An impeccably researched and beautifully produced concise history of bags through the ages, with examples drawn from the Victoria and Albert Museum's remarkable collection.
From the hand-stitched embroidered purses of the 16th century, to the make-do-and-mend bags of the war years and the rise of the It bag in the 2000s, bags reflect the needs and desires of their users, as well as the changing attitudes to fashion. Focusing on the V&As world-famous collection, Bags tells the story of the bag from the earliest leather pouches through to todays covetable, luxury pieces.
Introduction
Chapter One: Girdle Pouches and Almoners: The 14th and
15th Centuries
Chapter Two: Pokes, Purses and Swete Bagges: The 16th and
17th Centuries
Chapter Three: Pockets, Purses and Work-bags: 170090
Chapter Four: Reticules: 17901830
Chapter Five: Bags, Purses and
Chātelaines: 183080
Chapter Six: The Handbag: 18801918
Chapter Seven:
Dance Bags, Clutches and Make-do-and-Mend: 191845
Chapter Eight: The New
Look, Shoulder Bags and Designer Handbags: 19452000
Chapter Nine: Man
Bags, Totes and Mini Bags: 2000sThe Present Glossary Selected
Bibliography Major Dress Collections Featuring Bags Authors Biographies
Claire Wilcox is Senior Curator, Department of Furniture, Textiles and Fashion at the V&A and Professor in Fashion Curation, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London. Elizabeth Currie is a lecturer and author specializing in fashion and textiles. She was formerly a research fellow at the Royal College of Art and an assistant curator in the Fashion, Textiles and Furniture Department of the V&A.
