The Kyoto Costume Institute

Beautiful garments photographed in exquisite color and detail. It is a feast for the eyes even for those who aren't fascinated by fashion history. For us, it is breathtaking!

Exquisite photography

This is quite possibly the best photo reference of historic costume that I have ever seen. The sheer number of originals displayed is nearly unbelievable. Like other amateur costume historians I've spent plenty of time squinting at those tiny pictures available on various websites or pouring over the tiny Kyoto Institute book that Taschen had put out previously. This set of books blows them all away.

Sumptuous photography of extent Western fashion from the 18th - 20th centuries in the collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute. The later quarter of the book contains fashion by Japanese designers who were previously unknown to me. Chapters include: 18th century; 19th century; 20th century - first half; 20th century - second half. (Appendices: Designers and Fashion Houses, Glossary, Bibliography, Index of Names.) Beautiful visual reference, detailed enough to be very useful,