The history of costume is not only the history of material culture and applied art but also another key to the history and culture of various peoples, allowing us to trace the evolution of their national values and worldview, as well as the influence they have on one another.
The book by F. F. Komissarzhevsky, published in 1910, is the first fundamental study of the history of costume in Russia. The work is truly encyclopedic. The reader can expect an exciting narrative about what people wore, what fabrics they used for sewing, what accessories and decorations they preferred, what they wore on their heads, and what on their feet, including the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt and Persia, Syria and Ethiopia, Arab countries, as well as the Etruscans, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and finally, Europeans from the 10th century to the beginning of the 20th century.
The new edition contains over 400 color illustrations, including works of painting and sculpture that vividly demonstrate the clothing of different eras, as well as numerous photographs of actual fabrics, toiletry items (waistcoats, corsets, headgear, collars, handkerchiefs, shoes, fans, etc.) and decorations.
The book remains an indispensable source of knowledge for designers, fashion history specialists, historians, and costume artists in theater and cinema today.