Product Description

A wonderful book that illustrates a wealth of textile and costumes never seen before and covering all the Asian continent from Turkestan to Japan, from India to Indonesia, belonging to the Belgian Mis collection, one of the world's major private collections.

Costumes by their very nature are an intimate expression of the wearer. Clothes hug, shield and advertise the body. Both a personal expression and a public display, clothes connect the wearer to his or her physical environment on a daily basis-think of a fireman's protective coat, a chief's symbolic hat or a tuxedo for formal court presentation. Especially for occasions of importance such as wedding or funeral, clothes broadcast intention and frequently dictate behavior.

The book presents a rich selection of Asian ethnic costumes, brightly colored and beautifully decorated using techniques as varied as embroidery, batik, dyed silk, weaving, suvani, ikats, painted textiles and more. From bold ikat robes from Uzbekistan to beaded skirts from Borneo, from palm fiber jackets from the South Philippines to the silk garments of the Boginese people of Sulawesi: these garments are irreplaceable in today's world. Likewise, the techniques by which they were made are also rarely in use. Some garments were fashioned by cutting material and sewing the pieces together, but many, such as the Balinese scarf intended to wrap around the body, are flat textiles.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1896785 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-17
• Released on: 2001-11-17
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 12.12" h x 1.19" w x 10.11" l, 5.00 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages