📖 Overview
James Laver (1899-1975) was a British art historian, museum curator, and writer who specialized in fashion history and costume design. He served as Keeper of Prints, Drawings and Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum from 1938 to 1959.
Laver authored numerous influential books on fashion and costume history, including "Taste and Fashion: From the French Revolution to the Present Day" (1937) and "Costume and Fashion: A Concise History" (1969). His work helped establish fashion history as a serious academic discipline, and he developed "Laver's Law" - a timeline theory about the cyclical nature of fashion trends.
As a curator, Laver organized major exhibitions on fashion and costume history at the V&A Museum and other institutions. He also wrote extensively on art history and literature, producing biographies of whistler and several works of drama criticism.
Beyond his academic work, Laver was known for his wit and public speaking abilities, frequently appearing on BBC radio programs to discuss fashion and cultural history. His expertise in dating historical clothing and photographs made him a valued consultant to museums, collectors, and theatrical productions.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Laver's clear writing style and his ability to make fashion history accessible without oversimplifying. His books contain detailed historical context and cultural analysis that readers find enriches their understanding of fashion evolution.
Readers note his "Taste and Fashion" and "Costume and Fashion" books remain relevant reference works, with specific praise for his period-by-period breakdowns and inclusion of sociological factors affecting dress. One Goodreads reviewer highlighted how "he explains complex fashion transitions in understandable terms."
Common criticisms include dated language in older works, limited coverage of non-Western fashion, and some illustrations lacking clarity or detail. Several readers mentioned wanting more photographs rather than sketches.
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- Costume and Fashion: 3.9/5 (219 ratings)
- Taste and Fashion: 4.1/5 (47 ratings)
Amazon:
- Costume and Fashion: 4.2/5 (31 reviews)
- Style in Costume: 4.0/5 (12 reviews)
Most reviews emphasize the books' value as introductory texts for fashion history students and costume designers.
📚 Books by James Laver
Taste and Fashion: From the French Revolution to the Present Day (1937)
A comprehensive examination of how clothing styles evolved from 1789 through the early 20th century, analyzing social and cultural influences on fashion trends.
Style in Costume (1949) A detailed study of clothing throughout history, including analysis of garment construction, materials, and cultural context.
Museum Piece (1963) An autobiographical account of Laver's experiences as Keeper of the Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Modesty in Dress (1969) A historical analysis of how concepts of modesty have influenced clothing design and social norms across different cultures and time periods.
Drama: Its Costume and Décor (1951) An exploration of theatrical costume design and stage decoration throughout history, examining their role in dramatic productions.
Costume and Fashion: A Concise History (1969) A chronological survey of Western dress from ancient times to the modern era, documenting major changes in fashion and their historical context.
Costume Through the Ages (1963) An illustrated history of clothing styles from ancient civilizations to the mid-20th century, focusing on significant developments in fashion.
English Costume of the Eighteenth Century (1931) A detailed examination of clothing worn in England during the 1700s, including both aristocratic and common dress.
Style in Costume (1949) A detailed study of clothing throughout history, including analysis of garment construction, materials, and cultural context.
Museum Piece (1963) An autobiographical account of Laver's experiences as Keeper of the Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Modesty in Dress (1969) A historical analysis of how concepts of modesty have influenced clothing design and social norms across different cultures and time periods.
Drama: Its Costume and Décor (1951) An exploration of theatrical costume design and stage decoration throughout history, examining their role in dramatic productions.
Costume and Fashion: A Concise History (1969) A chronological survey of Western dress from ancient times to the modern era, documenting major changes in fashion and their historical context.
Costume Through the Ages (1963) An illustrated history of clothing styles from ancient civilizations to the mid-20th century, focusing on significant developments in fashion.
English Costume of the Eighteenth Century (1931) A detailed examination of clothing worn in England during the 1700s, including both aristocratic and common dress.
👥 Similar authors
Anne Hollander analyzes the relationship between art, fashion, and culture throughout history. Her work "Seeing Through Clothes" examines how clothing reflects social attitudes and explores similar themes to Laver's costume history research.
Aileen Ribeiro focuses on dress history and has written extensively on 18th and 19th century fashion. Her academic approach to costume studies and use of artistic evidence aligns with Laver's methodologies.
Elizabeth Wilson examines fashion through sociological and cultural lenses. Her work "Adorned in Dreams" explores fashion's role in society and builds on concepts Laver introduced about clothing's psychological functions.
Lou Taylor studies dress history using material culture methodologies. Her research on establishing academic frameworks for costume studies continues Laver's work in legitimizing fashion history as a scholarly field.
Christopher Breward writes about fashion history with focus on masculinity and urban culture. His research combines cultural theory with fashion history, expanding on Laver's ideas about the relationship between clothing and society.
Aileen Ribeiro focuses on dress history and has written extensively on 18th and 19th century fashion. Her academic approach to costume studies and use of artistic evidence aligns with Laver's methodologies.
Elizabeth Wilson examines fashion through sociological and cultural lenses. Her work "Adorned in Dreams" explores fashion's role in society and builds on concepts Laver introduced about clothing's psychological functions.
Lou Taylor studies dress history using material culture methodologies. Her research on establishing academic frameworks for costume studies continues Laver's work in legitimizing fashion history as a scholarly field.
Christopher Breward writes about fashion history with focus on masculinity and urban culture. His research combines cultural theory with fashion history, expanding on Laver's ideas about the relationship between clothing and society.