Dress codes: The ultimate compendium of clothing Clothes define people. A person s attire, whether it s a sari, kimono, or business suit, is an essential code to his or her culture, class, personality, even faith. Founded in 1978, theKyoto Costume Instituterecognizes the importance of understanding clothes from sociological, historical, and artistic perspectives. Withone of the world s most extensive clothing collections, the KCI has amassed a wide range of historical garments, underwear, shoes, and fashion accessories dating from the18th century to the present day.Showcasing the Institute s vast collection, Fashionis afascinating excursion through the last three centuries of clothing trends. Featuring impeccable photography of clothing expertly displayed and arranged on custom-made mannequins, it is a testimony to attire as an essential manifestation of our very being and to the Institute's passion for fashion as a complex and intricate art form.The book's authors include some of the smartest minds and sharpest eyes in fashion studies: Akiko Fukai(Chief Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Tamami Suoh(Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Miki Iwagami(Lecturer of fashion history at Sugino Fashion College (Tokyo)), Reiko Koga(Professor of fashion history at Bunka Women s University), andRie Nii(Associate Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute). About the series: Bibliotheca Universalis Compact cultural companions celebrating the eclectic TASCHEN universe at an unbeatable, democratic price Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, the name TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible, open-minded publishing.Bibliotheca Universalisbrings together nearly 100 of our all-time favorite titles in a neat new format so you can curate your own affordable library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia.Bookworm s delight never bore, always excite "