History of American Dress From the 15th and 16th Century through 1965 - Softcover

Howell, Frances S; Costilow, Virginia K; Gahan, Ann; Howell, Youldon C; Weill, Ruth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1450547389 ISBN 13: 9781450547383

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2010

Synopsis

This book crosses the bounds between textbook, and very beautiful general interest history. With over fifty wonderful illustrations, this book is a great companion for anyone interested in clothing worn during certain periods of American history, clothing design, costuming, stagecraft, or any of the dramatic arts and industrial designs. While it's primary emphasis is on American clothing from the very beginnings of the country, and the social, economic, technological, necessary changes in clothing design, it also makes a great general reference for anyone interested in American clothing, and, makes a great looking decorative piece. The book gives the reader the opportunity to survey the history of American dress in brief form. It's main concern, is to help people everywhere to understand clothing design in relationship to the social forces which constantly mold American life and culture. Factors ranging from geography to purpose, to technology, on to world events and needs govern the type of clothing we need to wear at any given time. In our rapidly changing world it is imperative that our people have a sound understanding of American history. Educators for some time have recognized the need for broadening the students' learning in this field of knowledge. Today, schools stress the importance of the American heritage. Such an approach opens the door for discovery and exploration into many facets of life. It makes possible an appreciation for the social and economic forces behind historic facts. Too often political and military events are over-emphasized while students fail to grasp the significance of social and economic events. This book will have served its purpose if the reader can come to recognize the development of American dress as an important part of the American heritage and can in some small degree appreciate its inter-relatedness with many social and economic forces which contribute to its fulfillment. (Frances Howell, 1965)

About this title

About the Author:

Frances Schumann Howell taught costume design and analysis as well as art in the Pasadena School system for over 30 years. In the 1930s she started out teaching arts and crafts in Junior high, Then moved on to John Muir in the 40s; at that point John Muir was a Junior college, she was teaching many returning WW II veterans. Then, in the early 50s, she moved on to Pasadena City College, where she continued as teaching until the early 1960s. She carried multiple degrees from Ohio Wesleyan, Columbia University and UCLA, as well as several special teaching credentials. She believed in the hands on, real world approach to education, giving her students skills they could easily translate into careers. A couple of her more famous students were Jackie Robinson, the well known baseball player, who used to, on a regular basis raise his hand and say "Mrs. Howell, Roscoes' tiltin' again!" whenever poor Roscoe would tilt in his chair, and Bob Mackie, who went on to design costumes for some of the more famous stars in Hollywood. This book took 3 years of dedicated research and time, a lifetime of accrued knowledge. The overall project took 45 years making it to market. *Note For some reason, the e-book is under revision. Hopefully it will be finished by Fall 2015.

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1450547389
• ISBN 13: 9781450547383
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 196
• Editor: Costilow Christopher T