'You have a much better life if you wear impressive clothes', according to Vivienne Westwood. A global icon, Vivienne Westwood's career has spanned three decades from the early days of punk to the successful establishment of her own fashion house. This book is a study of her work as a ground-breaking fashion designer.

Focuses on Parisian and British couture between 1947 and 1957, a decade that Christian Dior described as fashion's 'golden age'. This work features stunning gowns and exquisite tailoring from designers such as Balenciaga, Balmain, Givenchy, and Dior as well as photographs by the likes of Richard Avedon and Cecil Beaton.

Part of the V&A Fashion in Detail series, this book illustrates the intricate details of twentieth-century fashion with photographs, expert commentaries and line drawings.

This volume explores the creative genius of couturiers, from Balenciaga and Balmain to Vivienne Westwood and Yuki through the details of their work. There are over 80 entries arranged in seven sections: seams; gathers; tucks and pleats; collars, cuffs and pockets; and buttons.

First published to accompany an exhibition at the V&A, this book looks at the three main trends which are currently dominating international fashion: the arrival of the British superstar designers; the European conceptual, minimalist movement; and the influential Japanese designers.

Exploring the changing styles and uses of bags, this book features photographs of bags from V and A's famous collections.