Decorative Arts

What we wear matters. It matters because looking and therefore feeling like yourself is essential. Clothes can make the difference between a good day and a bad day. Clothes have the power to make your mood ten times worse or one hundred times better.

Many of us are aware of the ethical minefield that is fast fashion: the dodgy labor practices, the lax environmental standards, and the mountains of waste piling up on the shores of developing countries. But have you stopped to consider the dangerous effects your clothes are having on your own health? Award-winning journalist Alden Wicker breaks open a story hiding in plain sight: the unregulated toxic chemicals that are likely in your wardrobe right now, how they’re harming you, and what you can do about it.

There is no one more synonymous with style than Coco Chanel. Her pillars of simplicity, elegance, comfort, nautical, monochrome, and the iconic little black dress remain relevant today. Coco Chanel: The Style Principles gives you ideas to elevate your everyday outfits with wise, fashionable, and accessible tips. Throughout this book, you will the timeless and classic looks that embody the beloved Chanel brand, while simultaneously learning how to tailor these looks to your own closet and personal style.

Are you new to the world of instructional design and looking to create impactful learning experiences? Look no further than Instructional Design Made Easy: A Beginner's Guide. This comprehensive guide delves into the essential theories, models, and principles that form the foundation of effective instructional design. Whether you're designing for the classroom, online platforms, or mobile devices, this book will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to transform your content into engaging and inclusive learning experiences.

Look closely at any typically "American" article of clothing these days, and you may be surprised to see a Japanese label inside. From high-end denim to oxford button-downs, Japanese designers have taken the classic American look - known as ametora, or "American traditional" - and turned it into a huge business for companies like Uniqlo, Kamakura Shirts, Evisu, and Kapital. This phenomenon is part of a long dialogue between Japanese and American fashion.

The story of The Hundreds and the precepts that made it an iconic streetwear brand. The creative force behind the brand, Bobby Kim, a.k.a. Bobby Hundreds, has emerged as a prominent face and voice in streetwear. In telling the story of his formative years, he reminds us that The Hundreds was started by outsiders; and this is truly the story of streetwear culture.

Dawnn Karen is a pioneer in the field of fashion psychology, and she has spent years studying the relationship between attire and attitude. In Dress Your Best Life she goes far beyond well-known makeover advice, pushing you to ask yourself: Are my clothing choices hurting me or helping me to achieve my life goals? Her book will help you discover your unique style story, become a smarter shopper, use color to your advantage, match moods to clothing choices, and embrace new or different standards of beauty.

El diseño no tiene por qué ser complicado, por eso esta guía de diseño centrado en el ser humano muestra que la usabilidad es tan importante como la estética. Incluso los más inteligentes pueden sentirse ineptos al no saber qué interruptor de la luz o del horno hay que encender, o si hay que empujar, tirar o deslizar una puerta. La culpa, argumenta este ingenioso —incluso liberador— libro, no la tenemos nosotros, sino el diseño de productos que ignora las necesidades de los usuarios y los principios de la psicología cognitiva.

Helping graphic designers find professional and spiritual support in the ever-demanding struggle to stay creative and profitable, this book reveals how some of today's most successful and intriguing designers keep growing as artists and as people with the power to affect public attitudes. Topics addressed include how to keep track of one's vision, the meaning of success, what sustains designers spiritually, and how to embrace change and stay fluid.

Take a peek inside the heads of some of the world's greatest living graphic designers. How do they think, how do they connect to others, what special skills do they have? In honest and revealing interviews, 19 designers, including Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Beirut, David Carson, and Milton Glaser, share their approaches, processes, opinions, and thoughts about their work with noted brand designer Debbie Millman. The internet radio talk host of Design Matters, Millman persuades the greatest graphic designers of our time to speak frankly and openly about their work.

Unveil the timeless artistry of leatherworking with "The Saddle Stitching Handbook"—your comprehensive guide to mastering one of the most fundamental and revered techniques in the craft. Whether you're a novice seeking to acquaint yourself with the basics or a seasoned artisan looking to refine your skills, this book is an indispensable resource that promises to become the cornerstone of your leatherworking library. Dive into the opening chapter, where the rich history of saddle stitching is seamlessly woven with practical insights, revealing not just the "how," but the heartfelt "why" ...

In this utterly charming volume, Stephen Fry excavates his epic collection of neckties and shares the stories behind them. From the traditional "egg and bacon" colors of the Marylebone Cricket Club to the exuberant Dalmatian pattern of a 1980s Nicole Miller design, each tie tells a story.

Christian Dior's career, a veritable fairy tale, is set in a rich tapestry of Paris cultural life before, during, and after the war. Much of Dior's daily inspiration emanated from the world of the intellectual and artistic elite, in which he moved with such people as Erik Satie, Francis Poulenc, Henry Sauguet, Jean Cocteau, and Raoul Dufy.

Unlock the vibrant world of ornamental horticulture with The Art of Blossoms, your essential guide to creating breathtaking perennial borders that captivate the senses all year round. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a budding enthusiast, this comprehensive eBook delves into the beauty and intricacy of crafting gardens that not only dazzle the eye but also sustain the environment. Begin your journey with a deep dive into the history and evolution of ornamental plants, and discover how aesthetics play a crucial role in shaping our gardens. With sections dedicated to modern techniques ...

Many designers struggle with creating profitability in their design businesses. This is because they do not have the tools to build a creative business that thrives financially.

Step beyond the mundane and into the richly woven tapestry of "Beyond Fabric," an eBook that delves deep into the heart and soul of textile art. Whether you are an enthusiast eager to explore different textures and patterns, a seasoned weaver looking to refine your craft, or simply a lover of the arts, this comprehensive guide takes you on an inspiring journey through the world of fibers, dyes, and yarns. Embark on an odyssey of color and creativity beginning with "The Essence of Textile Art," exploring the profound impact and historic roots of this expressive form. Discover the materials ...

Why does fashion hold so much power over us? Most of us care about how we dress and how we present ourselves. Style offers clues about everything from class to which in-group we belong to. Bad Feminist for fashion, Dress Code takes aim at the institutions within the fashion industry while reminding us of the importance of dress and what it means for self-presentation. Everything—from societal changes to the progress (or lack thereof) of women’s rights to the hidden motivations behind what we choose to wear to align ourselves with a particular social group—can be tracked through clothing.

With $1,500 and no business experience, Mel and Patricia Ziegler turned a wild idea into a company that would become the international retail colossus Banana Republic. Reimagining military surplus as safari and expedition wear, the former journalist and artist created a world that captured the zeitgeist for a generation and spoke to the creativity, adventure, and independence in everyone.

Finally, we are learning that simplicity equals sanity. We’re rebelling against technology that’s too complicated, DVD players with too many menus, and software accompanied by 75-megabyte “read me” manuals. The iPod’s clean gadgetry has made simplicity hip. But sometimes we find ourselves caught up in the simplicity paradox: we want something that’s simple and easy to use, but also does all the complex things we might ever want it to do.

In Fashionopolis, Thomas sees renewal in a host of developments, including printing 3-D clothes, clean denim processing, smart manufacturing, hyperlocalism, fabric recycling - even lab-grown materials. From small-town makers and Silicon Valley whizzes to such household names as Stella McCartney, Levi’s, and Rent the Runway, Thomas highlights the companies big and small that are leading the crusade.