Virtual Displays: June 2025 - Books... But Make It Fashion!

Unsuitable: a History of Lesbian Fashion by Eleanor Medhurst The way we dress can show or hide who we are; make us fit in, make us stand out, or make our own community. Yet "lesbian fashion" has been strangely overlooked. What secrets can it reveal about the lives and status of queer women through the ages? The lesbian past is slippery: often deliberately hidden, edited or left unrecorded. "Unsuitable" restores to history the dazzlingly varied clothes worn by women who love women, from top hats to violet tiaras. This story spans centuries and countries, from "Gentleman Jack" in nineteenth-century Yorkshire and Queen Christina of seventeenth-century Sweden, to Paris modernism, genderqueer Berlin, butch/femme bar culture and gay rights activists--via drag kings, "Vogue" editors and the Harlem Renaissance. This book is a kaleidoscope of the margins and the mainstream, celebrating trans lesbian style, Black lesbian style, and gender nonconformity. You don't have to be queer or fashionable to be enthralled by this hidden history. "Unsuitable" lights it up for the world to see, in all its finery.

Pockets: an Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close by Hannah Carlson "Who knew the humble pocket could hold so much history? In this enthralling and always surprising account, Hannah Carlson turns the pocket inside out and out tumble pocket watches, coins, pistols, and a riveting centuries-long social and political history." ―Jill Lepore, author of These Truths: A History of the United States Pockets "showcases the best features of cultural history: a lively combination of visual, literary and documentary evidence. As sumptuously illustrated as it is learned ... this highly inventive and original book demands a pocket sequel." ―Jane Kamensky, Wall Street Journal Who gets pockets, and why? It's a subject that stirs up plenty of passion: Why do men's clothes have so many pockets and women's so few? And why are the pockets on women's clothes often too small to fit phones, if they even open at all? In her captivating book, Hannah Carlson, a lecturer in dress history at the Rhode Island School of Design, reveals the issues of gender politics, security, sexuality, power, and privilege tucked inside our pockets. Throughout the medieval era in Europe, the purse was an almost universal dress feature. But when tailors stitched the first pockets into men's trousers five hundred years ago, it ignited controversy and introduced a range of social issues that we continue to wrestle with today, from concealed pistols to gender inequality. See: #GiveMePocketsOrGiveMeDeath. Filled with incredible images, this microhistory of the humble pocket uncovers what pockets tell us about ourselves: How is it that putting your hands in your pockets can be seen as a sign of laziness, arrogance, confidence, or perversion? Walt Whitman's author photograph, hand in pocket, for Leaves of Grass seemed like an affront to middle-class respectability. When W.E.B. Du Bois posed for a portrait, his pocketed hands signaled defiant coolness. And what else might be hiding in the history of our pockets? (There's a reason that the contents of Abraham Lincoln's pockets are the most popular exhibit at the Library of Congress.) Thinking about the future, Carlson asks whether we will still want pockets when our clothes contain "smart" textiles that incorporate our IDs and credit cards. Pockets is for the legions of people obsessed with pockets and their absence, and for anyone interested in how our clothes influence the way we navigate the world.

To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick and How We Can Fight Back by Alden Wicker Many of us are aware of the ethical minefield that is fast fashion: the dodgy labour practices, the lax environmental standards, and the mountains of waste piling up on the shores of developing countries. But have you stopped to consider the dangerous effects your clothes are having on your own health? Award-winning journalist Alden Wicker breaks open a story hiding in plain sight: the unregulated toxic chemicals that are likely in your wardrobe right now, how they're harming you, and what you can do about it. In To Dye For, Wicker reveals how clothing manufacturers have successfully swept consumers' concerns under the rug for more than 150 years, and why synthetic fashion and dyes made from fossil fuels are so deeply intertwined with the rise of autoimmune disease, infertility, asthma, eczema, and more. In fact, there's little to no regulation of the clothes and textiles we wear each day - from uniforms to fast fashion, outdoor gear, and even the face masks that have become ubiquitous in recent years. Wicker explains how we got here, what the stakes are, and what all of us can do in the fight for a safe and healthy wardrobe for all.

Drag: The Complete Story by Simon Doonan

Naturally Tan by Tan France A USA Today Hottest Book of the Summer for 2019! A Best Nonfiction Book for 2019 in Woman's Day! One of Hello Giggles's "Most Anticipated Books of 2019 to Add to Your Reading List"! "Just when I thought I knew everything about Tan, he hits me with this. His story is so heartwarming, and wickedly funny." --Antoni Porowski In this heartfelt, funny, and touching memoir, one of the stars of Netflix's Emmy Award-winning smash-hit Queer Eye reveals how an Englishman raised in a traditionally religious home became a fashion icon--and the first openly gay, South Asian man on television--simply by being Naturally Tan. In this heartfelt, funny, touching memoir, Tan France tells his origin story for the first time. With his trademark wit, humor, and radical compassion, Tan reveals what it was like to grow up gay in a traditional South Asian family, as one of the few people of color in South Yorkshire, England. He illuminates his winding journey of coming of age, finding his voice (and style!), and marrying the love of his life--a Mormon cowboy from Salt Lake City. From one of the stars of Netflix's runaway hit show Queer Eye, Naturally Tan is so much more than fashion dos and don'ts--though of course Tan can't resist steering everyone away from bootcut jeans! Full of candid observations about U.S. and U.K. cultural differences, what he sees when you slide into his DMs, celebrity encounters, and the behind-the-scenes realities of "reality TV," Naturally Tan gives us Tan's unique perspective on the happiness to be found in being yourself. In Tan's own words, "The book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be."

The Golden Thread: How Fabric Changed History by Kassia St. Clair From colorful 30,000-year-old threads found on the floor of a Georgian cave to the Indian calicoes that sparked the Industrial Revolution, The Golden Thread weaves an illuminating story of human ingenuity. Design journalist Kassia St. Clair guides us through the technological advancements and cultural customs that would redefi ne human civilization--from the fabric that allowed mankind to achieve extraordinary things (traverse the oceans and shatter athletic records) and survive in unlikely places (outer space and the South Pole). She peoples her story with a motley cast of characters, including Xiling, the ancient Chinese empress credited with inventing silk, to Richard the Lionhearted and Bing Crosby. Offering insights into the economic and social dimensions of clothmaking--and countering the enduring, often demeaning, association of textiles as "merely women's work"--The Golden Thread offers an alternative guide to our past, present, and future.

Kicks: the Great American Story of the Sneaker by Nicholas Smith When the athletic shoe graduated from the beaches and croquet courts of the wealthy elite to streetwear ubiquity, its journey through the heart of American life was just getting started. In this rollicking narrative, Nicholas K. Smith carries us through the long twentieth century as sneakers became the totem of subcultures from California skateboarders to New York rappers, the cause of gang violence and riots, the heart of a global economic controversy, the lynchpin in a quest to turn big sports into big business, and the muse of high fashion. Studded with larger-than-life mavericks and unexpected visionaries--from genius rubber inventor, Charles Goodyear, to road-warrior huckster Chuck Taylor, to the feuding brothers who founded Adidas and Puma, to the track coach who changed the sport by pouring rubber in his wife's waffle iron---Kicksintroduces us to the sneaker's surprisingly influential, enduring, and evolving legacy.

Overdressed by Elizabeth L. Cline "Overdressed does for T-shirts and leggings what Fast Food Nation did for burgers and fries." --Katha Pollitt   Cheap fashion has fundamentally changed the way most Americans dress. Stores ranging from discounters like Target to traditional chains like JCPenny now offer the newest trends at unprecedentedly low prices. And we have little reason to keep wearing and repairing the clothes we already own when styles change so fast and it's cheaper to just buy more.   Cline sets out to uncover the true nature of the cheap fashion juggernaut. What are we doing with all these cheap clothes? And more important, what are they doing to us, our society, our environment, and our economic well-being?

Perfume: a Century of Scents by Lizzie Ostrom Signature scents and now-lost masterpieces; the visionaries who conceived them; the wild and wonderful campaigns that launched them; the women and men who wore them--every perfume has a tale to tell. Join Lizzie Ostrom on an olfactory adventure as she explores the trends and crazes that have shaped the way we've spritzed. One hundred perfumes and scents in all their fragrant glory reveal a fascinating social history of the past century. From the belle epoque through the swinging sixties, to the naughty nineties and beyond, Ostrom brings intelligence and wit to this most ravishing of subjects. There was the patriotic impact of English Lavender during World War I and perfumes that captured the Egyptomania of the 1920's. Estee Lauder created "Youth Dew" and with it, distilled the essence of 1950's suburbia. Patchouli Oil--the "anti-perfume" of the 1960s--was sure to keep money out of the hands of corporations and "the man." And who could forget the fervor created by the grunge androgyny of CK One? Scent is truly the passport to memory, making Perfume both a lush treat and an insightful examination of the twentieth century through the most mysterious of the five sense.

Fashion in Film by Christopher Laverty Fashion designers have been involved in movies since the early days of cinema. The result is some of the most eye-catching and influential costumes ever committed to film, from Ralph Lauren's trend-setting masculine style for Diane Keaton in Annie Hall to Audrey Hepburn's little black Givenchy dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's.Fashion in Film celebrates the contributions of fashion designers to cinema, exploring key garments, what they mean in context of the narrative, and why they are so memorable. Illustrated with beautiful film stills, fashion images and working sketches, this book will appeal to lovers of both fashion history and cinema.

Pantone on Fashion: a Century of Color in Design by Leatrice Eiseman; E. P. Cutler; Julien Tomasello (Other) Follow global color authority Pantone on this vivid journey through the rich history of color in fashion. Favorite hues and their appearances across the decades are profiled in informative text and copiously illustrated by runway photos and archival images. Track Bright Marigold from its heyday in the 1940s as Hermès' identifying hue to its showstopping appearance in Carolina Herrera's Spring/Summer 2013 collection, and trace Cyber Yellow from 1960s mod style to Anna Sui's 1990s punk-inspired looks. Complete with a survey of the industry-defining PANTONE Color of the Year, PANTONE on Fashion is the ultimate guide to the timeless shades the fashion world loves to love.

Contemporary Menswear: a Global Guide to Independent Men's Fashion by Nick Schonberger; Calum Gordon This is an essential reference to more than 50 international designers, brands, stores, blogs and websites that have shaped independent men's fashion over the last decade and will define its trends in the years ahead Menswear is now a respected, mature and yet highly creative part of the global fashion industry. From classic 'heritage' labels such as Albam Clothing through to dynamic, new labels such as Tellason, which set the fashion agenda for crafted, desirable denim or the clean, sartorially elegant lines of Won Hundred, the brands expertly selected and curated for this book represent the very best in a fast-changing international scene, be they the ones that create styles and set trends or those that innately understand how to sell and market menswear effectively. Packed with critical insight and opinion, this book sets out to cut through the PR gloss of so much fashion writing. Each of the brands represented includes a sharp, brief profile of the people behind the brand and its history to date. And to provide even greater depth, the book also features essays on the major trends in the menswear scene and interviews with some of its key, influential figures. Visually rich and encompassing the full range of apparel and accessories, including denim, workwear, outerwear, knitwear, shoes, bags, accessories and more, Contemporary Menswear is a source of inspiration and a must have 'look book' for all fashion designers, stylists, writers and students.

Creative Fashion Illustration: How to Develop Your Own Style by Stuart McKenzie Fashion illustration is skilful and inventive, and the best fashion illustrators can fulfil a brief creatively using their own unique approach. Visually-led and extremely accessible, this book is the go-to resource for anyone wanting to develop their own style. Easy-to-follow exercises are designed to build confidence and encourage experimentation as readers develop essential skills and learn simple and effective tips and tricks. With concise, accessible chapters on topics such as proportion, movement, line, shape and volume as well as sections on tricky areas such as hands and feet, Creative Fashion Illustration is essential reading for anyone looking to enhance their basic drawing skills. Whether coming to fashion illustration for the very first time, a student looking to develop their techniques and expand their portfolio, or even a more experienced illustrator looking for fresh ideas, this book is the ideal guide to imaginative fashion illustration that will stand out from the crowd.

Threads of Identity: Preserving Palestinian Costume and Heritage by Widad Kamel Kawar This book is a record of the 50 years Widad Kawar spent researching, collecting and preserving part of the heritage of Palestine. This endeavor evolved into the Widad Kawar Collection, the largest to date of Palestinian, Jordanian and other Arab traditional dress and accessories, comprising more than 2,000 items. In the following chapters she presents the story of how the collection evolved and she introduces the life stories of the women who produced the beautiful costumes it contains. For her, each item calls to mind an individual or a place: a wife, a mother, a daughter, a family, a house, a village, a town, a field, a market. Each item was worn on special occasions, happy and sad, that marked the owner's life. Much of Widad's knowledge stems from the personal narratives of these women whose embroidery and dress-making skills she so admires. With this book she pays homage to Palestinian women. Threads of Identity is a history of Palestinian women of the 20th century told through aspects of popular heritage, focusing on traditional dresses but also including textiles and rug weaving, rural and urban customs, cuisine, and festivities. The interviews with women who lived through the traumas and changes of the 20th century are a contribution to oral history, augmenting standard historical accounts. While most writing about the Middle East concentrates on politics, her book focuses on the dignity of ordinary people, and women in particular, bridging the gap between the major events of history and everyday life.

Consumed by Aja Barber Aja Barber's debut book, CONSUMED, asks you to change your consumer identity in order to be a part of a more equitable and sustainable future Aja Barber wants change. In the 'learning' first half of the book, she exposes you to the endemic injustices in our consumer industries and the uncomfortable history of the textile industry; one which brokered slavery, racism and today's wealth inequality. And how these oppressive systems have bled into the fashion industry and its lack of diversity and equality. She also reveals how we spend our money and whose pockets it goes into and whose it doesn't (clue: the people who do the actual work) and tells her story of how she came to learn the truth. In the second 'unlearning' half of the book, she helps you to understand the uncomfortable truth behind why you consume the way you do. She asks you to confront the sense of lack you have, the feeling that you are never quite enough and the reasons why you fill the aching void with consumption rather than compassion. And she makes you challenge this power disparity and take back ownership of it. The less you buy into the consumer culture the more power you have. CONSUMED offers urgent, life-changing consumer help.  

Denim Dudes by Amy Leverton Denim Dudes is a street style book with a difference. This richly illustrated title showcases over 80 metalheads punks, indie kids, rockabillies, bikers, hipsters, geeks, and other enthusiasts who are obsessed with denim. As well as talking to and featuring pieces key players in the global denim business, such as Henry Holland (House of Holland), Francois Girbaud (Merithé et Francois Girbaud), Adriano Goldschmied (The Godfather of Denim, Diesel, Evisu), and Kenichi and Kenji (Warehouse Japan), Denim Dudes also explores the very best and latest denim styling on the street. The photography has been shot exclusively for the book in the key international centres of denim, including Paris, Tokyo, London, New York, LA, Milan, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Barcelona, Osaka, Melbourne and Berlin. This inspirational title will appeal not just to designers and fashion professionals but to a public increasingly obsessed with the world of denim. It offers unrivalled insight into the stylish and sometimes eccentric 'dudes' involved in this fascinating and diverse industry.

Fabric for Fashion: the Complete Guide by Clive Hallett; Amanda Johnston Fabric For Fashion: The Complete Guide is the only book specifically for fashion designers to explain the behavior and properties of different fabrics. Fashion design is largely determined by how the fabrics work, move, feel and look. The most successful fashion designers are those who understand their materials, who match design skill with technical knowledge. This book bridges that gap by providing a mix of practical information and industry vocabulary, visually examining generic fabric types, discussing the characteristics of fabrics and showing how to exploit materials to push the boundaries of design. With stunning color photographs that show how fashion designers, both past and present, have worked with fabrics, the book's prime objective is to stimulate creative exploration of the relationship of fabrics to fashion.

Black Beauty: a History and a Celebration by Ben Arogundade; Herb Ritts (Text by)