The fashion resource book Men

Leach (Univ. of Westminster; Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London) previously wrote The Fashion Resource Book: Research for Design (CH, Jan'13, 50-2413). This new volume is divided into three sections: "The Research Process" (basically case studies of 11 designers); "Research and Inspiration" (more case studies, this time of subjects such as Fair Isle and camouflage, and companies such as Carhartt WIP and Lee); and finally, "Garment Biographies" (a section of detailed discussions of iconic coats and jackets, such as the trench coat, the denim jacket, and the motorcycle jacket). Although this volume offers a fair amount of historical information, it is firmly rooted in the here and now, and thus ends up being a snapshot of early-21st-century men's fashion companies and trends. A slim-ish book, it is heavy on illustrations, which are informative and attractive. It will be useful for large fashion collections, and libraries with a particular focus on fashion or US/European pop culture, with a bit of Japanese influence thrown in. --Corinne L. Stevens, Lake Forest College

This follow-up to the Fashion Resource Book is an insightful primer detailing the history of menswear and offering a guide to designing men's fashion. Industry veteran Leach, who lectures at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, identifies the roots of menswear and the framework within which men's fashion design has been constrained. The book is divided into three sections, with the first, "The Research Process," taking a close look at the practices of several quintessential designers: Burberry, Kim Jones (Louis Vuitton), Alexander McQueen, and others. The bulk of the book focuses on "Research and Inspiration," analyzing street style and pop culture, providing case studies about the design and research practices of labels (Barbour, Levi Strauss, Carhartt, and others) and examining the origins and design of heritage, formal wear, uniform, workwear, sportswear, and avant-garde fashion. In the final section, Leach offers "Garment Biographies" of today's staples: the trench coat, pea coat, motorcycle jacket, duffle coat, and other items. Leach's authority on fashion research and design permeates the book, which features striking photographs of vintage and contemporary men's fashion. This collection is not only dedicated to the roots of menswear but to inspiring the design practices of students and professionals alike. 277 color and 116 b&w illus. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.