Excerpts

From bare ankles to barely clad midriffs, Decades of Beauty takes a unique look at the history of female beauty and how it has evolved since the end of the Victorian era. This lavishly illustrated book traces the major changes in the female image over the past 100 years, one decade at a time, focusing on the look that was in during each time period. Within each decade, the particular reasons for that style are explored in greater detail, including developments in makeup, hair-styling, fabrics, accessories, and clothing.Beautiful and informative, this book also examines the major social and political events that affected the way women were perceived throughout history and profiles the key personalities and innovators of feminine style. Decades of Beauty is a must-have for all readers interested in women's history, fashion, style, and anyone interested in the development of fashion throughout history.Each chapter/decade consists of:Chapter Opener Life and Times: scene setting (social influences that affected the change in fashion)Faces in Vogue: the women whose images personified the decadeFashion and Accessories: what was being worn, key designers, and major fashion itemsPhotographers and Films: how cinema created certain looks; the role of the fashion photographerCosmetics: popular products, the most desired look, and who set trends, including such innovators of makeup as Arden and ChanelBody Shape/Undergarments: what was in vogue and how did it come about? The use of corsets, padding, and much moreHair and Hats: changing styles, including Marcel waves, fringes, cropped, long and wavy, Victory Rolls, and punkWork and Play: how changes in work, sport, and leisure influenced style. Excerpted from Decades of Beauty: The Changing Image of Women, 1890s to 1990s by Kate Mulvey, Melissa Richards All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.