New Book Chronicles California Fashion History
Fashion veterans Marian Hall, Marjorie Carne and Sylvia Sheppard, like many in the industry, have long been disappointed in the lack of recognition that California’s apparel designers receive on the world fashion stage, so they decided to write a book. “California Fashion: From the Old West to New Hollywood,” recently released by Abrams Publishers, chronicles California’s fashion influences, from Levi Strauss’ denim origins, to “the fashion swimsuit” popularized by companies such as Cole and Catalina, to the new age of Hollywood glamour.
The authors were present at the California Market Center’s Fashion Bookstore during Los Angeles Fashion Week to sign copies of the 175-page hardback (graced by a Roxy-clad female surfer on its cover). Between them, they have decades of experience in the industry. Hall is a former Bullock’s merchandiser and currently a curator of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) costume museum. Carne was fashion director for the old California Fashion Creators; Sheppard is a former Women’s Wear Daily editor and administrator for Bullock’s.
“There really hasn’t been much done about California’s fashion history and how it’s affected how we dress,” said Hall. “You see denim everywhere now, and a lot of that originated in California. It’s also difficult to see the other fashion centers not willing to recognize what California has done for world fashion.”
Added Sheppard, “We’re hoping this book will help people realize what we’ve done here in California.” —Robert McAllister
