Working from surviving garments and contemporary tailoring books and patterns, Anne Tyrrell has put together a pattern book of key 20th-century costumes with fascinating historical details on dress. A decade for each chapter, the book features garments such as war uniforms, a 1930s evening gown, a Teddy Boy outfit, a 1960s maxi coat and many more. Wonderful illustrations of period dress are accompanied by information on notable features, underwear and accessories for each period. Scale patterns follow for each outfit shown, complete with detailed notes on making up, using techniques appropriate to the period. A grid for enlargement of the pattern pieces is provided together with full instructions. This is an essential book for any dressmaker interested in recreating period dress, especially film and theatre costume-makers, but also fashion designers looking for inspiration in authentic historical dress of the recent past.

In this fascinating book, art historian James Hamilton examines the work and life of the illustrator Arthur Rackham. Rackham's illustrations for works such as Rip Van Winkle, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, Alice in Wonderland and A Midsummer Night's Dream have attained the classic status of the writings themselves — indeed, in some cases they have become synonymous with them. Rackham himself, however, has previously remained a shadowy figure. As well as featuring exquisite illustrations and sketches, extracts from Rackham's correspondence and insightful commentary from James Hamilton shed new light on this much collected illustrator.

The world of fashion illustration has had a sensational renaissance in the last 5 years, but the art form goes back to the beginning of the 20th century and today's exponents are still benefiting from some of the styles, shapes and colours of fashion illustrators from decades ago. Whether they work with traditional pencils, crayons and watercolours or with a digital pen, fashion illustrators today will find inspiration from these 200 images. This volume collates the best fashion illustration that was captured in the pages of the iconic Harper's Bazaar magazine from the 1920s to 1970. The publication has been at the forefront of fashion since the 19th century and it is no surprise that it published the best work in this art form. From the mannered shapes of Leon Benigni of the 1930s to the looser outlines of the late 1960s, the book is a beautiful resource for all illustrators.

The National Trust's collection of wallpaper, ceramics, textiles, tiles and furniture is almost unparalleled around the world and the patterns they feature are some of the most important in design history. This beautiful collection of 25 postcards feature the cream of this design heritage. From colourful pietra dura from the 17th century, Chinoiserie, Victorian flock wallpaper, Pugin designs, through the William Morris designs to Art Deco, this striking collection of heritage design postcards is a must for all lovers of beautiful design.

This is Her Ladyship's guide to speaking and writing better English. Wherever you are, whatever the company, good English will always stand you in good stead. The world's most important language has a number of difficult areas and pitfalls, and almost all of us have some area to improve, whether it's how to spell 'millennium', how to pronounce 'schedule' the English way (as opposed to the American way), or find the correct word for the 'toilet' when talking to bishops and barons. Her Ladyship's guide quickly takes you through the major problem areas. It covers: common mistakes in grammar (which will belie a lowly upbringing), common misspellings, commonly misused words, and the all-important choice of words and phrases to use in posh society with a pronunciation guide.

Following on from the hugely successful Big Book of Fashion Illustration, the Big Book of Contemporary Illustration covers the broadest range of illustration today from digital drawing, pixelated pictures, Photoshop fantasies to the traditional techniques of sketching and painting from over 160 international artists. With close to 1000 illustrations, the categories covered range from the technical, architectural through nature, people to fantasy, fashion and pop culture. This is an essential sourcebook for any creative professional or student and all those who appreciate the world's best illustration.

«Voted the Number One movie on the American Film Institute's List of 100 Funniest Movies, «Some Like It Hot» remains an undisguised movie classic, 50 years after its debut. Billy Wilder's hilarious film skilfully blends several American preoccupations — jazz, gangsters, drag, and Marilyn Monroe — into one scintillating bootleg cocktail. «The Some Like It Hot Companion» details the complete history of the comedy, from its roots as a 1951 German comedy to its Hollywood conception, where the superb Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe transposed the material to the Roaring Twenties. Included are drafts from the screenplay, casting trivia (the boys were almost Frank Sinatra and Danny Kaye), the background history of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and Prohibition-era Chicago, on-set production gossip, location shots from the fabled Hotel Coronado in San Diego (doubling for Miami), lyrics from the jazz-era songs in the film, the Broadway and West End musical versions (one of which starred Tony Curtis), and the on-going legacy of the most hilarious cross-gender film in history. As the movie concludes, 'Nobody's perfect!' but this companion to the beloved film will be the perfect addition to the library of anyone who loves comedy, jazz, American film — or Marilyn Monroe.»

It perhaps seems impossible that any images of the Beatles remain unseen, but this fascinating book accompanied by a DVD of rare 8mm footage provides a whole new insight into the Beatles, in pictures. The over 200 images include several early photos of The Quarrymen — when John first met Paul; the filming of A Hard Day's Night at Paddington; the Beatles in the Bahamas in 1965 filming Help; John and Yoko at home; and Paul on holiday in Frank Sinatra's Learjet — plus many more! Encapsulating the culture, music and spirit of the 60s, this unique book brings us closer to one of the world's all-time favourite bands and is sure to delight any fan. While it could be said the pictures 'speak for themselves', interviews with many of the photographers give us an extraordinary insight into the background of each shot, while extended captions give further behind-the-scenes information to complete this fascinating package.

Still going strong after 40 years, The Rolling Stones have proved themselves to be the ultimate rock band. While we are familiar with images of the band from the last 20 or so years, this book takes a pictorial journey back to roots of rock stardom and to a long-lost age of innocence in the music industry. Featuring over 200 pages of extremely rare photographs — most never previously published — as well as a DVD of fantastic Stones' footage, this book presents fascinating behind-the-scenes action from the life of the band during the '60s. From the very first studio photos of the band taken for Mirabelle magazine to pictures of Mick jumping on a piano at the Isle of Man anniversary in 1965, these images provide a compelling new look at some of our most familiar rock faces. Interviews with many of the photographers responsible for the images and additional background from the author complete this must-have record of The Stones in action.

Although there are several books on felt, this is the first one that concentrates on felt fashions — in the broadest sense — with felt techniques and patterns for construction. From simple corsages through hats and scarves to jackets and full-length coats, this is an essential book for those already working in felt or fashion who want to make more of felted textiles. The author takes you through the techniques of feltmaking but goes on to show you how to embellish and colour the felt — including using velvets and silks and ruching methods — and then construct garments and accessories from it. The book covers: how to make basic felt; embellishing felt; corsages; earrings and other jewellery; scarves; nuno felt techniques; hat-making; felt sleeveless top; felt skirt; felt jacket, including nuno felt jacket; and, felt coat. With clear instructions, construction patterns and stunning images of felted fashions from a range of felters, this is a great book on a subject growing in popularity (word count: 25,000). It features a range of techniques and patterns for making felted fashion items. It also covers things from felt corsages, scarves and hats to felt jackets and coats. It also features strong use of colour and embellishment — silks and velvet — in the felt.

This title offers a rich resource for all designers looking for inspiration and guidance on colour combinations. 2000 colour combinations are provided here with their RGB readings (for web designers) and also the CMYK readings (for designers working in print). It also explains how you can use these readings to create real pigmented paint for those working in textiles. This book is a bridge between digital colour, colour on the web and real pigmented colour. As an accomplished colour theorist, the author looks at colour combinations through various elements of colour theory, but always ensuring that the images have direct design application.The colour combinations include: simple three-colour graphics, more complex stripes, graphics using type, simple graphic designs and complex graphic designs — all in varied colour combinations. In addition, there are images of the real world with colour combinations that match — a rich source for designers. This title contains 2000 colour combinations to help fuel the creativity of all designers. It includes RGB and CMYK readings to connect print, web and pigment colour. It offers simple to complex graphics of colour combinations. It also includes images of the real world and connected colour combinations.

Jack Vettriano's erotic, provocative and emotionally charged paintings have made him one of Britain's most successful contemporary artists. Collected by celebrities the world over, his exhibitions have regularly sold out and paintings now change hands for millions of pounds. This beautifully packaged gift-sized collection features Jack's men. Depicted against a backdrop of bars, clubs, racetracks and bedrooms, the men are often mysterious, hard-edged and sometimes vulnerable. It is a timeless world of drama, passion, secret liaisons and hedonism, where men chase dreams and play for high stakes. Jack Vettriano is Scotland's best-known and most successful contemporary artist. This book is the perfect gift for any father, brother or friend. It offers a new look at many of Jack's signature pictures.

This title provides experimental design ideas as well as experimental textile practice. It offers exercises for design work and projects for finished textiles. It contains stunning images of work by major textile artists and emerging stars. This is a much-needed book on cutting-edge textile design and practice with experimental design ideas, unusual materials and the latest techniques. The author takes you through the design process — with exercises — from finding original ideas, to the latest techniques various artists use to transform the designs into finished textiles. The book covers: paper, felt, machine embroidery, recycling, hand stitch, working with and combining unusual materials, layering different media, working in three-dimensions and also in large scale. Showcased textiles include quilt art, quirky boxes, cloth dolls and large-scale textile installations — a collection of the best and most exciting textile art today. With technique information and several projects for readers to try, plus inspirational work by existing and emerging textile artists, this is an essential book for all those working in textiles.

Edinburgh Then and Now visually charts the city from the 19th century, with its smoky Victorian reputation as 'Auld Reekie', to its twenty-first century present. Using atmospheric archive photography dating back to the early 1860s, the book shows the evolution of the city through the Victorian and Edwardian eras, two World Wars and touches on the social and political upheavals of the 1960s right up to the building of the new Scottish parliament. Some 70 historic photographs of Edinburgh's past are paired with specially commissioned contemporary views taken from the same vantage point. You can see the same streets, buildings and docks as they were 'then' and as they are 'now'. It includes both old and new parts of the city, plus the historic port of Leith and its recent attraction, the Royal Yacht Britannia. At its heart is the Royal Mile, with nearby St Giles Cathedral and Law Courts, the Royal Museum of Scotland, Surgeon's Hall and McEwan Hall all featured. There are old vistas of George Street, Cockburn Street, the Scott Memorial, Princes Street, Queen Street, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh Castle and The Mound, and Leith docks.Part of the bestselling Then and Now series, this charming contrast of old and new photographs highlights the stunning changes — and the equally amazing similarities — of one of the most loved cities in Britain, its well-known places but also some of its hidden gems. This title features Scotland's first city 'then' — with archive photography — and 'now'. It features topics from the changing face of the Royal Mile to the transformation of Leith port. This is a wonderful visual guide to Edinburgh from the 19th century to today.

Manchester Then and Now visually charts the huge changes that have affected the city from the 1860s. The building of the ship canal in the late Victorian era turned Manchester into the UK's third biggest port. The industrial boom of the 1930s and postwar bust followed by the regeneration with the Commonwealth Games are all featured in a book that includes some spectacular aerial comparisons. This is a wonderful visual guide to Manchester, past and present. Some 70 historic photographs of Manchester's past are paired with specially commissioned contemporary views taken from the same vantage point. You can see the same streets and buildings as they were 'then' and as they are 'now'. The book features the changes to the city created by the massive IRA bomb of 1996, the demolition of some of the 1960s architecture and its redevelopment, the conversion of old mills to modern apartments and the renaissance of the Salford Quays as sought-after residential areas. Some of the recent strong setpiece buildings of Manchester are also included, such as the futuristic Imperial War Museum North and the 169-m tall Beetham Tower. And, of course, the evolution of the city's sports stadia is charted with images of Old Trafford Main Road, the Belle Vue stadium and Lancashire County Cricket's Old Trafford test area. Part of the bestselling Then and Now series, this charming contrast of old and new photographs highlights the stunning changes — and the equally amazing similarities — of one of the most dynamic cities in Britain, its well-known places but also some of its hidden gems. This title features one of Britain's liveliest cities 'then' — with archive photography — and 'now'. It includes Salford Quays from working dock to chic living apartments. It features the city's iconic sports stadia through the ages. It is a wonderful visual guide to Manchester from the 19th century to today.

Poet Matthew Arnold christened Oxford 'the city of dreaming spires' and Oxford Then and Now looks at the range of inspirational buildings that have made it one of the most visited towns in Europe. Using archive photography dating back to the early 1860s, the book charts the evolution of the town through the Victorian and Edwardian eras, two World Wars and touches on the social and industrial upheavals of the 1960s. Some 70 historic photographs of Oxford's past are paired with specially commissioned contemporary views taken from the same vantage point. You can see the same streets and buildings as they were 'then' and as they are 'now'. It includes the Oxford Town Hall, opened in 1897, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Ashmolean, the Bodleian Library, as well as the historic covered market, the open spaces of Christ Church Meadow, all rounded off with the changing face of the University celebrations on May Day when the tradition is to jump into the River Cherwell.Part of the bestselling Then and Now series, this charming contrast of old and new photographs highlights the stunning changes — and the equally amazing similarities — of one of the most loved cities in Britain, its well-known places but also some of its hidden gems. This book features Britain's most visited city 'then' — with archive photography — and 'now'. It features topics from the famous Oxford colleges and the city's historic covered market... to the May Day Celebrations on the River Cherwell through the ages. This is a wonderful visual guide to Oxford from the 19th century to the present day.

No item of clothing has endured for longer than the dress. Yet the last century alone has seen the most radical changes of style — hemlines swinging from ankle to thigh; outlines alternating between the body-hugging and the bell — and our fascination with the 'frock' has not gone away. From Gres’ draping to Dior’s New Look, from Mary Quant’s mini to Hussein Chalayan’s mechanical marvels, this book looks at the dress in twentieth century fashion. Thematic chapters (Changes, Feminine, Sex, Must-haves, Fantasy, Classical and Art) set out the inspirations and implications for each new change alongside the stunning photography. It is more than eighty years since Coco Chanel invented the little black dress, but every woman still has one in her wardrobe today. It’s decades since women discovered trousers and separates, but every woman dreams of wearing a glorious, glamorous gown at least once, whether it’s on a Hollywood red carpet, or just on her wedding day. 'Fabulous Frocks' is a book to fire a fashionista's imagination.

Steve McQueen, the self confessed ‘King of Cool’ is as popular today as in the 50s and 60s when he became famous in films such as The Great Escape and The Magnificent Seven, The Thomas Crown Affair and later The Towering Inferno. McQueen began his career in television and moved into film in the mid 1950s when he became a true cinema icon, and classic images of him are reproduced today. In many of his films his real-life passion for fast cars and motor racing was evident, and he was always keen to do his own stunts. This beautiful collection shows the different sides of his professional and personal life with many images not seen before. It will be a delight to his multitude of fans. — Latest stunning addition to the Life in Pictures series — Many classic and unseen images of this stylish 'anti-hero' — Incisive account of the life of Steve McQueen

Launched in March 1972 priced 20p, 'Cosmopolitan' began as it meant to go on: The diet worth eating for; I was a sleep-around girl; How to turn a man on when he's having problems in bed; Jilly Cooper on what makes David Niven and Roy Jenkins fantastic lovers. 'The Best of Cosmopolitan: The 70s and 80s' is a fascinating trawl through these hallowed pages, the woman's Bible to all things sex, fashion and romance. Featuring the very best of the big name interviews, frank relationship advice and just the occasional fashion faux pas, this is a must have purchase for all fans of the magazine.

Sophia Loren is seen as one of the first cinematic sex symbols, her charisma and voluptuous figure attracted many admirers. Yet her life away from the cameras may surprise some — she was married to Carlo Ponti, film producer, throughout her career and until his recent death. She also struggled to become a mother and considered her two children her greatest accomplishment. Loren came from impoverished roots, yet she was possibly the greatest Italian actress of her time. Her many films included Houseboat, Two Women (for which she won the Academy award), The Fall of the Roman Empire and The Millionairess. She also loved to sing, adding to her sex appeal with her seductive voice. Sophia Loren: A Life in Pictures illustrates the variety and contrasts in Loren's private and public persona, with wonderful pictures and an incisive biography. It features a sumptuous collection of images of Hollywood's great sex symbol. It includes many rare pictures from Loren's personal and public life. It is a lavish addition to the Life in Pictures series.