Unusual costume designs from more than two centuries of European fashion history – ranging from Neo-Classicism and Biedermeier to the late 20th century – and including cutting-edge creations by European fashion designers as well as aspiring ‘young stars on the fashion firmament’. These fashion designs show how ideals of beauty change, often defined by prevailing fashions and shaping the female silhouette in spectacular ways.

Focusing on the aspect of ‘moulding femininity’, texts and more than two hundred illustrations not only trace the basic lines on which fashion history has developed but shed a sharp light on the relationship between the female body and the dress clothing it. Besides numerous historical costumes the book shows creations from fashion designers such as Azzedine Alaïa, Walter van Beirendonck, Comme des Garçons, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Romeo Gigli, Eva Gronbach, Hermès, Ja!–Jungs, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Moschino, Thierry Mugler, Dries van Noten, Paco Rabanne, Darja Richter, Strenesse Gabriele Strehle, A.F. Vandevorst, Vivienne Westwood, and others.