Search

The first book to consider the subject, Wholesale Couture: London and Beyond, 1930-70 seeks to revise the notion that wholesale couturiers were simply copyists and demonstrate the complexities of their design processes and business strategies. This term has fallen out of usage; however, it was used to describe the pinnacle of the British ready-to-wear fashion industry between the 1930s and 1960s. Companies within this sector have typically been recognised as creators of high-quality copies of French haute couture, using ready-to-wear techniques.Liz Tregenza traces wholesale couture garments from concept to usage, considering design, manufacture, branding, promotion, retail and export. She looks beyond the garments produced and investigates the people behind these firms, consequently demonstrating the significant role that largely Jewish immigrants played in the development and success of this industry. The book also considers the wider social and economic factors that affected manufacturers and consumers; the effect of austerity, rationing and the Utility scheme, and the pressing need for wholesale couturiers to export their products internationally. It demonstrates that 1946 was a critical year for re-building and re-imagining the London fashion industry and that wholesale couturiers were at the centre of these developments. Furthermore, it reveals the impact of changing consumer purchasing power, including the burgeoning youth market, for fashion manufacturers. Offering a new perspective on British fashion history, Wholesale Couture demonstrates that these couturiers were vital in cementing London's status as a ready-to-wear fashion centre.

Bestselling author Claire Shaeffer teaches you everything you need to know to plan and sew the perfect jacket. Based on couture techniques learnt from master tailors, this book begins with the equipment, materials, design elements, and sewing and construction techniques used in all types of tailoring. Part Two provides an illustrated step-by-step guide to making a couture jacket, explaining all the design options and alternative methods for making every element including collars, sleeves and pockets.Couture Tailoring includes over 800 step-by-step illustrations throughout, over 200 photographs of couture jackets by Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and more than 100 couture tips.Any aspiring tailor must have this book in their fashion library.

Excerpt from Guillaume Couture: Premier Colon de la Pointe-Levy (Lauzon) (Classic Reprint)Il y aura bientôt trois cents ans, au printemps de 1647, la rive sud de notre beau fleuve St. Laurent accueillait son premier colon, Guillaume couture. Bravant les menaces des Iroquois, il venait y faire sa trouée dans la forêt vierge et y bâtir sa maison, face à la cité naissante de Champlain.

Learn the tailoring techniques and sewing secrets of such renowned designers as Chanel, Dior, and Balenciaga. Couture Sewing: Tailoring Techniques is a complete sewing workshop packaged in a DVD and book ensemble. Get an insider's view of the couture industry. Author and fashion expert Claire B. Shaeffer shares garment tailoring techniques, construction methods, and even short cuts used in the finest European ateliers of Paris, Rome and London. Lessons come alive in the 90-minute DVD. Shaeffer presents viewers with an in-depth tailoring workshop, demonstrating key techniques such as converting darts to ease, creating a patch pocket, interfacing a hem, stitching a fly zipper, and making a bound buttonhole. The companion book reinforces the instruction with step-by-step images of each technique. Whether you're seeking advice on high-fashion sewing techniques or you want to take your skills to the next level, Couture Sewing: Tailoring Techniques fits like a finely tailored suit.

The devil is in the details. After spending weeks creating a couture, Chanel-inspired suit it would be a shame to skimp on the trim. Chanel collector and couture sewing expert Claire B. Shaeffer returns with Couture Sewing: Making Designer Trims to teach you everything you need to know to create and attach the perfect trim to any outfit.Professional instruction from a renowned fashion expert. This book with DVD set presents the know-how and design-atelier secrets that Shaeffer has developed after a lifetime of collecting and studying Chanel and other couture garments. • With more than 280 photos paired with step-by-step instruction, Shaeffer takes the mystery out of creating designer trims.• A 136-minute sewing workshop allows you to sew along with Shaeffer to achieve professional results. • The Garment Index offers a sneak-peak into Shaeffer's amazing couture collection and features unique designs by Davidow, Lagerfeld, Herrera, Jablow, and Chanel herself. One outfit, many looks. Learn how to easily swap out one trim for another when you want a fresh look without creating a whole new garment. Among other skills, you'll learn how to:• Topstitch like a pro to achieve a simple yet elegant trim• Apply ribbons, prairie points, piping, bands, and braids• Create intricate seamed, lining, and facing trims• Make your very own cord-filled piping and crocheted trimsThe perfect finish to the perfect suit. Paired with Shaeffer's previous books Couture Sewing: The Couture Cardigan Jacket (The Taunton Press, 2013) and Couture Sewing: The Couture Skirt (The Taunton Press, 2015), you'll be able to create the perfect Chanel-inspired suit of your dreams.

Ce livre retrace le développement socioéconomique et culturel de l'activité de haute couture à travers l'histoire, depuis les précurseurs, les célèbres'marchands de modes'de l'Ancien Régime, puis le premier couturier au sens moderne du terme, Charles F. Worth. Remarquablement documenté, il s'intéresse à tous les acteurs de l'industrie de la création, à ses métiers, à ses instances représentatives, qui ont façonné une véritable exception française. Il est l'occasion, tout en évoquant l'histoire stylistique de la mode, de constater l'impact des'artisans du Beau'sur la société tout entière ; et de montrer comment la haute couture actuelle, entre tradition et innovation, demeure un enjeu économique majeur par son image d'excellence à l'international. Préface d'Alexis Mabille

Sew a signature skirt for yourself. An expert on Chanel's clothing, Claire B. Shaeffer shares her unique insider-expertise of the couture industry. In her latest book, Couture Sewing: The Couture Skirt, she takes home sewers through each detailed step required to cut, fit, stitch, and construct a perfect designer-quality couture skirt. Professional instruction from a renowned fashion expert! This book with DVD set presents the know how and design-atelier secrets to replicate the iconic Chanel faux-wrap skirt. The DVD offers a 90-minute comprehensive sewing workshop like Shaeffer's in-person smash hit, sell-out sewing classes. Features more than 200 photographs, plus step-by-step instruction on couture-specific construction methods. The companion DVD demonstrates essential sewing and construction techniques, professional tricks and shortcuts, and a careful study of existing Chanel skirts and suits (from Shaeffer's impressive couture collection). Learn couture sewing techniques--used by professional designers and in European design ateliers--ideal for serious sewers, beginners seeking inspiration, and fashion mavens. High-style for beginners and serious sewers. Find inspiration in Coco Chanel's classic, elegant style and learn impeccable construction secrets, characteristics of the Chanel skirt, the details which distinguish a couture skirt, and master traditional couture sewing skills: Fabrics Linings Waistbands Seam finishes and Details Planning the Skirt Layout and Mark, and much more From the skirt to the iconic Chanel suit. With Shaeffer's previous must-read Couture Sewing: The Couture Cardigan Jacket (The Taunton Press, 2013) you will be able to create your own complete Chanel suit with a beautiful fit and finish!

Hankie Couture creator Marsha Greenberg's expertise is transforming vintage pieces into one-of-a-kind doll fashions. Now you can make them too!Doll Couture is a stunningly original collection of fashions for 18-inch dolls—everything from dresses to pants and shoes—meticulously crafted from vintage handkerchiefs, table cloths, tea towels, laces, embroidered linens, pillowcases, table runners, and more. It will inspire you to unleash your imagination in transforming your own treasured heirlooms or colorful flea-market finds into one-of-a-kind fashion ensembles.

Oscar Pellegrini is a talented fashion designer with a deadly enemy: his own critical mind. He destroys much of what he designs and has been drifting for years, gradually retreating from the fashion business he loves but holding on to his dreams of success. A chance meeting with a former girlfriend triggers a creative crisis so deep that Oscar escapes to Russia, where he drinks and despairs like never before. Just when he thinks he has lost everything he discovers a magical machine that turns ordinary outfits into irresistible sartorial triumphs. Oscar takes the machine back to Italy – and before he knows it, he has become famous for his designs, and celebrities and socialites are fighting to be first to wear his gorgeous garments. But the happily-ever-after ending for the fashion messiah turns into a nightmare when his dresses acquire a life of their own, gaining energy and evil as time goes on. Haunted by his creations, a dark secret he is no longer able to hide, Oscar finds himself fighting for his life and sanity, and searching for the answer to a question he never knew existed. Is there such a thing as stolen genius, and if there is, can it turn against the very person who stole it?

Make this signature jacket for yourself. Coco Chanel's designs have captivated the imaginations of fashion lovers for generations. Now, with The Couture Cardigan Jacket, home sewers can create their own high-fashion jackets with the impeccable look and fine detailing of the iconic original. Renowned instructor Claire B. Shaeffer reveals designer secrets.This book and DVD set provides you with the behind-the-scenes information and design-atelier secrets that have made author Claire B. Shaeffer's sewing classes famous. The DVD walks you through Claire's legendary sewing workshop. The companion book explains construction methods and garment details. Learn the fine art of couture sewing. With The Couture Cardigan Jacket, you will be able to follow all the steps involved in replicating the characteristics of this signature jacket, including: Cutting and shaping the jacket sections Sewing princess seaming Setting the sleeve Adding the chain weight Creating the double buttonhole From the skirt to the iconic Chanel suit. With Shaeffer's must-read Couture Sewing: The Couture Skirt (The Taunton Press, 2015) you will be able to create your own complete Chanel suit with a beautiful fit and finish!

The DIY Couture collection is 10 stylish, easy to make pieces of clothing that can be endlessly reinvented in different fabrics, textures and colours. Anyone who enjoys sewing and creating something unique will love using this book to make their own couture wardrobe.The book begins with a Useful Techniques section, followed by Collections: inspirational photographs of the pieces styled different ways. Next, each of the 10 garments, from a Goddess dress to a cool romper suit and hoody, is clearly explained, including a spread showing all the variations (e.g. fastenings, necklines and hems) possible for each garment. Finally, clear step by step illustrations and photographs show you how each piece is made. With no complex sewing patterns, even beginners at sewing can make their own beautiful clothes. With simple, visual instructions and cool styling, DIY Couture will inspire people to join the handmade revolution. Where eco-fashion meets street style, this is the antithesis of fast-fashion. Absolutely no patterns required!

The DIY Couture collection features 10 stylish, easy to make pieces of clothing that can be endlessly reinvented in different fabrics, textures, and colors. Anyone who enjoys sewing and creating something unique will love using this book to make their own couture wardrobe. The book begins with Useful Techniques, followed by Collections: inspirational photographs of the pieces styled different ways. Next, each of the 10 garments, from skirts and dresses to a cool romper suit and hoody, are clearly explained, including a spread showing all possible variations (e.g. fastenings, necklines, and hems) possible for each garment. Finally, clear step-by-step illustrations and photographs show how each piece is made. With no complex sewing patterns, even beginners can make beautiful clothes. With simple, visual instructions and cool styling, DIY Couture will inspire people to join the handmade revolution. Where eco-fashion meets street style, this is the antithesis of fast-fashion. Absolutely no patterns required!

Play dress-up with your art!Collage has never been so fashionable! In Collage Couture you'll learn how to sketch fashion figures, create stylish dresses from patterned paper and apply a variety of textured backgrounds to your collage pieces. With styles ranging from cute to elegant and sweet to sophisticated, these mixed-media projects will transport your art from the studio to the runway!Collage Couture features: • 22 super-pretty projects, from collages on canvas to framed shadowbox art to gifts for your fashionista. Play with your materials—paper, paints, ink and markets—to create pieces you'll be happy to display and share. • Illustrations and easy instruction for creating fashion sketches and silhouettes. And don't forget the details: learn how to add eyes, lips, hair and, of course, clothing! • Tips and advice on setting the mood in your studio, from enhancing your art space with flowers and china to wearing a tiara as your work! Why not feel as pretty as your art?Indulge your inner girly-girl with Collage Couture!

What isHankie Couture? A stunningly original collection of doll-sized fashions--everything from pajamas to wedding gowns--meticulously crafted from vintage handkerchiefs. Accented with slyly witty Hankie Couture girl'philosophy,'this book is a stylish showcase of 125 unique fashions and accessories. It is also a how-to guide that allows you to transform treasured heirlooms or colorful flea-market finds into one-of-a-kind fashion ensembles. Whether it's a floral sundress that fans out as it twirls, an apron dress with a scalloped border, or a neatly pin-tucked linen dress with pearl buttons, the book encompasses a seemingly infinite variety of exquisite dresses. Neither crafters nor doll collectors have ever seen a book like this, making Hankie Couture a uniquely irresistible challenge to crafters. And with its beautiful design and kitschy lifestyle advice, this makes a great gift book.

Following Argentina's revolution in 1810, the dress of young patriots inspired a nation and distanced its politics from the relics of Spanish colonialism. Fashion writing often escaped the notice of authorities, allowing authors to masquerade political ideas under the guise of frivolity and entertainment. In Couture and Consensus, Regina A. Root maps this pivotal and overlooked facet of Argentine cultural history, showing how politics emerged from dress to disrupt authoritarian practices and stimulate creativity in a newly independent nation.

Cool Couture is a home sewer's guide to professional, designer-quality construction and finishing. Fashion designer Kenneth King provides step-by-step instruction in the basic, reliable techniques of classical couture. He provides his own shortcuts, careful instruction, and advice to help home sewers of every level produce impeccable results. Each technique is presented with simple how-to drawings and detailed step-by-step instruction. Fashion-forward photographs of the designer's own couture garments and tight shots of fabrics and construction and decorative detail show the finished effects. This book is an essential reference book of couture techniques for home sewers.