Nancy L. Green offers a critical and lively look at New Yorkrsquo;s Seventh Avenue and the Parisian Sentier in this first comparative study of the two historical centers of the womenrsquo;s garment industry. Torn between mass production and "art;" this industry is one of the few manufactauring sectors left in the service-centered cities of today. Ready-to-Wear and Ready-to-Work tells the story of urban growth; the politics of labor; and the relationships among the many immigrant groups who have come to work the sewing machines over the last century.Green focuses on issues of fashion and fabrication as they involve both the production and consumption of clothing. Traditionally; much of the urban garment industry has been organized around small workshops and flexible homework; and Green emphasizes the effect this labor organization had on the men and mostly women who have sewn the garments. Whether considering the immigrant Jews; Italians; Puerto Ricans; Dominicans; and Chinese in New York or the Chinese-Cambodians; Turks; Armenians; and Russian; Polish; and Tunisian Jews in Paris; she outlines similarities of social experience in the shops and the unions; while allowing the voices of the workers; in all their diversity to be heard.A provocative examination of gender and ethnicity; historical conflict and consensus; and notions of class and cultural difference; Ready-to-Wear and Ready-to-Work breaks new ground in the methodology of comparative history.
#679061 in eBooks 2010-03-16 2010-03-16File Name: B00EE32C46
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful book; How many days until Christmas?By Anna StraightWith a husband and daughter who speak Cul-de-Sac-ese (most often when they dont want me to understand whats going on); it can be easy to forget that Richard Thompson is both Cul de Sac and so much more. This book is beautiful- full of fantastic images and text that help all those who love Richard Thompsons art to see the larger breadth of his style and subject. How wonderful to have the Christmas shopping for my husband completed in one easy click....6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Thank you to all who brought this book together!By Katherine M. DouglasIt is a lovely book. It is also a very informative book--so much there on process; thinking; and the requirements of each type of art/illustration. We have recommended it to high school art classes as a resource because of its depth and the quality of the color plates.On a personal note; the characters from Cul de Sac are integrated into my familys daily take on life--as though they are cousins. Having memorized all of Richard Thompsons previous books; it was a wonderful surprise to be surprised by all art in this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Master artistBy James A. McleanA versital master illustrator who combines wit and high intelligence with an astonishing level of drawing skill. His range of visual exploration is exceptional..everything from high quality caricatures; to the production of a daily comic strip.