Fashion

Both students of fashion design and professionals in the field will find valuable inspiration in this profusely illustrated idea book. More than 1,200 detailed illustrations provide the building blocks for designing imaginative and original clothing. The opening section serves as a photo-illustrated catalog of basic shapes for:

*Sleeves * Necklines * Hems * Pockets * Ties and Fastenings * Collars * Cuffs *Waistbands *Embellishments (lace, appliquque, etc.)

The book's second and main section combines photos and fashion illustrations to present unique and original design ideas for all of the above-noted clothing parts. Sixteen original designs per page are sketched in a grid format, according to intended use: casual, formal, special occasion, and essential. The drawings are cross-referenced according to suggested fabrics for construction. A gatefold flap inside the book presents an outline human figure to guide designers in mixing and matching garment parts. The book's final section, titled "Taking It Further," shows how to find additional inspiration from outside sources, for instance from architectural details, or the graphic designs of the 1960s Op Art movement, or the dress designs of the 1930s. Readers will also find inventive ideas for using specialty fabrics, including silk, organza, and suede. Color photos and illustrations on every page.

Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys brings together for the first time information about lifecycle sustainability impacts of fashion and textiles, practical alternatives, design concepts and social innovation. It challenges existing ideas about the scope and potential of sustainability issues in fashion and textiles, and sets out a more pluralistic, engaging and forward-looking picture, drawing on ideas of systems thinking, human needs, local products, slow fashion and participatory design, as well as knowledge of materials. The book not only defines the field, it also challenges it, and uses design ideas to help shape more sustainable products and promote social change. Arranged in two sections, the first four chapters represent key stages of the lifecycle: material cultivation/extraction, production, use and disposal. The remaining four chapters explore design approaches for altering the scale and nature of consumption, including service design, localism, speed and user involvement. While each of these chapters is complete in and of itself, their real value comes from what they represent together: innovative ways of thinking about textiles and garments based on sustainability values and an interconnected approach to design.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average annual income of $69,270 for fashion designers in 2007. Opportunities in the fashion design industry are expected to rise about 10 to 12 percent through 2012. Many designers also go into other areas of the fashion industry, including: fashion buyer, fashion coordinator, retail store manager, and many more. You do not need to live in New York City, and you can start out small or even part time. Ralph Lauren's Polo empire was established on a small men s tie collection that he sold to Bloomingdales. Demand for fashion designers should remain strong, as consumers, hungry for new fashions and apparel styles will spur the creation of new clothing and accessory lines. This new book is a comprehensive and detailed study of the business side of the fashion, fashion design, and consulting business. You will learn everything from the initial design and creation to manufacturing and marketing. If you are investigating opportunities in this type of business, you should begin by reading this book, hopefully picturing yourself producing the perfect dress worn by one of Hollywood s elite. If you enjoy working with people and keeping up on the latest trends, this may be the perfect business for you. Keep in mind this business looks easy but, as with any business, looks can be deceiving. This complete manual will arm you with everything you need, including sample business forms; contracts; worksheets and checklists for planning, opening, and running day-to-day operations; lists; plans and layouts; and dozens of other valuable, timesaving tools of the trade that no designer should be without. While providing detailed instruction and examples, the author leads you through every detail that will bring success. You will learn how to draw up a winning business plan (the companion CD-ROM has the actual business plan you can use in Microsoft WordTM) and about basic cost control systems, copyright and trademark issues, branding, management, legal concerns, sales and marketing techniques, and pricing formulas. You will learn how to set up computer systems to save time and money, how to hire and keep a qualified professional staff, how to meet IRS requirements, how to manage and train employees, how to generate high profile public relations and publicity, and how to implement low cost internal marketing ideas. You will learn how to build your business by using low and no cost ways to satisfy customers, as well as ways to increase sales, have customers refer others to you, and thousands of great tips and useful guidelines. This manual delivers innovative ways to streamline your business. Learn new ways to make your operation run smoother and increase performance. Successful designers will appreciate this valuable resource and reference it in their daily activities as a source of ready-to-use forms, Web sites, operating and cost cutting ideas, and mathematical formulas that can easily be applied to their operations. The companion CD-ROM contains all the forms in the book, as well as a sample business plan you can adapt for your own use.

Fashion in the 1940s divides into two parts: pre and post New Look. The first period was dominated by World War II, when rationing affected the design of clothes for men and women. In 1947 Christian Dior's New Look brought a romantic revival: narrow, rounded shoulders, lightly padded hips and voluminous, billowing skirts introduced a new era of feminity and extravagence. This book is part of a series charting the development of women's and men's clothing from 1900 onwards. It includes complete descriptions of each garment and accessories, itemizing colour, cut, necklines, lapels, sleeves, pockets, fastenings, buttons and belts. The year-by-year format progresses through day wear, evening wear, sportswear, leisurewear, underwear, negligee and wedding wear. The text is accompanied by costume drawings by John Peacock, and includes a chart summarizing the evolution of fashion, garment shapes, and biographies of the outstanding designers of the decade.