Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Published here for the first time, this text presents a collection of recently-discovered stories by John Fante.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

The study of costume history, which began in the 17th century, has grown exponentially since the 1970s due to social changes and new methodologies (e.g., gender studies, cultural history, literary analysis, and semiotics). Older approaches covered public/private clothing collections and textile production, marketing, and consumption. New research emanating from anthropology, sociology, archaeology, museology, media studies, linguistics, and psychology looks at body modification, environment, and technology. Professional associations have emerged: Costume Society of Great Britain, founded in 1965; Costume Society of America, in 1973. Publications have expanded from museum catalogs and commercial papers to university press scholarly works and new journals (Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture; Textile: The Journal of Cloth & Culture). This book, which introduces and synthesizes clothing history, serves as a valuable reference for educators and students. It covers definitions, theories, collections, art forms, uniforms, disguises, theatrical costume, vintage clothing, and reenactment reproductions. Because most documentation comes from historic sources and sites in England, the book has strengths and weaknesses. Cumming's familiarity with its contents provides depth, but few references to multiculturalism and globalization trends are weaknesses. Nevertheless, Cumming descriptively answers the basic question, what is the new dress history? Along with a brief glossary and useful appendix of concepts, disciplines, and people, she provides suggestions for future research and institutional survival. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries. B. B. Chico Regis University

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Valerie Cumming is a dress and social historian who worked in museums as a costume curator, as a senior administrator and currently as chairman of the Olive Matthews Collection at Chertsey Museum. She is a trustee of the Bullard and Callow Trusts (Museums Association) and was chairman of the Costume Society from 2004 to 2009. She has written and lectured extensively and her publications include books, articles, essays and reviews.