Fashion Victims is a richly illustrated and chilling exploration of how clothing has caused illness, injury, and even death throughout history. The book reveals how seemingly harmless garments have harbored hidden dangers, from mercury-laced hats and arsenic-infused dresses to crinolines that could catch fire. Through a blend of historical accounts and surviving fashion objects, the author, Matthews David, examines the gruesome side of fashion for women, men, and children.

The book delves into notorious examples, such as the louse-infested military uniforms, the fiery deaths of Oscar Wilde’s half-sisters, and dancer Isadora Duncan’s fatal scarf accident. It also highlights how the production and wearing of certain clothes have harmed not just people but also animals and the environment.

Spanning from Greek mythology to modern times, Fashion Victims uncovers the darker aspects of apparel, making the reader reconsider the hidden costs of fashion. With over 125 vivid illustrations, this work serves as a remarkable resource for scholars, students, and fashion enthusiasts alike, offering a gripping journey through the lethal history of dress and the often overlooked consequences of our sartorial choices.

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This nonfiction book delves into the hazardous history of fashion, revealing how style has sometimes led to pain, injury, and even death. From tight corsets and flammable fabrics to toxic hair dyes and deadly factory conditions, the book explores various instances where fashion proved dangerous. Historical examples like the Radium Girls, who suffered from radiation poisoning while painting watch dials, and the mercury-poisoned Mad Hatters highlight the dark side of fashion’s allure. The book also sheds light on modern-day factory accidents, emphasizing that those who make clothes are often the first victims of unsafe practices.

Co-authored by Dr. Alison Matthews-David, a scholar in textile history, and Serah-Marie McMahon, founder of WORN Fashion Journal, this book is both informative and chilling. It combines historical anecdotes, scientific content, and eerie stories with stylish illustrations to create an engaging read for children aged 9 to 12. The book includes nonfiction features like sidebars, sources, an index, and a list of further reading, supporting critical literacy skills and encouraging deeper research. With a mix of fashion history and cautionary tales, this book offers a fascinating yet frightening look at the risks people have taken in the name of style.

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Dress Codes by Richard Thompson Ford is a captivating exploration of how fashion has shaped societies throughout history. The book delves into the significance of dress codes, illustrating how clothing has served as a powerful tool for social and political control. Ford traces this phenomenon from medieval times, where attire was a clear marker of social hierarchy, to Tudor England, where luxurious fabrics like silk and velvet were reserved for nobility, and even to Renaissance Florence, where Cosimo de Medici famously remarked on the transformative power of clothing.

The narrative highlights how dress codes have evolved alongside societal changes, often reflecting deeper struggles for power and status. For example, the 1700s saw laws like South Carolina’s “Negro Act,” which restricted Black people from dressing “above their condition,” while the 1920s and 1940s in the United States witnessed dress code-related conflicts, such as the workplace bans on flapper fashion and the racially charged riots over zoot suits.

Ford also examines the modern implications of dress codes, noting that even in today’s more casual society, they continue to influence our lives. Whether through explicit rules or unspoken norms, what we wear still affects our social mobility and professional opportunities. He points out how Silicon Valley’s casual attire standards, for instance, set a tone that can lead to biases against those who dress more formally.

In Dress Codes, Ford offers a “deeply informative and entertaining” history of fashion laws, encouraging readers to rethink the seemingly superficial world of clothing. Through this historical lens, he reveals the profound impact dress codes have on shaping identities and societies, making us reconsider the simple act of getting dressed.

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Hatlines is the Nederlandse Hoeden Vereniging (NHV)’s quarterly glossy magazine distributed to all its members. Packed with diverse content, each issue includes regular sections featuring an agenda of hat and fashion events, both locally and internationally. It provides insights into techniques, offers shopping tips for hat designers, and includes numerous interviews, photo reports covering hat events, updates on the Dutch Hat Association’s activities, and more. Hatlines is available in both Dutch and English editions.

If you wish to receive Hatlines automatically every quarter, consider becoming a member of the NHV. Membership ensures you stay connected with the latest in hat fashion, techniques, and the vibrant community within the Dutch Hat Association.

This is a privately curated list of millinery books showing millinery techniques, fashion photography and biographies.  Thank you for browsing this collection, your support of using these resources allows us to continue to develop and expand the offerings from Millinery.Info. 

Marianne Jongkind’s comprehensive guide on hat-making techniques, “Hat Couture,” is a valuable resource for enthusiasts at all skill levels, from novices to experienced designers. The handbook features 22 hat projects, each explained with step-by-step clarity through detailed photos.

With a remarkable career spanning almost six decades, Marianne Jongkind has significantly influenced the Dutch millinery scene. Over the past 30 years, she has not only designed numerous hats for Dutch couturiers but has also played a pivotal role in shaping the skills of prominent Dutch hat designers, earning her the title of the ‘Grande Dame’ of the Dutch hat world.

Having worked with couturiers since the late 1980s, Marianne meticulously compiled work folders containing sketches, fabric pieces, and photos of unique projects. Drawing from her extensive archive, she has curated this book, showcasing some of her favorite designs. “Hat Couture” offers a detailed exploration of the various techniques employed in these creations.

This book is published by HatMags in Dutch and English.

This is a privately curated list of millinery books showing millinery techniques, fashion photography and biographies.  Thank you for browsing this collection, your support of using these resources allows us to continue to develop and expand the offerings from Millinery.Info.

For aspiring milliners venturing into bridal headdress design, this book provides a comprehensive guide. Catering to both beginners and those with more advanced skills, it covers everything from choosing the right wires to crafting bases and employing intricate decorative techniques. Authored by Denise Innes-Spencer, a nominee for the ‘British Bridal Awards’ and the Creative Director of the British School of Millinery, the book offers detailed, illustrated instructions for various projects. Whether working with wires, knitted wire, beads, diamante, or more, readers will gain valuable insights. Under Innes-Spencer’s guidance, aspiring milliners can embark on the journey to create exquisite headdresses, ensuring they are well-equipped to bring their creative visions to life.

In her 70 years of power, Queen Elizabeth II has etched her place in history, gracefully navigating the twists of the past century while donning various roles – both literal and symbolic. “The Hats of the Queen” by Thomas Pernette delves into this intriguing journey.

In 1933, a young Elizabeth sits alongside her grandfather, King George V, adorned in a round, pink hat with floral hemming. Fast forward to 2020, amid the global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the sovereign wears a remarkably similar hat. These two images, captured nearly a century apart, encapsulate a rich tapestry of politics, diplomacy, and fashion, vividly recounted in the pages of this book. “The Hats of the Queen” offers a captivating exploration of Queen Elizabeth II’s life and times through the lens of her iconic accessories, with a foreword by royal correspondent Alastair Bruce.

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Envision the scene as a Christian Dior haute couture show approaches. In the Paris studio, John Galliano collaborates silently with his ally, master milliner Stephen Jones. Galliano examines the silhouette’s arc, the skirt’s drape, and the hat’s tilt. ‘I often work through a mirror for most of my decisions and I always see Stephen’s reflection,’ says Galliano. ‘He is reading my every nuance. I don’t need to say anything – he can read my mind,’ recounts Suzy Menkes in her essay. The first monograph on Stephen Jones, ‘Stephen Jones & the Accent of Fashion,’ features striking photographs from his illustrious career, showcasing collaborations with Boy George and insights into his work with designers like John Galliano and Thierry Mugler. With a preface by John Galliano and contributions from fashion authorities like Hamish Bowles, Suzy Menkes, and Anna Piaggi, this book offers a visual feast with 200 color illustrations.

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Philip Treacy, renowned as one of the globe’s most celebrated and influential milliners, has crafted hats for top fashion houses, celebrities, and international royalty. His hand-made creations are testament to exceptional craftsmanship. Treacy’s unparalleled skill has earned him the role of the preferred milliner for designers such as Alexander McQueen, Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino, and Chanel. Notably, he is the first milliner to receive an invitation for his own show during Paris couture week.

Despite his intensely private nature, Treacy has allowed photographer Kevin Davies, a close friend of the designer for over two decades, exclusive access to document his creative process and fantastical studio. The result is a captivating collection of over 200 photographs capturing intimate moments with Treacy working alone, alongside his muses, or fitting his iconic creations. Accompanied by anecdotes and insights from both Treacy and Davies, this book unveils the extraordinary world and creative genius of a highly influential figure in the realm of millinery.

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This is a privately curated list of millinery books showing millinery techniques, fashion photography and biographies.  This link tracks to Amazon on which the curator is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases and is listed that it is an “Amazon Associate Link”.  Thank you for browsing this collection, your support of using these resources allows us to continue to develop and expand the offerings from Millinery.Info.