Scarves

Albrechtsen and Solanke have compiled what should have been a gloriously illustrated volume on the 20th century history of scarves.

The text of the book is decidedly informative without being tedious, and, to their credit, is terse and not bogged down by a lot of technical data; upon completion, the reader is very well informed on the facts surrounding this classification of accessory.

The major talking points of Scarves are the origins, manufacturers, artist collaborations, uses, styles, fabrications, shapes, and manufacture of scarves.

What seems to be lacking is a more universal and commercially recognizable point of view rather than just the historical point of view. There is a definite restraint that seems evident in the telling which might be attributed to the authors’ English origins.

When one thinks of scarves, you would be hard pressed to not raise the name of Hermes and yet the brand is given precious little ink—especially since the Hermes style influenced an entire industry. Yet these facts are barely mentioned.

Another fact that is eclipsed here is the mills of Lake Como, which play a primary role in any discussion of anything using printed silks. In general, most of the examples that the authors chose to use to deliver their message are weak and not as illustrative as they might have been.

Yes, when they speak of artist/designer collaborations, the Bernard Buffet samples are perfectly illustrative of the artist. But when they point to Elsa Schiaparelli, the selected example is certainly disappointing. The same letdown occurs when they finally do exhibit the Hermes scarves and even that of the lesser known American, Vera Neumann.

One of the better points of this printed-silk and silk-bound volume is the extended index at the end of the book which offers up everything from stain removal and care to a list of the renowned manufacturers of these scarves and their collectible value.

In sum, the execution and reproduction in Scarves is flawless, but the curating leaves something to be desired.

At any rate, Scarves would make an ideal gift for an aspiring fashion aficionado or scholar as well as an exquisite coffee table book despite (or because of) its delicate, fragile, and arresting cover.