This rich array of exquisite designs includes all the most popular Japanese motifs. Ferocious dragons with scaly skins; cranes with wide-spread wings; as well as tigers; phoenixes; and peacocks abound; so do lush peonies and many other flowers; plants; and animal designs. Geometric; abstract; and allover patterns are also included. More than 130 dazzling; royalty-free images -- reproduced from rare nineteenth-century portfolios -- are ideal for direct use in art and craft projects. Theyll also serve as a wondereful source of inspiration for any design work calling for authentic Japanese flavor.
#2829245 in eBooks 2013-04-24 2013-04-24File Name: B00A73AMFS
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A standout book on film costume historyBy Richard AdkinsThis is a valuable and must-have fashion-and-film reference book. Its only weakness stems from reading more like an academic thesis than a narrative history. Also; so much of the early book is invested in those citations that it is distracting when easily researched later occurring information is mistakenly cited. The author mentions Mitchell Leisen as a designer at Famous Players Lasky in "the 1910s" when it is easily discoverable that it was 1917 when Leisen contributed to "The Woman God Forgot." The author talks about the design approach at M-G-M in 1919; when that studio wasnt founded until 1924. The book rightly mentions Jetta Goudals fashion influence on her films; but wrongly cites "The Love Song" as a Goudal film; when that film was retitled "Valencia" with Mae Murray as the star. Goudal was notoriously difficult to work with and gave all her designers headaches. She alienated Natacha Rambova; Howard Greer; and Adrian with her interference and criticism. Speaking of Adrian; she cites the "pantsuit" he made for the climax of "Madam Satan" in 1930; when the garment is a gown; not a pantsuit. It is only a pantsuit in an illustration done by an unknown artist in the M-G-M publicity department; which makes me think the author didnt see the film. In the early chapters; it promised a chapter on the "star" designers as they developed in the late 1920s; but that chapter only dealt with Peggy Hamilton and Coco Chanel. But as the best and only book with this detail for this period of film this is an essential book. It was great to see the very earliest designers and wardrobe personnel given well-deserved credit; and the chapter on Hamilton was beyond great as she not only was a designer and actress; but was so very responsible for connecting the Hollywood designers to the commercial fashion world. I would definitely and highly recommend this book to anyone interested in fashion history; and specifically film fashion history. They should obtain and keep this book at hand. No history of film fashion has covered this period as well as this book; the closest is "When Broadway was the Runway" which tracks theatrical fashion history in comparison to then-contemporary fasion and Elizabeth Leeses "History of Costume Design in the Movies" which includes so many lesser known designers. This book is a tremendous research tool.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. As entertaining as it is informativeBy Richard TorregrossaAn absorbing read. Although this is a scholarly work; it is eminently readable; the prose lively and without a touch of the aridity often found in academic works; and the rare illustrations help bring the era to life. Dr. Finamore has broken new ground overlooked by scholars--the confluence of fashion and film during Hollywoods silent film era. Most fascinating is her detailing of the evolution of Hollywood as a purveyor of glamour and style that enthralled a public eager for sartorial guidance; particularly from glittering stars like Gloria Swanson; a phenomenon that is of course common today.But Hollywood Before Glamour is much more than that. It is far reaching and multi-faceted and will make a contribution to many fields; including film history; film theory; design studies; cultural landmarks; and the incipient power of marketing; which I found especially enlightening; something you dont find fully appreciated in books about early Hollywood.In a sense what MAD MEN is to advertising; this book is to the beginnings of Hollywood--a portal to the past; vivid and richly rendered; anecdotal and entertaining. It also charts the evolution of Hollywood fashion as a commodity; and Hollywoods shrewd realization that glamour and style could be commercialized; thus broadening its own cultural power base to go far beyond the silver screen by collaborating with international designers; retail outlets; department stores to launch the first runway shows; and ultimately creating a meme that helped grow the fashion as well as the film industry into what it is today.Much has been written (too much; in fact; if you ask me) about Hollywoods Golden Era and very little before that; which is why this book is so essential for anybody who is interested in learning about a cultural institution that dominates so much of our dreams and consciousness. FASHION SHOWS: An entry from Charles Scribners Sons Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion4 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Scholarly; Yet HumanBy AbecedariusA century ago; the film industry was nothing like the one we know now. Actors and actresses were ranked well below traditional stage professionals; and in the beginning; they even wore their own clothes. Finamore describes with authority and clarity the way the fashion industry grew to exert a stronger influence on the film industry; as the center of the fashion industry shifted away from Paris to Hollywood; and as masses of filmgoers grew to take their styling cues from what they saw on the silver screen. The book is not inexpensive; but there is nothing like it for the serious student of both the fashion and films industries; and as time goes by; its growing rarity--as it is tucked away on private library shelves--may make todays price a bargain.