A comprehensive study of Chinese dress from the 17th century to the present day. Drawing on the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, Chinese fashion is placed in a broad cultural context, emphasizing the role of dress in establishing social status.

Chinese Dress (Far Eastern Series)

Arts & Photography

Thomas, Ian

Wilson, Verity

History & Criticism

Weatherhill

Children's Books

Victoria & Albert Pubns

Featuring many exquisite historical photographs, a celebration of the sometimes extravagant, sometimes bizarre pastime: playing dress-up.\nPierrot, Little Bo Peep, cowboy: these characters and many more form part of this colorful story of dressing up, from the accession of Queen Victoria to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. During this time, fancy dress became a regular part of people’s social lives, and the craze for it spread across Britain and the Empire, reaching every level of society. Spectacular and witty costumes appeared at suburban street carnivals, victory celebrations, fire festivals, missionary bazaars, and the extravagant balls of the wealthy. From the Victorian middle classes performing “living statues” to squads of Shetland men donning traditional fancy dress and setting fire to a Viking ship at the annual Up Helly Aa celebration, this lavishly illustrated book provides a unique view into the quirky, wonderful world of fancy dress.

Dressing Up: A History of Fancy Dress in Britain

Graphic Design

Reaktion Books

Chinese Art and Design

Clunas, Craig

Chinese Dress

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Antiques & Collectibles

Victoria & Albert Museum

"Meticulously detailed as well as gorgeous....The color photographs-which cover page after page and capture these intricate designs in close-up-are the main source of delight."-Time Out (London) Now available in paperback, this lavishly illustrated book celebrates the Victoria and Albert Museum's magnificent collection of dress from around the world. A source of inspiration to many of today's top designers, these colorful items of clothing, seen here in glorious close-up, will delight all lovers of fashion. The detailed line drawings are of special interest to professionals in any aspect of the fashion field. AUTHOR BIO: Rosemary Crill is a curator in the department of Asian art at the V&amp;A. Jennifer Wearden is a curator in the department of furniture, textiles, and dress at the V&amp;A. Verity Wilson is a curator in the department of Asian art at the V&amp;A.

Dress in Detail From Around the World

Wearden, Jennifer

Crill, Rosemary

Celebrating Chinese textiles, this exquisite volume draws on historical and modern pieces from the world-renowned collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum. It tells the overlapping stories of their making and the material culture in which they were produced, exploring the different techniques, influences, and meanings behind these colorful works of art. Many pieces were made for special celebrations. Weddings provided occasions for splendid robes, palanquin hangings, and quilts and bed curtains, many bearing the "pictures of a hundred boys" that expressed the wish for sons to carry the family line. Pieces created for birthdays include inspired scenes of filial piety on scrolls and silk wall panels. Verity Wilson tells the story of each piece, introducing a wealth of characters from China's history and legends. The superb photography showcases the splendor of these intricate and glorious textiles to full effect.

Chinese Textiles

Victoria and Albert Museum

“Meticulously detailed as well as gorgeous....The color photographs—which cover page after page and capture these intricate designs in close-up—are the main source of delight.” —Time Out (London) Now available in paperback, this lavishly illustrated book celebrates the Victoria and Albert Museum's magnificent collection of dress from around the world. A source of inspiration to many of today's top designers, these colorful items of clothing, seen here in glorious close-up, will delight all lovers of fashion. The detailed line drawings are of special interest to professionals in any aspect of the fashion field.

World Dress: Fashion in Detail

V&A Publishing

In Qing Dynasty China (1644-1911) there were clear rules on what to wear on different occasions. Official dresses were worn when the emperor performed sacrifices and other important rituals. Auspicious dresses were for New Year, birthdays, and weddings; military dresses for troop inspection; traveling dresses for hunting and royal visits to provinces; and ordinary dresses for events of a non-celebrative nature, such as mourning. When not performing public duties, however, the imperial family could freely choose which garments to wear. This book showcases both the official robes and accessories as well as the more casual but still beautiful clothes created for the fashion-conscious court ladies.

Imperial Chinese Robes: From the Forbidden City

Wilson, Ming

Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd

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Books by Wilson, Verity