ALA Booklist (Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2014)

The latest in the publisher's series of art-history books, this covers fashion as a predominantly female phenomenon. Starting at the beginning of the twentieth century he century of fashion" rle describes one or two key trends from each decade. Except for one chapter on Japan's Harajuku girls, her focus is on European and American styles. Werle provides insights into why certain clothes, accessories, hairstyles, and makeup became widely worn. For instance, dresses were made shorter during WWII to save material, and the teen styles of the 1960s were a rebellion against the "serious adult fashions" of the 1950s. All of these varied looks come to vibrant life in the book's well-chosen images, mostly photographs but also a few paintings. Right off the bat we see Gustav Klimt's striking portrait of Emilie Flöge, his longtime companion and a couturiere for whom he designed several dresses. Following in later decades are such fashion icons as Grace Kelly, Anita Ekberg, Twiggy, and Kate Moss, each of them in her trend-setting glory.

Horn Book (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Fashion is a reflection--in material form--of the times we live in.

School Library Journal (Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2014)

Gr 6-10 The new freedom in women's clothing that began with the banishment of the corset is displayed in this decade-by-decade introduction to fashions of the past century. Overlapping time lines give a broad look at the trends, covering 30 to 40 years each and highlighting significant designers as well as major historical influences. The generously sized layout varies from a single spread for the 1980s to the addition of a Harajuku spread for the 1990s. Content for each section includes significant "fashionistas" and designers, plus makeup, hairstyles, and accessories trends. The pages are light on text, but the colors are bold, and there are plenty of photos. Occasional fashion tips, activities, and "Test Yourself" insets add depth and versatility. The concluding 21st-century ("Look What I'm Wearing") section references the overarching influence of social media and asserts that today, anyone can be a trendsetter. Readers will find inspiration galore, plus plenty to explore in this well-designed look at a century of fashion work. Carol S. Surges, formerly at Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI