Costume and Fashion: A Concise History (Sixth) (World of Art)

An authoritative account of the history of fashion and costume from prehistoric times to today. From the momentous invention of the needle some 40,000 years ago to the development of blue denim, from Neolithic weavers to the biggest names in the fashion industry today, this classic guide covers the landmarks of costume history. Costume and Fashion explores the forms and materials used in fashion through the ages, the underlying motives of fashion, and the ways in which clothes have been used to protect, express identity, and attract or influence others. This updated sixth edition features a new foreword and concluding chapter by Amy de la Haye and a new discussion about the major political shifts within the fashion industry, highlighting how it has responded to issues surrounding racism and sexism, LGBTQIA rights, mental health awareness, body and age diversity, and global sustainability. Generously illustrated with paintings, drawings, and photographs, and with a new angle on the emergence of ethical fashion, Costume and Fashion feels more current than ever. "From the momentus invention of the needle some 40,000 years ago to the development of blue denim, from Neolithic weavers to the biggest names in the fashion industry today - this classic guide covers the landmarks of costume history, the forms and materials used through the ages, the underlying motives of fashion and the ways in which clothes have been used to protect, to express identity, and to attract or to influence others. This sixth edition features a new foreword and concluding chapter by Amy de la Haye. The book is brought right up to date with a discussion about the major political shifts within the fashion industry, highlighting how it has responded to issues surrounding racism and sexism; LGBTQIA+ rights; mental health awareness; body and age diversity and global sustainability." --Provided by publisher From the invention of the needle some 40,000 years ago to the development of blue denim, from Neolithic weavers to the biggest names in the fashion industry today, this classic guide covers the landmarks of costume history, the forms and materials used through the ages, the underlying motives of fashion and the ways in which clothes have been used to protect, to express identity, and to attract or to influence others. This sixth edition features a new foreword and concluding chapter by Amy de la Haye that brings the story of fashion right up to date, discussing major political shifts within the fashion industry in the twenty-first century that have led to a new focus on tackling racism and sexism; LGBTQIA+ rights; mental health awareness; body and age diversity and global sustainability