3 Review(s)

This engaging picture-and-text book explores the art and legacy of the cinematic costume designer, starting with the birth of the modern motion picture industry on a prime piece of California real estate known as Hollywood. Readers will discover how film clothing evolved from actors selecting items from their home wardrobes... to outfits customized for their roles: Everything from suits of armour to ball gowns to office attire to lingerie, created by a studio designer and a dedicated staff of costumers. They will also encounter the actress from each decade who displayed a distinct fashion sense, on and off the screen, women who made a costumer's job less demanding by embodying the character and evoking the time, place and circumstances the designer wishes to portray. "Feature spreads" throughout the chronological chapters include: Style makers, offering closeup biogs of the legendary designers and showcasing their most outstanding creations; Style trends, exploring the social movements and cultural phenomena that affected movie costumes and further influenced how the world - dressed; Album of trendsetters highlighting Oscar fashions and introducing the fans' favourite Blondes, Brunettes and Redheads; Men of the Decade shows how male actors used fashion - contemporary, historical or futuristic - to create a character or enhance ambience. Ultimately, Hollywood Fashion will leave readers with a wider understanding of film costuming and an increased appreciation for the men and women who clothed the stars - and made the spellbinding world of the Hollywood cinema memorable.