Informative chapters that introduce each era coupled with extensive portraits of the groundbreaking fashion icons and countless expressive photographs work together to form a comprehensive portrayal of the rapid development that took fashion from the liberation of women from the corset all the way to the creations of modern designers.

This is an amazing fashion encyclopedia which traces the history of fashion design and couture over a century and half. The book is so heavy but very well bound, it's full of large high quality photos showing beautiful creations from every known label. The text is highly informative but also engaging and far from being dry or boring. I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs a comprehensive beautifully illustrated historical overview detailing the development and evolving world of fashion design.