The Fashion Book takes a fresh look at the fashion world and the people who created and inspired it. Spanning 150 years, the whole industry is represented -- from pioneering designers, including Coco Chanel and Issey Miyake, to influential photographers such as Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton and the people they photographed. Easy to use and filled with inspirational images, it is an A-Z guide to 500 clothes and accessory designers, photographers, models and those iconic individuals who instigated or symbolize a whole fashion movement. It cuts through the usual classifications and creates juxtapositions that make fascinating and unlikely partnerships: Elsa Schiaparelli sits opposite Claudia Schiffer while Vivienne Westwood rubs shoulders with Oscar Wilde. Each entry is illustrated with a photograph or drawing which shows a quintessential aspect of their work or style. An accompanying text describes where they fit into the fashion story and includes essential biographical information about the creator. In addition, The Fashion Book uses a comprehensive cross-referencing system and glossary which explains the many collaborations and techniques used in fashion, that singular business which lives somewhere between art and commerce.