This is a survey of the history of haute couture, from the formation of the House of Worth in mid-19th-century Paris to the major designers of the present day. The book focuses on the highly skilled crafts that are essential to the production of haute couture. Separate chapters examine tailoring techniques and finishes, weaving, draping, and the intricate decoration produced by embroiderers, feather-makers, and other craftspeople on whom couturiers rely for the execution of their ideas.

Richard Martin is an award-winning science writer whose work has appeared in "Wired, Time, Fortune, The Atlantic", and "The Best Science Writing of 2004". He is the author of "SuperFuel: Thorium, the Green Energy Source for the Future." He is" "the editorial director of Pike Research, a leading clean energy firm. He lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Harold Koda is curator in charge and Andrew Bolton is curator, both at The Costume Institute, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Nancy J. Troy is professor of modern art history at the University of Southern California.