Fabric for Fashion: A Comprehensive Guide

by Clive Hallett, Amanda Johnston

This book explains the particular qualities of different fabrics and how to get the most out of them. Providing a mix of practical information and the industry vocabulary, Fabric for Fashion will help students gain a clear understanding of how to work with fabrics as an integral component of the fashion design process. With stunning color photographs that show how fashion designers, both past and present, have worked with fabrics, the books prime objective is to stimulate creative exploration of the relationship of fabrics to fashion.

Genres: Fashion, Sewing, Nonfiction, Fashion Design, Design, Reference, Art

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Clive Hallett is a freelance design consultant and has worked in the fashion industry for over forty years. He has lectured at the London College of Fashion, Northumbria University and, as a guest, at many other universities and institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum. Clive has also worked for the World Health Organization on development programmes for industry.

Reviews

[Quiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book on fashion, so I was not sure what to expect. To me "guide", even "complete guide", signalled a slightly informal, somewhat information-filled tour of the fabrics used in fashion. Was I wrong!

While attempting to read through systematically, cover to cover, as well as attempting to absorb the contents, I realised this was actually more of an introductory textbook of the highest quality than a "guide". It works its way through Animal fibres, Plant fibers, and Man-made fibers, where each part is subdivided further. Each type of fiber is described in detail, starting from the way it is produced, the industry that produces it, and the concomitant ethical considerations, to the finishing processes and final applications in fashion. The accompanying illustrations are a mixture of real-life runway designs, graphs, animal and plant pictures, material and fiber close-ups. The layout is accessible, colourful, clear, and detailed.

Unless you are planning a career in fashion, you don't need to remember all the details to get a rewarding overview of what goes into the clothes we all wear. It's an excellent reference book as well.

Highly recommended to anyone who is curious. (Yes, even just generally curious about life—you'll learn things that'll surprise you.)

[LD · Rating 4 out of 5]

May seem weird because this is definitely a resource meant for fashion designers, but I love it. Learning more about fabrics and garment construction is so interesting and will help helpful in choosing quality clothing and dressing for weather conditions.

[Castor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy to read, yet detailed enough.

[Alex Friendly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting read for anyone who is interested in working with fabric.