The Age of Napoleon: Costume from Revolution to Empire, 1789-1815

Rating:
Summary: Fashion in transition in the Age of Napoleon
Review: This book was published in conjunction with an exhibition at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1989. However, it is more than simply an exhibition catalogue, and in fact there isn't even a full listing in the book of the items that were on display. However, what this book does do is explore the changes of costume in France and America that occurred during the years of Napoleon's rule in France from 1789 to 1815.

The topics covered in the book include:-

1. Costume in the age of Napoleon
2. Jewels of the empire
3. Joseph Cardinal Fesch and the liturgical vestments of Lyon
4. Silk from Lyon during the empire
5. Uniforms in the Napoleonic era
6. The Emperor's wardrobe
7. American women and French fashion.


The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with colour pictures of costumes that were on display in the exhibition and by other supporting objects such as paintings and prints of the same era. This is one of the few books that go into detail on the fashions of this period and deals with other related subjects such as Napoleons efforts to revitalise the silk and lace industries of France to be used in his court and the costumes of his armies. Recommended for anyone interested in French fashions of this period, or even Regency fashion in general.