Fashion A to Z:An Illustrated Dictionary

Alex Newman is a writer and designer. He researched, cowrote, and designed DPM: Disruptive Pattern Material with Hardy Blechman of Maharishi. Zakee Shariff is an illustrator and fashion designer. She launched her own collection in 1996, later introducing a younger diffusion line called Maggie. She has also produced illustrations for Atlantic Records, TopShop, Nokia and Coca Cola.

Arranged alphabetically as a fashion dictionary, with cross-references to relevant terms and clear, concise and up-to-date definitions. Types of terminology covered include: Explanations of garment descriptions (e.g. angel sleeve, bandeau, barrel cuff, basque, bodice, hobble skirt, kitten heel, pea coat, funnel collar, shell) Descriptions of types of cut and tailoring (e.g. asymmetric, bias cut, French seam) Description of sewing techniques (e.g. applique, picot stitch, flocking) Materials commonly used in fashion (e.g. Abalone, broccade, gabardine, percale, rayon, worsted fabric) General terms used in fashion circles (e.g. rag trade, ready-to-wear, set-in, bespoke) plus explanations of abbreviations such as CAD (computer aided design), LBD (little black dress) and TPI (threads per inch)