Costume & Fashion

From the Dutch Golden Age to Saint Laurent: four centuries of costume from the unrivaled collection of the Rijksmuseum

This richly illustrated book presents 80 exceptional garments from the Rijksmuseum’s substantial costume collection, the oldest in the Netherlands. From the clothes of the Frisian branch of the Orange dynasty in the Dutch Golden Age, through dresses of colorful French silk and glittering velvet men’s suits from the 18th century to the classic empire of the fin de siècle to 20th-century haute couture by Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.

This selection highlights the international character of Dutch fashion throughout the centuries, while simultaneously illustrating the developments that took place within the country itself. Experts in the field of costume and fashion tell the stories of the costumes and the people that wore them.

Edited by Bianca du Mortier, Costume Curator at the Rijksmuseum, with many details of fabrics and focusing on a variety of materials and techniques, this gorgeous book provides an ample source of both information and inspiration.