1930s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook

A thorough exploration of 1930s fashion, this sourcebook details the era's iconic styles and influential designers, making it essential for enthusiasts and historians alike.

This sourcebook offers a comprehensive seasonal analysis of the fashions that defined the 1930s, featuring over 600 photographs and illustrations. It delves into the significance of these styles, highlighting the influential designers and fashion houses of the era. From the economic crash of 1929 to the onset of World War II, the decade witnessed a remarkable evolution in fashion, characterized by both innovation and resilience amid social uncertainty.

In 1930s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook, readers will discover iconic elements such as the bias cut, statement shoulders, puff sleeves, tea dresses, fur shrugs, and elegant floor-length evening gowns. This period marked a pivotal shift as Hollywood began to rival Paris as the fashion capital, with film stars emerging as style icons and influencing a more sophisticated direction in women's fashion design. The book captures this transformative era in detail, showcasing the interplay between cinema and fashion.

With an extensive collection of original photographs, illustrations, and sketches sourced from prominent fashion publications, mail-order catalogues, and Hollywood studio press shots, this guide is a treasure trove for fashion historians, students, and vintage enthusiasts alike. Renowned design historian Charlotte Fiell has curated this volume, which also includes an insightful introduction by fashion historian Emmanuelle Dirix and biographies of key designers and fashion houses from the decade.