The greatly expanded and revised second edition retains the basic organization and compact format of the well-received 2007 edition, featuring a chronology to 2017, a lengthy and informative introduction that traces the history of clothing and the fashion trade, more than 1,400 entries arranged alphabetically (about one-third more than in the first edition), useful appendixes, and a comprehensive bibliography—a significant component at 110 pages with 7 categories and 37 subcategories. The work's ambitious, wide-lens editors Sterlacci (fashion designer, founder of UniversityofFashion.com) and Arbuckle (Dean, Fashion Institute of Technology’s School of Art & Design) regard fashion as a profession, an industry, and an art. As teachers and practitioners, the authors are tuned into the latest fashion trends, merchandising, evolving job market, technological advances, fashion houses, and electronic and print resources. While minor entries include essentially the same wording as in the first edition, many major entries are new or revised and brought up to date. Cross-references and supplemental material will assist students new to the field. According to the preface, the global fashion industry generates $3 trillion per year, employs 75 million people, and serves an estimated 1.7 billion people. Fashion resources have been growing in many libraries over the past 10 to 15 years. Few collections supporting theater costume or fashion programs can do without this handy new dictionary.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. All libraries. All levels.

Choice Reviews

This book, part of the Historical Dictionaries of Professions and Industries series, is in its second edition. Given the fact that humans have been wearing clothing from their ancient beginnings, the chronology ranges from 50,000 B.C.E. (Cro-Magnons making clothes out of animal skins and plants) up to the present. The introduction focuses on the rise of the fashion industry in the 19th century, discussing various important trends and individuals. Each of the entries in the dictionary is concise, with bolded terms pointing to other entries and fully capitalized terms pointing to see also references. Eight appendixes provide information on fashion magazines and periodicals, trend and forecasting services, trade periodicals and newsletters, trade shows, major trade organizations and associations, fashion and textile museums, top fashion schools, and size ranges. The extensive bibliography has many subdivisions detailing resources in history, influences, designers and brands, business, and apparel categories. A good introductory reference work for K-12 and academic libraries.

American Reference Books Annual