This volume highlights the narrow waists that were achieved by laced bodices and corsets, and the intricate detailing of hoop and crinoline petticoats with 120 rich illustrations of original items. The images are accompanied by insightful essays that chronicle the history behind the clothing.
168 pages, Paperback
Published January 22, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
March 24, 2022
Forward:
Introduction: Excellent introduction that tells exactly what you are getting within this book.
Chapter One: This goes over Medieval bra from Tyrol, as well as what appears to be a cupped shift. During the medieval period this was very interesting. Then follows up with an 18th century stomacher and 19th century corset. This section was extremely interesting.
Chapter Two: The section goes over the changing female form from 1480-1610. Which then goes into bodies and the boning or lack thereof. I really like the explanation of lacing and details. This is an recreationers dream.
Chapter Three: Goes over the Spanish Farthingale and tidbits of other information about bodices worn around that time.
Chapter Four: This goes into 17th and 18th century stays-contruction and lacing. The construction section is not a sewing manual type of construction section. So you won't be able to recreate from this section but it is a very nice section.
Chapter Five: This chapter goes into the various meanings of different terms, and thoughts on how the should be interpreted or rather on how they are interpreted.
Chapter Six: This sections goes from stays, bodices, doublets, Keep in mind that this book is talking about very specific items that are shown in photographs, not a sweeping generalization of the times.
Chapter Seven: All about 4 different Robes De Cour, These dresses are beautiful if I may say so. Gorgeous works of art.
Chapter Eight: Goes into 18th century Panniers
Chapter Nine: Goes into Hoop-Petticoats. It also touches on sumptuary laws.
Chapter Ten: German Corset Production, very interesting section on Stuttgart and its textile production.
Chapter Eleven: This section talks about lingerie/shapewear.
Bibliography
Notes on Authors
Picture Credits
Colophon
It took me a long time to review this text honestly because when I first bought it I wasn't a fan. After having read through it multiple times I think it presents some interesting information. Information that is normally not talked about in depth. I use books like this for re-creation purposes, in that case this book didn't present anything new. For that, the book garners three stars. Its a nice book by not a true reference book that will be used over and over to justify the price. If however you are someone in fashion history simply from an academic standpoint, this book does point out some very interesting things and could quite possibly spark your interest on various under structures and I would not hesitate to grab it.
This book actually talks about specific items in the Bayerisches NationalMuseum.
Is it worth it? For me no. I found it interesting but this will not be a well worn book. Definitely a book I would have rather borrowed from the library. For academic purposes a very good starting point in historical understructures. I'm a little pensive about how to rate this book as I think it all depends on its owners needs.
Callareviews.blogspot.com
Introduction: Excellent introduction that tells exactly what you are getting within this book.
Chapter One: This goes over Medieval bra from Tyrol, as well as what appears to be a cupped shift. During the medieval period this was very interesting. Then follows up with an 18th century stomacher and 19th century corset. This section was extremely interesting.
Chapter Two: The section goes over the changing female form from 1480-1610. Which then goes into bodies and the boning or lack thereof. I really like the explanation of lacing and details. This is an recreationers dream.
Chapter Three: Goes over the Spanish Farthingale and tidbits of other information about bodices worn around that time.
Chapter Four: This goes into 17th and 18th century stays-contruction and lacing. The construction section is not a sewing manual type of construction section. So you won't be able to recreate from this section but it is a very nice section.
Chapter Five: This chapter goes into the various meanings of different terms, and thoughts on how the should be interpreted or rather on how they are interpreted.
Chapter Six: This sections goes from stays, bodices, doublets, Keep in mind that this book is talking about very specific items that are shown in photographs, not a sweeping generalization of the times.
Chapter Seven: All about 4 different Robes De Cour, These dresses are beautiful if I may say so. Gorgeous works of art.
Chapter Eight: Goes into 18th century Panniers
Chapter Nine: Goes into Hoop-Petticoats. It also touches on sumptuary laws.
Chapter Ten: German Corset Production, very interesting section on Stuttgart and its textile production.
Chapter Eleven: This section talks about lingerie/shapewear.
Bibliography
Notes on Authors
Picture Credits
Colophon
It took me a long time to review this text honestly because when I first bought it I wasn't a fan. After having read through it multiple times I think it presents some interesting information. Information that is normally not talked about in depth. I use books like this for re-creation purposes, in that case this book didn't present anything new. For that, the book garners three stars. Its a nice book by not a true reference book that will be used over and over to justify the price. If however you are someone in fashion history simply from an academic standpoint, this book does point out some very interesting things and could quite possibly spark your interest on various under structures and I would not hesitate to grab it.
This book actually talks about specific items in the Bayerisches NationalMuseum.
Is it worth it? For me no. I found it interesting but this will not be a well worn book. Definitely a book I would have rather borrowed from the library. For academic purposes a very good starting point in historical understructures. I'm a little pensive about how to rate this book as I think it all depends on its owners needs.
Callareviews.blogspot.com
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review