Decades of Beauty: The Changing Image of Women 1890s to 1990s

by Kate Mulvey and Melissa Richards

Book Overview

As the times change, so do the fashions. 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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816039208
• ISBN13: 9780816039203
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Checkmark Books
• Length: 205 Pages
• Weight: 2.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 9.8" x 11.3"

Customer Reviews

Stunningly beautiful.

Don't be to eager to dismiss this book as superficial, for females only or aimed at the fashion/ art set. It is a well researched and knowledge packed directory into the ploitics and social history of fashion and beauty, throughout the entire 20th century. It would be of immense value to students of 20th century history, women's studies as well as an invaluable and pictorial journey for children exploring the recent past. The layout is well structured and the photography, art and fashion plates are breath taking. Even if just a coffee table book, it's far more engaging than the average trendy photo album.

Excellent Pictoral History

Decades of Beauty is both an excellent pictoral as well as literary history of beauty through the decades. Great pictures that have not been often seen showcase the fashion fads of each era along with the fashion icons who are responsible for that decade's fashion hype. I loved that this book also gave equal space to the history of cosmetic beauty through the years. Its fascinating to see what type of makeup each generation "had to have" along with the "hippest" hairstyles of the day. The contents are easy to read and allows one to pick and choose a decade of interest without having to read the book start to finish. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a cosmetic junkie, fashion obsessed, or just a history buff. This would also make an excellent gift for those in the beauty industry. Enjoy!

A book you will enjoy reading time and time again

I purchased this book a year ago and read it from cover to cover the day it arrived. But I find myself picking it up and flipping through it every now and again. I love the fact that the authors wound in all kinds of fascinating pop culture trivia along with fashion history. I learned all kinds of amazing things -- like the fact that Elizabeth Arden brought out a velvet gas mask during World War II and that someone actually saw fit to bring a bra to market that could be inflated by blowing into a straw. This book is very fun reading indeed. It's also a gorgeous coffee table book. Highly recommended.

Interesting Look at Styles Through the Years

This book covers the changing styles and images from the 1890s thru the 1990s. Each section covers the life & times, faces in vogue, film and media, fashion, hair and hats, cosmetics, body shape and underwear, and work and play for a particular decade. Filled with interesting facts and tons of photographs, this makes the perfect addition to the library of anyone interested in fashion, cosmetics, or history! Fun and unique!

Terrific Read--Great Coffe Table or Bubble Bath Read!

A nice collection of fact & photos on the beauty industry. Contains information on styles of each period--including the impact of film! I thought the 1920's invention of "twist-up" lipstick & the use by flappers was a hoot! Pick this book up & grab another as a gift!