Costume Since 1945: Historical Dress from Couture to Street Style

by Deirdre Clancy

Overview

Since the mid-20th century fashion has undergone phenomenal change at a rapid pace in the context of unprecedented social, political and cultural upheaval. This fully updated and expanded second edition of Costume Since 1945 brings this period to life through accessible, lively text and over 100 illustrations.

From the austerity of the utility years to punk and protest to 21st century fast fashion and vintage style, the volume captures changes the mood and style of each era across street fashion, sportswear, formal wear from suits to couture gowns, underwear and nightclothes. Based on a wide range of sources, the author's illustrations offer engaging insights on fashion history as well as design inspiration.

Written for students and scholars of costume design and fashion history, practitioners and anyone interested in historical dress, this book provides a unique perspective on fashion from a renowned international costume designer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472524249
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/22/2015
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Deirdre Clancy is a multi-award-winning costume designer who has worked on over 150 theater, opera and ballet productions around the world. Her achievements include a BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design and two Olivier Awards for Best Costume Design.

Table of Contents

Foreword to the first edition by Adrian Noble, Theatre Director, UK
Preface to the second edition
Introduction

1. 1945-50: Peace and the New Look
2. 1950-55: Paris Rules
3. 1955-60: The Rise of the Teenager
4. 1960-65: The Kennedy Years
5. 1965-70: Vietnam vs Flower Power
6. 1970-75: Retromania
7. 1975-80: The Rise of the New Woman
8. 1980-85: Swing to the Right
9. 1985-90: Power Dress and the New Man
10. 1990-95: Pluralism
11. 1995-2000: Revivals and Casual Chic
12. 2000-05: Transition and Complexity
13. 2005-Present: Effortless and Easy

Postscript
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

A really useful and informative survey of how fashions change – beautifully illustrated by one of our greatest costume designers.” —Gregory Doran, Artistic Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, UK

“Deirdre Clancy has written the essential reference book on fashion and clothing design since WWII. The written text is direct and insightful and her painted illustrations are a master class on how to render fabric and clothing.” —Ralph Funicello, award-winning set designer and Don Powell Chair in Set Design at San Diego State University, USA.

“This beautifully illustrated new edition of Costume Since 1945 brings this visual history of dress up to date. Written by a highly experienced costume designer, it inspires readers to draw figuratively and with empathy, essential traits of costume design, which deals with performers creating character partly through costume.” —Donatella Barbieri, Research Fellow in Design for Performance at London College of Fashion, UK, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, UK

“With hundreds of vivid, life-like illustrations, this book merits a home on every costume designer's shelf. Blending fashionable dress history with anecdotes, Costume Since 1945 outlines the dominant dress trends for men, women and children in the second part of the twentieth century and renders valuable physical and psychological sketches of the people who wore them.” —Tanya Williams Wetenhall, Assistant Professor of Design in the Department of Theatre & Dance at The George Washington University, USA

"Although this book’s target was intended for fashion students and professionals, I feel that it would be a marvellous coffee table entry. I shared it with my family and we had a special jourbaney, going back in time, unleashing treasured memories of fashion events that are often left on a dusty shelf. It’s a great fashion ride!” - Fashion, Society & Popular Culture

From the Publisher

With hundreds of vivid, life-like illustrations, this book merits a home on every costume designer's shelf. Blending fashionable dress history with anecdotes, Costume Since 1945 outlines the dominant dress trends for men, women and children in the second part of the twentieth century and renders valuable physical and psychological sketches of the people who wore them.

Tanya Williams Wetenhall

This beautifully illustrated new edition of Costume Since 1945 brings this visual history of dress up to date. Written by a highly experienced costume designer, it inspires readers to draw figuratively and with empathy, essential traits of costume design, which deals with performers creating character partly through costume.

Donatella Barbieri

Deirdre Clancy has written the essential reference book on fashion and clothing design since WWII. The written text is direct and insightful and her painted illustrations are a master class on how to render fabric and clothing.

Ralph Funicello

A really useful and informative survey of how fashions change - beautifully illustrated by one of our greatest costume designers.

Gregory Doran