12 Fashion and Art Book Reviews in 20 Minutes

TL;DR

A fashion design and illustration professor reviews 12 fashion books, providing honest opinions and recommendations on topics such as watercolor techniques, collage, figure proportions, footwear and accessories, knitwear design, technical specifications, menswear, Thierry Mugler's work, fashion design source books, and a beloved fashion design and illustration guide by Betty Kirk.

Transcript

hey Barney people this is your friendly neighborhood over-caffeinated fashion design and illustration professors are we home here to bring you reviews on 12 Kadim 12 fashion books covering design illustration art supply geekery instruction manuals pretty picture books what have you I got them and I don't love all of them to be honest yeah I love al... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏮 The watercolor artist paper directory is a highly detailed book for watercolorists, providing extensive information on different types of watercolor papers.
• 👀 The Art of Expressive Collage is a great resource for those looking to improve mood boards and collaging techniques.
• ❓ Nine Heads offers a unique perspective on fashion figure proportions, featuring an Encyclopedia of details.
• 🫵 Drawing Fashion Accessories is a comprehensive guide on footwear and accessories drawing, with various views and rendering techniques.
• 🫠 Knitwear Design by Carol Brown is a must-read for anyone interested in knitting, covering fabric development and showcasing inspirational designs.
• ❓ The Complete Guide to Size Specification and Technical Design and The Spec Manual are recommended for fashion designers interested in the product development process.
• ❓ Modern Menswear and A Menswear Bespoke Knowledge for the Crispy Gentlemen cater to those interested in menswear fashion, offering inspiration and style archetypes.
• 💦 Fashion Fetish Fantasy is a visually stunning book showcasing Thierry Mugler's work, celebrating the beauty and fun of fashion.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does the watercolor artist paper directory by Inside Away cover?

The book provides detailed reviews and ratings of different watercolor papers, including information on absorbency, strength, ease of correction, and identical painting tests using the same color paint.

Q: What can readers expect from The Art of Expressive Collage by Crystal Noubar?

This book is a great resource for those interested in improving mood boards and collaging, offering various techniques, examples, and even unconventional methods like using a blowtorch.

Q: How helpful is Nine Heads in understanding fashion figure proportions?

While the book's focus on the nine head system may be misleading regarding proportions, it provides an Encyclopedia of details on fashion design, with illustrations and vocabulary for different collars, lapels, and more.

Q: What makes Drawing Fashion Accessories by Stephen Thomas Miller stand out?

This book is a comprehensive guide on drawing footwear and accessories, offering different views, rendering techniques, glossaries, and valuable illustrations applicable to various fashion design areas.

Q: What is the highlights of Knitwear Design by Carol Brown?

This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in knitwear design, covering topics such as fabric development, techniques, and providing inspirational photos and illustrations.

Q: What are the pros and cons of The Source Book of Fashion Design?

Unfortunately, this book falls short in providing useful information, lacking details on fabrics, colors, patterns, and offering minimal assistance for beginner fashion designers.

Q: What is unique about Betty Kirk's Metal MBNA?

This fashion design and illustration guide is filled with invaluable content, including a biography of Betty Kirk, costume history, draping, pattern making guides, and beautiful fashion illustrations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The watercolor artist paper directory by In Side Away is a detailed book that reviews different types of watercolor papers, providing painting tests and ratings for absorbency, strength, ease of correction, etc.

• The Art of Expressive Collage by Crystal Noubar is a great book for those interested in improving mood boards and collaging, with numerous examples and techniques.

• Nine Heads, a book on fashion figure proportions, is helpful for understanding vertical proportions and provides an Encyclopedia of details on fashion design.

• Drawing Fashion Accessories by Stephen Thomas Miller is a comprehensive guide on drawing footwear and accessories, covering different angles, rendering techniques, and glossaries.

• Knitwear Design by Carol Brown is a fantastic book on knitwear design, covering topics such as fabric development, techniques, and showcasing inspirational photos and illustrations.

• The Complete Guide to Size Specification and Technical Design and The Spec Manual are both recommended books on product development, spec'ing, and grading.

• Modern Menswear is an inspirational directory of avant-garde menswear designers, while A Menswear Bespoke Knowledge for the Crispy Gentlemen provides style archetypes and essentials for men's wardrobes.

• Fashion Fetish Fantasy is a visually stunning picture book showcasing Thierry Mugler's work, emphasizing the beauty and fun of fashion.

• The Source Book of Fashion Design falls short in providing useful information, with minimal details on fabrics, colors, patterns, and illustrations.

• Betty Kirk's Metal MBNA is a cherished fashion design and illustration guidebook, featuring a biography, costume history, draping, pattern making guides, and beautiful fashion illustrations.