Fashion

Feeling less than fabulous as winter approaches? Take a look at one of these library titles below for some inspiration. It's the most fashionable time of the year! Enjoy the freedom to experiment with layering new textures and shapes in your outfits, try a new hairstyle, or wear a color you normally don't. Life can be pretty serious. Fashion is one area where fun can reign, and that's why I love it! See the picks below for starters, but these barely scrape the surface of the fashion oriented materials ICPL has to offer. Kanopy, ICPL's free streaming service for residents of Iowa City, Hills, Lone Tree, University Heights, and rural Johnson County also offers many fashion-oriented documentaries unavailable on DVD. (If you search "Videofashion Collection" on Kanopy, you will find a treasure trove of runway shows from the last ten plus years. If you dig deeper, you can find some amazing footage from the 1980s and 90s.)

Dior Images : Paolo Roversi.

Paolo Roversi

779.092 /Roversi
Art / Art History

"Presenting photographs from British Vogue, Vogue Paris, and W, this tome spotlights creations by Dior's artistic directors Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. It also contains exclusive pictures from a photoshoot supervised by Grace Coddington featuring designs by Christian Dior himself. Equal parts fashion monograph and photographic portfolio..."--From publisher's website.

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I've always loved the House of Dior - ever since watching "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris" as a kid. Dior is dreamy, and so are these photographs of Dior couture.
- Heidi K

Little black dress

André Leon Talley

391.00904 /Talley
Art / Art History

"A celebratory tribute to the iconic little black dress and its deeply resonant cultural and social significance in the modern era ... Features an impeccable group of more than 80 dresses from many of the most eminent fashion houses"--Book jacket.

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Black is not boring! I love how this book allows design and silhouettes to take center stage since the color of every garment shown is the same. This book is a beautiful love letter to the LBD by my favorite style icon: André Leon Talley
- Heidi K

Guru

1960- author RuPaul

BIOGRAPHY RuPaul
Biographies, Art / Art History

"A timeless collection of philosophies from renaissance performer and the world's most famous shape-shifter RuPaul, whose sage outlook has created an unprecedented career for more than thirty-five years. GuRu is packed with more than 80 beautiful photographs that illustrate the concept of building the life you want from the outside in and the inside out. As someone who has deconstructed life's hilarious facade, RuPaul has broken "the fourth wall" to expand on the concept of mind, body, and spirit. This unique perspective has allowed RuPaul to break the shackles of self-imposed limitations, but reader beware, this is a daily practice that requires diligence and touchstones to keep you walking in the sunshine of the spirit. Once you're willing to look beyond the identity that was given to you, a hidden world of possibilities will open its doors. Throughout the history of humans on this planet, there've always been shaman, seers, and mediums who are able to interpret both high and low frequencies and remind humans to look beyond the surface for the truth of who we really are. And who we really are is an extension of the power that created the universe (aka: God in drag). FYI: most people are not willing to hear or accept that. That is RuPaul's secret for success, not only in show business, but in all aspects of life, especially in navigating the emotional landmines that inhibit most sweet, sensitive souls." --

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Ru always makes me smile on TV, and this book is a good antidote if you find yourself in a dismal mood. It features many nuggets of Ru wisdom, and great stories from Ru's career.
- Heidi K

The September issue : Anna Wintour and the making of Vogue

DVD 391.2 September
Documentary

A behind-the-scenes look at Vogue magazine (U.S.) as editor-and-chief Anna Wintour and her staff prepare the September 2007 issue.

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Older, but still a fun fashion documentary to check out for some vanity viewing! Fans of America's Next Top Model will enjoy it.
- Heidi K

Fashion tribes : global street style

Daniele Tamagni

779.2 /Tamagni
Art / Art History

In 'Fashion tribes', award-winning photographer Daniele Tamagni has tracked down and recorded some of the most surprising and colorful international fashion subcultures. Through documentary shots and staged portraiture, he's captured heavy metal rockers in Botswana, hipsters in Johannesburg, dandies in the Congo, female wrestlers in Bolivia, "bling bling" youth in Cuba, and Punks in Burma. Often marginalised on the fringes of their own societies or just down on their heels, these people fight back and express their creativity and joy through personal style. With essays by leading experts in fashion, photography, anthropology, and sociology, 'Fashion tribes' offers a broad view of world dress and shows the power that clothing can hold.

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I always enjoy a good dose of candid street style.
- Heidi K

Fresh dressed

DVD 764.92 Fresh
Documentary

Examines the evolution of hip-hop fashion, from its roots in African American traditions of dress and inner-city gang-wear to the present day.

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This hip-hop fashion documentary offers great music and commentary on the history of being "fresh dressed." This is also available on Kanopy!
- Heidi K

Vintage fashion and couture : from Poiret to McQueen

Kerry Taylor

391.009 /Taylor
Art / Art History

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There is SO much in this book that makes my heart sing.
- Heidi K

Dress like a woman : working women and what they wore

391.209 /Dress

What does it mean to dress like a woman? The photographs in this book depict women-- both familiar and unknown-- who inhabit a fascinating intersection of fashion, gender, class, nationality, and race, proving there is no single answer to this question. It provides a comprehensive look at the role of gender and clothing in the workplace.

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This is a book I would love to own - these pictures of working women are mostly intense and full of attitude.
- Heidi K

The dress : 100 ideas that changed fashion forever

Marnie Fogg

391.47209 /Fogg
Art / Art History

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Another pictorial work on women's fashion well worth checking out!
- Heidi K