20th Century Fashion, The Complete Sourcebook

A detailed history and sourcebook of 20th-century fashion. From the styles of the early 1900s to those of today, John Peacock charts the development of women's fashion in all its aspects: couture wear, day wear, under-wear, leisure wear, evening wear, bridal wear and accessories. Fashion's greatest international designers and designs are all found here: Worth's visiting dresses, Poiret's and Chanel's suits, Balenciaga's classic gowns, Dior's New Look, Mary Quant's mini-dresses; right up to designs from Vivienne Westwood, Christian Lacroix, Calvin Klein and many others. Photography could never capture so faithfully the dazzling variety of these designs. John Peacock's research has allowed him to reproduce in detail their lines, shapes, weaves, pattems and colours. Arranged by decade, the pictures are accompanied by descriptions of each garment and accessory, including fabric, cut and pattem. The reference section includes a time-chart summarizing the development of fashion and dress-shapes, biographies of couturiers and designers, and a bibliography.

John Peacock was for several years senior costume designer for BBC Television and is now Head of Costume for BBC, Pebble Mill, Birmingham. He has also written Fashion Sketchbook 1920-1960 (1977) and Costume 1066-1966 (1986), both published by Thames and Hudson.