It focuses on key movements and innovations in style for both men and women, and explores these through the work of the most original and influential designers and couturiers. Chapters are organized chronologically to highlight crucial shifts in style and major world eventse. Exciting and at times revolutionary advances in fashion are placed within economic, political and cultural contexts.

This new edition is brought right up to date with a chapter that discusses, among many topics, the importance of new fashion centres in India and China, the dominance of the high street, and how fashion is now so multi-cultural and fast moving.

A reference section includes an extensive bibliography, making this an invaluable survey for all those interested in modern and contemporary fashion.

Valerie Mendes, formerly Head of the Textiles and Dress Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum, is a freelance fashion and textiles historian and consultant. She has curated numerous exhibitions and published widely.
Amy de la Haye is Reader in Material Culture and Fashion Curation and Joint Course Director for MA Fashion Curation at London College of Fashion. From 1991 to 1998 she was Curator of Twentieth-Century Dress at the Victoria and Albert Museum. She has lectured widely and published extensively on the subject of fashion since 1900.