DOC Fashions and Costumes from Godey's Lady's Book: Including 8 Plates in Full Color (Dover Fashion and Costumes) by Stella Blum in Arts-Photography

Description

A unique fashion image developed in mid nineteenth-century America reflecting the influences of Queen Victoria; the court of Napoleon III and American adaptions of European designs; many of the stylish silhouettes that emerged from this spirited era are still admired today.This book presents a fashion parade of authentic ladies and childrens styles from the most influential womens magazine of the period mdash; Godeys Ladys Book mdash; which presented both original fashions and adaptations from European publications.Over 400 striking designs; including 42 figures in full color; were chosen for this volume from a selection of rare issues (1837ndash;1869) of Godeys by Stella Blum; director of Kent State University Museum and former curator of the Costume Institute at New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art.Among the many beautiful illustrations reproduced here are morning dresses; walking suits; riding outfits; ball gowns; capes; childrens costumes; plus hairstyles and a full array of accessories mdash; shoes; bonnets; gloves; muffs; fans; walking sticks; and more. Captions detail the rich fabrics; color schemes; and decorative trims of this gallery of vintage attire.The illustrations offer a panoramic view of evolving styles from Victorian 1940s outfits with severe high necklines; elongated bodices; and bonnets designed to keep the wearers eyes looking chastely ahead; to 1950s adaptations of French haute couture featuring ornate gowns widened with hoopskirts and elaborately trimmed with lace; ribbons; fringes; and feathers; to 1860s garb in which skirts narrowed and graceful trains replaced the hoopskirt.Costume and culture historians; clothing designers and illustrators will find the work a valuable reference to clothing designs of the period and a fascinating look back at mid-Victorian couture.