Koda, Harold and Jan Glier Reeder — Charles James: Beyond Fashion

New York, The Metropolian Museum of Art, 2014. Hardcover. Illustrated color pictorial boards, printed mylar dust jacket with black lettering, 262 pp. illustrations throughout in both bw and color. "This lavishly illustrated book offers a comprehensive study of James's life and work, highlighting his virtuousity and inventiveness as well as his influence on subsequent designers. Exciting new photography of the spectacular evening dresses and revolutionary tailored daywear James produced between 1932 and 1956 is featured alongside vintage photographs and rarely seen archival items, such as muslins, dress forms, and sketches. An illustrated chronology illuminates James's complex and colorful personality, unorthodox design processes, and visionary business concepts; it also explicates his relationships with eminent supprters, such as Salvador Dali and Christian Dior, and illustrious clients, including Millicent Huttleston Rogers, Mrs. Williams Randoph Hearst Jr. and Gypsy Rose Lee. A behind-the-scenes look at conservation efforts to both prepare James's work for exhibition and preserve it for posterity reveals the unconventional materials and unprecedented construction techniques he used to engineer his iconic structural gowns." - dust jacket description. VG/VG (in excellent condition) .