Overview

An entirely new way of looking at the history of fashion through the eyes of artists There have always been important links between art and clothing. Artists have documented the ever-evolving trends in fashion, popularized certain styles of dress, and at times even designed fashions. This is the first book to explore in depth the fascinating points of contact between art and clothing, and in doing so it constructs a new and innovative history of dress in which the artist plays a central role.    Aileen Ribeiro provides an illuminating account of the relationship between artists and clothing from the 17th century, when a more complex and sophisticated attitude to dress first appeared, to the early 20th century, when the boundaries between art and fashion became more fluid: haute couture could be seen as art, and art used textiles and clothes in highly imaginative ways.  Her narrative encompasses such themes as the ways in which clothing has helped to define the nation state; how masquerade and dressing up were key subjects in art and life; and how, while many artists found increasing inspiration in high fashion, others became involved in designing “artistic” and reform dress.  Sumptuously illustrated, Clothing Art also delves into the ways in which artists represent the clothes they depict in their work, approaches which range from photographic detail, through varying degrees of imaginative reality, to generalized drapery.  

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9780300119077

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Reviews

Aileen Ribeiro's magisterial and beautifully designed new book proves that all representation of clothing in art carry meaning... Prof. Ribeiro has led her field-the study of the history and portrayal of clothing-for decades and her comprehensive knowledge flowers here, not just as scholarly insight, but also through her understanding of clothing. -Philippa Stockley, Country Life, February 2017. -- Philippa Stockley Country Life Clothing Art is a culmination of the author's academic interests and the product of 40 years of writing, teaching and publishing. With its distinctive approach to dress history, it is without rival. -Martin Pel, Selvedge -- Martin Pel Selvedge This is a brilliant, sumptuously illustrated exploration of fashion through the eyes of artists... Ribeiro shows how the history of dress and the history of art are inseperable. -Sebastien Shakespeare, Tatler -- Sebastian Shakespeare Tatler In the future, anyone wanting to engage in interpretative discussion of art and clothes will have to come here first. -Nicola Shulman, Times Literary Supplement -- Nicola Shulman Times Literary Supplement The gift of Clothing Art is that it makes its case about the place of dress in art so quietly and impressively, accumulating image after image, drawing our attention very often to something remarkable that is being communicated by these artists in the clothes they depict. -Shahidha Bari, Literary Review -- Shahidha Bari Literary Review

Aileen Ribeiro's magisterial and beautifully designed new book proves that all representation of clothing in art carry meaning... Prof. Ribeiro has led her field-the study of the history and portrayal of clothing-for decades and her comprehensive knowledge flowers here, not just as scholarly insight, but also through her understanding of clothing. -Philippa Stockley, Country Life, February 2017. -- Philippa Stockley Country Life

Aileen Ribeiro's magisterial and beautifully designed new book proves that all representation of clothing in art carry meaning... Prof. Ribeiro has led her field-the study of the history and portrayal of clothing-for decades and her comprehensive knowledge flowers here, not just as scholarly insight, but also through her understanding of clothing. -Philippa Stockley, Country Life, February 2017. -- Philippa Stockley Country Life Clothing Art is a culmination of the author's academic interests and the product of 40 years of writing, teaching and publishing. With its distinctive approach to dress history, it is without rival. -Martin Pel, Selvedge -- Martin Pel Selvedge This is a brilliant, sumptuously illustrated exploration of fashion through the eyes of artists... Ribeiro shows how the history of dress and the history of art are inseperable. -Sebastien Shakespeare, Tatler -- Sebastian Shakespeare Tatler

Author Information

Aileen Ribeiro is professor emeritus in the history of art at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London.

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