FASHION: A History from the 18th to the 20th Century

From the 18th century to today, the ultimate compendium of clothing.

Clothes define people. A person s attire, whether it s a sari, kimono, or business suit, is an essential code to his or her culture, class, personality, even their faith. Founded in 1978, the Kyoto Costume Institute recognizes the importance of understanding clothes from sociological, historical, and artistic perspectives. Now holder of one of the world s most extensive clothing collections, the KCI has amassed a wide range of historical garments, underwear, shoes, and fashion accessories dating from the 18th century to the present day.
Showcasing the Institute's vast collection, Fashion History is a fascinating excursion through the last three centuries of clothing trends. Featuring impeccable photography of clothing expertly displayed and arranged on custom-made mannequins, it is a testimony to clothing as an essential manifestation of our very being and to the Instiute's passion for fashion as a complex and intricate artform.
The book's authors include some of the smartest minds and sharpest eyes in fashion studies: Miki Iwagami (Lecturer of fashion history at Sugino Fashion College (Tokyo)), Akiko Fukai (Chief Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Tamami Suoh (Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Reiko Koga (Professor of fashion history at Bunka Women s University), and Rie Nii (Associate Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute).