Wedded Perfection Two Centuries of Wedding Gowns
Cynthia Amnéus. With essays by Katherine Jellison and Sara Long Butler
Published by GILES in association with Cincinnati Art Museum
Publish Date — October 2010 (UK and USA)
Dimensions — 272 pages, 279 × 229 mm (9 × 11 in.), portrait
Illustrations — 136 colour and 21 b & w
Hardback price — UK£30.00 / US$45.00
ISBN — 978-1-904832-84-3
Trade Orders — Please visit our Trade Orders section
Press Release — Wedded Perfection: Two Centuries of Wedding Gowns
Sales Points
“Wedded Perfection is a delight” Alexendra Eastman, Piecework
“Much more than a catalogue.” “The academic approach unravels the layers of human, social and economic history so often locked into historical objects” Althea Mackenzie, Costume
“Beautiful images and enlightening essays” Heather Vaughan, Worn Through (www.wornthrough.com)
“A scholarly record”, Eve M.Kahn, New York Times
“A showcase of beautiful dresses, and…a study of the status of women in the past 200 years.” Kathy Schwartz, Cincinnati Enquirer
“A thoroughly enjoyable book, I would highly recommend it to all students of creative subjects. It raises timeless issues of gender equality, society and the ever changing roles of women, and does so in a way that still enables all girls to picture themselves lavishly clad in an elaborate vintage frock. Perfection!” Rosaleen Gallagher, LSMedia.com
About the Book
Wedded Perfection: Two Centuries of Wedding Gowns explores the compelling allure of the white, single-use wedding dress for modern women and its iconic stature in Western cultures. Full-length colour plates and exquisite details of nearly 60 wedding gowns and dresses from the late 18th century to the present day, drawn from Cincinnati Art Museum’s internationally renowned permanent collection, are supplemented with loans from major designers. These include work by Jeanne Lanvin, Christian Dior, Paco Rabanne, Vera Wang, Bob Mackie, Yohji Yamamoto and Zac Posen.
Cynthia Amnéus examines the role of women within society, the institution of marriage and the evolving aesthetics of wedding gowns. Two further essays discuss the establishment of the bridal industry after World War II and the democratization of the white wedding gown for working class brides.
An interpretive entry is provided for each gown detailing construction techniques and fashionable characteristics, original bridal photos, comparative illustrations, and information about the designers.
