Decades: A Century of Fashion

Image of Decades: A Century of Fashion
Release Date: 
October 16, 2012
Publisher/Imprint: 
Bloomsbury USA
Pages: 
320
Reviewed by: 

The immediate reaction that one has to this fashion tome is based on its shape and size. Decades: A Century of Fashion has the same flash and dash as its author Cameron Silver.

Mr. Silver, who certainly doesn’t shy away from being noticed, has exercised the same philosophy for this, his first book about 100 years of fashion. Indeed, It would be difficult not to take note of this physically imposing and impeccably executed book.

The subject matter for the book is as self-explanatory as it can get but what one comes to understand is that “the” century’s cast of characters is strictly wide open to interpretation.

Mr. Cameron and Ms. DiLiberto have taken an extremely personal look at the past 100 years with respect to the world of fashion and fashion events. The usual suspects are included, but the selected individual profiles highlighted by the authors are anything but run of the mill.

The book would more aptly be titled Cameron Silver’s Look at the Past 100 Years of Fashion rather than implying this is some serious historical account. Granted, most historical fashion reference books lack the witty remarks and blithe descriptions Mr. Silver provides, but they are certainly more inclusive and accurate.

I was quite taken back that the design of the wedding outfit worn by Bianca Jagger when she married Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones was attributed to Ossie Davis and not Yves St. Laurent, who has historically received all the credit since that event took place. This is a glaring mistake. What also needs to be noted here is that Decades: A Century in Fashion is a book that must be read as well and not just skimmed through for the photographs because the photos will not necessarily jive with one’s perceptions of each of the decades—not to mention that one would lose out on Mr. Silver’s amusing commentary throughout.

The 411 on the book is that this is most definitely more of an insider’s look at the century and most definitely Decades: A Century of Fashion can be better appreciated by those with more than a passing knowledge of fashion.

More personal coverage of Mr. Silver’s history and the history of his landmark business—that took the fashion industry by storm and consequently changed the industry’s perceptions about buying and wearing vintage clothes—would have been welcomed.

An interesting addition to any fashion library.