www.Fashion.net

Fashion news, designer web sites, biographies, catwalk photos, job postings and "how-to" advice all come together on Fashion.net. Fashion.net is one of the leading fashion-related websites. Its simple organization and qualitative selection of content makes it informative, easy to navigate and fun to use.

The fashion news on Fashion.net is straight-forward and concise, making it easy to read online. The multimedia features are fun and informative. The runway show photos are limited to the best of each collection, and the photos may be enlarged for optimal viewing. The designer bios feature a picture of each designer, along with a biography and information on the designer.s headquarters.

Fashion.net also includes a valuable job posting section, which lists current job openings in the industry. The "How-To" section offers advice on how to succeed in some of the most desirable jobs in the fashion industry. Be sure to include Fashion.net in your regular reading. It will keep you current and help you professionally.

Reviewed by FIDM R&RC staff member Robin Dodge, L.A..

Title: Victoria Magazine

Publisher: Hearst Communications, Inc.
959 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212.649.3730
ISSN:1040-6883
Published: Monthly
Web Site: www.victoriamag.com
Subscription Rate: $21.97/per year

Are you looking for a magazine detailing the career of a party planner? How about one that will take you on a tour of Southwestern France? Need to find inventive ways to arrange and display your Spring flowers? Or maybe even new and creative recipes for strawberries? All of this and more can be found within the gorgeously photographed pages of Victoria magazine.

Featured in each monthly issue are :

• Creative recipes
• Decorating tips
• The best of gardening
• Travel ideas and advice
• Secrets provided by the experts

Each month Victoria highlights a different entrepreneur in the arts (graphic, interior, fashion cuisine, tourism, etc.) and tells stories of how they began their business. The latest in fashion trends can also be found. So whether your hobbies include traveling, decorating, entertaining, cooking or gardening you will find something of interest in every issue of Victoria.

A basic introduction to fashion through time...

This concise paperback is under 300 pages and is full of black-and-white and color illustrations which are keyed to each particular subject. The late James Laver was a leading British costume authority. American fashion historian Christina Probert wrote the last chapter of the book, covering the time periods from WW II into the early 1980s. Costume And Fashion is both insightful and easy to read.

Costume And Fashion covers costume history for men and women from prehistoric times through most of the 20th century in broad strokes. For instance, in the first half of the 16th century, most of the European upper class wore very bright colors, while Spanish costume was extremely subdued, particularly all-black garments. As Spain became more politically powerful, Europe adopted the somber Spanish mode of dress, even as the Spanish Armada sailed for the English coast. Laver is fond of incorporating historical data, pointing out the fact that when the English fashion turned to hats, Parliament decreed in 1571, that apprentices must continue to wear caps.

Laver reminds us several times of the very important concept of the differences between everyday and ceremonial dress and the influence of socioeconomic status on dress. The illustrations are detailed and include close-ups. Costume And Fashion is a good basic introduction to the subject, guaranteed to entice the reader into further research.

Reviewed by FIDM R&RC staff member Elizabeth Lady, S.F..