Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear

Contemporary designers are questioning established forms of masculine dress, seeking to liberate wearers from traditional models. This book combines fashion with artistic and cultural histories, tracing connections across and beyond European menswear, celebrating both rich traditions and daring individualists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: V & A Publishing

In a time of remarkable creativity in men's fashion, and ongoing discussions about gender, contemporary designers are challenging established norms and seeking to liberate wearers from traditional notions of masculine dress. This comprehensive book explores the intersection of fashion, artistic, and cultural histories, examining the designers, tailors, and artists who have constructed and performed masculinity from the Renaissance to the present day. It delves into the rich traditions and bold individualists that have shaped European menswear, while also celebrating connections beyond its borders.

Undressed, the first part of the book, delves into the role of the body and underwear in fashioning masculinities. Overdressed, the second part, explores the power dynamics of sartorial bravado. Redressed, the third part, deconstructs the modern masculine uniform: the black suit.

Featuring a diverse range of cultural touchstones, from Hercules to Virgil Abloh, Giovanni Battista Moroni to Jawaharlal Nehru, Yves Saint Laurent to Kehinde Wiley, Marcus Rashford, Marlene Dietrich, and even Captain America, Fashioning Masculinities challenges our preconceptions about menswear. It uncovers the fascinating historical roots beneath the power, artistry, and diversity of masculine attire and appearance today.

This captivating book is a must-read for anyone interested in fashion, gender, and cultural history, providing a fresh perspective on the evolution of masculine identity over the centuries.

Weight: 1816g
Dimension: 249 x 319 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838510114