Fashion: The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute, A History from the 18th to the 20th Century

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TASCHEN, Kyoto, Japan, 2002, English

Nonfiction, Fashion Design

ISBN: 9783822812068

From the Kyoto Costume Institute. Clothes define people. A person's clothing, whether it's a sari, kimono, or business suit, is an essential key to his or her culture, class, personality, or even religion. The Kyoto Costume Institute (KCI) recognizes the importance of understanding clothing sociologically, historically, and artistically. Founded in 1978, the KCI holds one of the world's most extensive clothing collections and has curated many exhibitions worldwide. With an emphasis on Western women's clothing, 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 a vast selection of skilled photographs from the Institute's archives, depicting the clothing expertly displayed and arranged on custom-made mannequins, Fashion is a fascinating excursion through the last three centuries of clothing trends.

From a rare treasure such as a 17th-century iron corset with embroidered bodice to modern-day outfits by such designers as Yves Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein, the collection provides an extensive overview of the evolution of women's fashion. The KCI believes that "clothing is an essential manifestation of our very being" and their passion and dedication positively radiate from every page of this book. It offers an opportunity to see how our ancestors dressed, to consider the amazing accomplishments of contemporary fashion, and to imagine how our descendants may dress in the distant future as clothing design continues on its tireless evolutionary path.

On 2 book lists

Akiko Fukai

On list of Books by Akiko Fukai

Guo Pei

On Guo Pei’s Book List

I am especially interested in books that focus on fashion history because they reveal how we appreciated beauty in the past. They are a record of history and, therefore, have a great impact. I’ve actually bought this book twice: first in Paris, and then again in Japan after seeing an exhibition at Kobe Fashion Museum!

This is also the book that has pushed me to want to build China’s first fashion museum. I have two dreams in life: to build a fashion museum, and to create a fashion library to inspire future generations. I think that books are vital to the development of Chinese design and design education: much like planting a tree in order to let it blossom and grow, rather than placing a flower in a vase that will eventually wilt and die.

时装：京都服装研究所典藏，18至20世纪时装史

我对关于时装史的书一直很有兴趣，因为它们展示了过去人的审美关。它们纪录了历史，因此影响深远。这本书我买过两次：一次是在巴黎，后来我去参观神户时装博物馆看展览，竟又购入一本。

这本书让我产生了建中国第一所时装博物馆的想法。我有两个梦想，一是建立中国第一座时装博物馆，另一个就是建一座服装图书馆，让一代代年轻人从中受益。我认为书籍对中国设计和设计教育至关重要：与其把花插在花瓶里，等待凋零的一天，不如种一棵树，待它生长、开花。

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