Beautiful garments photographed in exquisite color and detail. It is a feast for the eyes even for those who aren't fascinated by fashion history. For us, it is breathtaking! ( )

Exquisite photography ( )

This is quite possibly the best photo reference of historic costume that I have ever seen. The sheer number of originals displayed is nearly unbelievable. Like other amateur costume historians I've spent plenty of time squinting at those tiny pictures available on various websites or pouring over the tiny Kyoto Institute book that Taschen had put out previously. This set of books blows them all away. ( )

Sumptuous photography of extent Western fashion from the 18th - 20th centuries in the collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute. The later quarter of the book contains fashion by Japanese designers who were previously unknown to me. Chapters include: 18th century; 19th century; 20th century - first half; 20th century - second half. (Appendices: Designers and Fashion Houses, Glossary, Bibliography, Index of Names.) Beautiful visual reference, detailed enough to be very useful, ( )

If you are in need, or want of a GREAT image clothing reference book from the late 18th Century (Regency) to the 19th Century (Victorian) in addition to the 20th Century (Modern), then 'Fashion' by Kyoto Costume Institute should be it. The images are beautiful, professional and the volume is dense. Over 700 pages thick! There are a few period painting reference images, but most of the book is Hi-res (gorgeous) museum quality photographs of authentic vintage clothing, styled and draped on mannequins, making it easy for the viewer to imagine how the clothing must have looked as they were worn during their time. Page after page of photographs, yummy!

Furthermore, it has some close up shots for those who are in need or want more fabric detail. Most of the clothing are women apparel (including their hats and jewelry for the all-over-effect). However, it has many men garments too. This includes a few lone images of authentic vintage corsets, bustles, gloves, slippers, shoes, hats, stocking, and other (male & female) accessories also... Even so, its main focus is the clothing. The book is fairly large in width and depth, and a tad bit heavy too, so viewing it from your lap nearly engulfs and pulls you into a delightful visual feast. `Fashion' is low on words but high on images. Each image has a good paragraph or two detailing each garment's history, make, year and any other special details are explained as well. Perfect for the fashion historians, fashion design students, 3D clothing creators, clothing history enthusiast, vintage clothing collectors, history art illustrators, artists and just the plain curious. It's also a marvelous visual tool for those who like to "read or write" historical novels or literature and need that added detail for the visual effects.

I own several clothing reference books, but if I had found this book first I could have saved a lot time and money. If you only need or can afford one clothing reference book, I'd highly recommend this one above all others.

*NOTE* This book covers only the Western parts of the world of historical fashion, (Europe, Americas..etc). ( )