Reference Sources

Fashion Designers: Biographical Sources: Journal Articles

*Many contemporary fashion designers do not have books published about them; therefore, the best information can usually be found in journals.
*Search the designer's name in the keyword search box in the order of last name, first name. Example: Balenciaga, Cristobal; Klein, Calvin.
*If accessing off campus, you will be asked for a username (EUID), and password (EUID password).

This is an excellent database for the fashion and the design world. 

Bibliography of the History of Art

This is a more general, but extensive database, so you may need to add the word "designer" or "fashion" to your search to cut out irrelevant journal articles. Search example: Karan, Donna AND designer.

Biography and Genealogy Master Index search this database to find reference books that have an entry on the designer.

Fashion Designers-Biographical Sources: Books

*To find books on fashion designers, search the UNT Online Catalog. Choose subject or keyword searches.
*Search names in the following manner: Example:  Balenciaga, Cristobal. 

 *To find books on designers that are not owned by the UNT Libraries, search the World Catalog.  The World Catalog contains more than 35 million records describing items owned by libraries around the world.  Books or other materials not owned by UNT may be requested to be borrowed through UNT's Inter-Library Loan Department (for UNT students, faculty and staff).

Fashion Designers-Biographical Sources: Reference Books

*The books listed below are located in Reference in the Eagle Commons Library (unless otherwise noted).
*The designer's names are listed alphabetically in each of these books.

GT507 .O53 1998 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)

TT505.A1 C66 1995 c. 2

TT505.A1S73 1996

TT505.A1S74

TT495.F37 1994 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)

Historic Costume and Fashion: Image Databases

History of Costume
This is a database of historic costume images found in fine art works. It is a great source to find out what costumes, accessories and hairstyles were being worn in a different historical periods in various countries.  It is arranged by historic periods from  ancient Egypt to 1992.

*If accessing off campus, you will be asked for a username (EUID), and password (EUID password).

Historic Costume and Fashion: Books

For books on costume and fashion in the UNT Libraries, search the
UNT Online Catalog.  Choose the Keyword search.  Search the name of the designer or topic in the search box.  Ex.: Chanel, Coco; Chanel, Coco and dress, Medieval and clothing; Medieval and fashion; "Art Deco" and fashion; accessories and renaissance; shoes and history.

How to Find and Borrow Books from other Universities:

World Catalog 
Search the World Catalog to find out about books not owned by UNT.  The World Catalog contains more than 35 million records describing items owned by libraries around the world.  Books not owned by UNT may be requested to be borrowed by UNT students, faculty and staff through UNT's Inter-Library Loan Department.

Historic Costume and Fashion: Reference Books

*All books are located in Reserve, First Floor, Willis Library (unless otherwise noted).

Survey of Historic Costume  GT580 .T67 1998
20,000 Years of Fashion (Boucher) GT510 .B6713 1967a
The Guide to Historic Costume GT507 .B33 1955 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)
Encyclopedia of World Costume (Yarwood) GT507 .Y37 (2nd floor, Willis Library)
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Costume and Fashion: from 1066 to the Present GT730 .C37 1994 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)
Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion GT507 .E53 2005 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Costume and Fashion 1550-1920 GT585 .C37 1986  (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)
Encyclopaedia of Fashion GT507 .O53 1986 (2nd floor, Willis Library)
Esquire's Encyclopedia of 20th Century Men's Fashions TT617 .S36
Evolution of Fashion GT510 .H5 1987
The Face of the Century: 100 Years of Makeup and Style GT2340 .D43 1995
Fashion: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day 391 C767f
Fashion in Costume, 1200-2000 GT511 .N85 2000
Fashions in Hair (Corson) GT2290 .C6 1970
Fashions in Makeup (Corson) GT2340 .C67
A History of Men's Fashion GT1710 .C44 1993
Men's Fashion: The Complete Source Book GT1710 .P43 1996
20th Century Fashion GT596 .P433 1993 (Reference, 1st floor, Willis Library)
Contemporary Fashion TT505.A1 C66 2002 (Reference, 1st floor, Willis Library)
Visual History of Costume GT733 .V57 1989 (2nd floor, Willis Library)

Historic Costume Books in the Rare Book and Texana Collections

The Rare Book Room on the 4th floor of the Willis Library houses many rare and fragile materials on the history of costume and fashion design. These items may be used only in the Rare Book Room.

1er à 1900 391 .G137c

391 .R11 vol. 6 pt. 2

391 C351c

391.T459

391 .G446d

391 .K885d

1837-1871; 1874-1875; 1877; 1882; 1884

391.1 .G347

2 vols. 391.2 .G347

391 .M543m

391.2 .C351

Historic Costume and Fashion Images or Reproductions: Books

*The best sources for historic costume and fashion images can be found in the Historic Costume and Fashion Identification Books.  These books are full of color images with accompanying descriptions and historical information.

  GT580 .T67 1998

GT510 .B6713 1967a

GT507 .B33 1955 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)

GT507 .Y37 (2nd floor, Willis Library)

GT730 .C37 1994 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)

GT507 .E53 2005 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)

1550-1920 GT585 .C37 1986  (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)

GT507 .O53 1986 (2nd floor, Willis Library)

TT617 .S36

GT510 .H5 1987

GT2340 .D43 1995

391 C767f

GT511 .N85 2000

GT2290 .C6 1970

GT1710 .C44 1993

GT1710 .P43 1996

GT596 .P433 1993 (Reference, 1st floor, Willis Library)

TT505.A1 C66 2002 (Reference, 1st floor, Willis Library)

Historic Costume and Fashion Images: Image Databases

History of Costume
This is a database of historic costume images found in fine art works. It is a great source to find out what costumes, accessories and hairstyles were being worn in a different historical periods in various countries.  It is arranged by historic periods from  ancient Egypt to 1992.
*If accessing off campus, you will be asked for a username (EUID), and password (EUID password).

Historic Costume and Fashion Images: Microfilm

Willis Library has an excellent collection of microfiche costume and fashion images in the Microforms Department on the Lower Level of the Willis Library. The MicF call number follows each title. Ask for the call number of the collection at the Microforms desk.

Visual Catalogue of Fashion and Costume in the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1556-1975. MicF 245  
Includes prints, drawings, and plates of costume and fashion  designs owned by the museum.
Pacquin-Worth Fashion Drawings, 1865-1956 MicF385
Provides 5,000 illustrations of Parisian fashion designs.
Fashion For America MicF633
Provides information on the U.S. fashion industry during the 20th century created from images in the collection of the Fashion Institute of Technology Library.
Swinging Sixties: Fashion Design in Britain, 1960-1969  MicF 384
Contains images of Sixties designers, haute couture, and manufacturing houses.
London College of Fashion Designer Files MicF 802
Contains 25 years of clippings of various designers' work from fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle.
New York and Hollywood Fashion and Costume Design from the Brooklyn Museum Collection MicF 366
Provides an overview of fashion and costume design from 1910
through the late 1950s. Includes 657 sketches representing 55
designers.  Examples of Hollywood designers included are Charles
LeMaire, Edith Head, Walter Plunkett, and Irene.

Style.Com
Published by Vogue Magazine's CondéNast, this site features reviews, digital  images of 6,000 contemporary runway looks for each season. Includes slideshows and video  highlights from shows in New York London, Milan and Paris.

Film & Theater Costuming: Image Databases

History of Costume
This is a database of historic costume images found in fine art works. It is a great source to find out what costumes, accessories and hairstyles were being worn in a different historical periods in various countries.  It is arranged by historic periods from ancient Egypt to 1992.
*If accessing off campus, you will be asked for a username (EUID), and password (EUID password).

Film & Theater Costuming: Books

Located in Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library (unless otherwise noted).

*Also see the Historic Costume and  Fashion Identification Sources tab for great visual reference books.

Survey of Historic Costume GT580. T67 1998
More Costumes for the Stage GT1741. J323 1993
American Costume, 1915-1970: A Source Book for the Stage Costume PN2067.03 1982
Film Costume: An Annotated Bibliography Z5691.P75
Costume on the Stage, 1640-1940 (DeMarly) GT1741.D4 1982 (2nd Floor, Willis Library)
Theatrical Costume, Masks, Make-up and Wigs: A Bibliography and Iconography Z5691 .J68 2000 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)
Film Literature Index 1973-(Abstracts & Indexes, 1st Floor, Willis Library)

Professional Fashion Sources: Books

*Books are located in the Eagle Commons Library (unless otherwise noted).

Career Opportunities in the Fashion Industry TT507 .V63 2002
Fashion Design: Process, innovation & Practice TT507 .M384 2003  
Apparel Making in Fashion Design TT520 .K4589 2002
Fashion Design Drawing Course: Principles, Practice, and Techniques TT507 .M384 2003     
Imagemakers: Cutting Edge Fashion Illustration TT509 .D39 2004
Essential Fashion Illustration TT509 .L35 2005
Fashion Illustration Now TT509 .B66 2004
The Vintage Fashion Directory: the National Sourcebook of Vintage Fashion Retailers GT507 .T87 2002  (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)
Official Price Guide to Vintage Fashion and Fabrics GT505 .S65 2001 (Reference, 1st Floor, Willis Library)

Professional Fashion Sources: Internet

The Costume Page
A comprehensive index of costume and costume-related links for those who study and/or make costumes.
Fashion Net
Designed to be a global meeting point for the fashion- and style- interested public as well as for the fashion industry.
Firstview
Features the leading designers of Paris, Milan, New York, and London. Includes 50-150 photographs of each designer's collection.
Fashion Icon
A fun fashion site that includes a store lounge and seasonal fashion reviews.