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Bad Girls of Fashion: Style Rebels from Cleopatra to Lady Gaga
Bad Girls of Fashion: Style Rebels from Cleopatra to Lady Gaga | Jennifer Croll
14 posts | 9 read | 32 to read
The title says it all: Bad Girls of Fashion explores the lives of ten famous women who have used clothing to make a statement, change perceptions, break rules, attract power, or express their individuality. Included are Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, Coco Chanel, Marlene Dietrich, Madonna, and Lady Gaga. Sidebar subjects include: Elizabeth I, Marilyn Monroe, Rihanna, and Vivienne Westwood. Photos illuminate the text, while edgy, vividly colored illustrations depict the subjects with interpretive flair. Readers will learn not only about changing fashion styles through history, but about changing historical attitudes toward women, and the links between fashion and art, film, music, politics, and feminism. With an energetic, appealing writing style, Croll demonstrates how through the ages, women often without other means of power have used fashion as a tool, and how their influence continues to shape how women present themselves today."
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JenlovesJT47
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Pickpick

I got this on a whim at the library cause I liked the cover. It has its pros and cons. I‘ve learned about some people I didn‘t know about before, but I think it could have been better. There aren‘t enough pictures and it‘s fairly disorganized. Still, I‘m giving it a pick because it‘s worth reading. 3.5⭐️

67 likes3 stack adds
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TheSloanRanger
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Pickpick

The power might be out but at least I can catch up on my reading!

Last night's weather did some damage to the power lines connected to our building so everything's off while the power people fix things up. Hoping they'll be done soon so I can get back to, but since this book is pretty good (and beautifully illustrated) I'm not exactly complaining 😁

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Lindy
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Pickpick

Lots of feminist history in this exploration of how women have used fashion choices to rebel. The individuals include PoC as well as queer folk. The layout is a bit confusing, with shorter features interrupting longer pieces, but the overall effect is engaging and informative.

Reviewsbylola Looks like a fun read! 8y
Lindy @Reviewsbylola Yes, fun is exactly right. 😊 8y
43 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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Lindy
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Whether she's playing an alien or a piece of meat, a swarthy man or an ultrafeminine diva, Gaga makes the point that all clothing is, in a sense, a costume - a way to explore different identities.

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Lindy
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One of Dietrich's most scandalous rumoured affairs was with her lookalike, Greta Garbo - though whether the affair is truth or simply another part of the myth of Marlene Dietrich is impossible to prove. Regardless, her reputation stuck with her. When she was replaced in one film by another actress, Tallulah Bankhead, Bankhead quipped: "I always did want to get into Dietrich's pants."

Hobbinol I just love this.👏🏻 8y
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Kelly
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Tempering the heavy novel I'm reading with this #cybils nonfic title that looks utterly delightful.

28 likes2 stack adds
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queerbookreader
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Pickpick

Awesome book. Written more for YA audience, which I'm totally cool with bcz it only increases accessibility, while still being informative. Overall a little white for my comfort, but has *phenomenal* discussions and features about gender identity/fluidity and sexuality in fashion (see: Marlene Dietrich, Fashion Gender Bender). It also defines cultural appropriation in the Madonna feature, thank u god.

43 likes5 stack adds
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queerbookreader
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I'm only on chapter three but this book is the 💣. All about famous bad ass women who used fashion to secure themselves as an iconic symbol or used it to influence others around them to their advantage. Has thus far mentioned Cleopatra, Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi, Elizabeth I, Angela Davis, Marie Antoinette, Rose Bertin, Wallis Simpson, and Coco Chanel. #idresslikeadumpsterfire #butthisisstillwayrad #nonfictionnovember

ValerieAndBooks Adding to stack! I've always been fascinated by fashion history even though my personal style is very bland (I'd rather spend any money on books than clothes). 8y
charl08 Great cover. Is the art the same style inside? 8y
queerbookreader @charl08 It is! There are some originally existing photos and portraits in the book too but there's also a lot of funky art like the cover in it too 8y
charl08 Sounds great. 8y
53 likes7 stack adds4 comments
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Kelly
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This is my cybils reading pile from library holds this week alone. SO MUCH FUN WITH RADOM TOPICS.

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WanderingBookaneer
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Mehso-so

While I was a fan of the information and the icons contained within its pages, I did not like the format. Stories were interrupted by shorter pieces on other fashion icons. And the illustrations did not reflect the icons' personalities. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

41 likes3 stack adds
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WanderingBookaneer
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Little did @BookishMarginalia know that while she napped for three hours I had taken her iPad and caught up on her Net Galley picks.

BookishMarginalia Yes, I've been VERY productive on our #blackoutday! 8y
60 likes1 comment
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WanderingBookaneer
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Halfway through this book. While I am enjoying the text I am not enjoying the format nor the illustrations. Pictured here: Frida Kahlo

gibblr That's so funny b/c I was thinking I quite like this illustration! 8y
WanderingBookaneer @gibblr : They are colorful and lively, but I don't think Frida would approve of this illustration. 8y
gibblr Well that's different than not enjoying the illustrations! 8y
Nebklvr @WanderingBookaneer They are colorful and lively, but they for some reason don't make me think Frida K. Maybe they seem too cheerful and a little glib. Her stuff always left me feeling a little uneasy. 8y
WanderingBookaneer @Nebklvr : I think that's it. They are so lively that most don't seem to go with their subjects. 8y
42 likes1 stack add5 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
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Bon naps by my side as I read.

SharonGoforth 😻😻 8y
DebinHawaii Sweet kitty 🐱❤️ 8y
AnnieReads Cats are great reading companions! 8y
67 likes1 stack add3 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
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I hope the other chapters don't end as abruptly as this one did!

28 likes1 stack add