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Fifty Bags & Hats That Changed the World
Bags: Hardcover, 106 pages; 2011
Hats: Hardcover, 106 pages; 2011
Members' Price (UD8892): $17.00

  Illustrated tours through bag and hat trends and innovations, these beautifully produced books from London's Design Museum engagingly explore the interplay between function and style in accessory fashion. From the carpetbags of the 1860s to a futurist "accordion" handbag designed by Lie Sang Bong in 2010, Bags features handsome photographs of fifty iconic bags--both general styles, such as a schoolboy satchel from the 1950s, and specific designs, like Hermès's oversized Birkin bag. In Hats, you'll find photos of a 1920s cloche hat, Carmen Miranda's fruit-filled turban, a Bell bike helmet, Aretha Franklin's bejeweled bow hat from the 2009 presidential inauguration, and more. Both volumes offer concise essays explaining the cultural and historical context of the featured styles. Valuable references as well as fascinating reads, both books are sure bets for the fashion forward! (AG)