Each bookstore will act as a concierge, recommending "the book you should read now" to FASHION HEADLINE readers. Every Thursday, each branch of the art bookshop "NADiff" will introduce a recommended book. This time, we'll be visiting the flagship store in Ebisu, Tokyo, the NADiff Apartment (1-18-4 NADiff A/P/A/R/T, 1F, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo).

■ "Clara Dressmaking Institute" Photos: Yasuhide Hisaie and Fumio Tachibana, Text: Kazuko Koike, English Translation: Ken Frankel

Clara, a publishing house and dressmaking school, was rebuilt in 1950 by the parents of creative director Kazuko Koike, after relocating and collapsing during the turbulent times of the Showa era, including the war. In 2000, the modern and elegant building was forced to be demolished. Artist Fumio Tachibana was entrusted with tracing the footsteps of Kazuko Koike's mother's clothing design, and a private exhibition by Tachibana was held in the building on the day before the demolition.

This book is a new edition of the book of the same name published in 2000, which documents the process. It is a beautiful book, containing photos that bring back to life the atmosphere of the time, including patterns made from the back of wrapping paper, design sketches, and well-used tools, as well as brown tissue paper for patterns and waxed paper used to transfer patterns onto fabric.

Although it dates back to a different era, the photos of the Clara Dressmaking Institute still have a modern and clean atmosphere today, and will be enjoyed by both experienced dressmakers and those without. It is a rare item, limited to 250 copies, and not available in general bookstores.

【Book Information】
"Clara Dressmaking Institute"
Photography: Yasuhide Hisaie and Fumio Tachibana, Text: Kazuko Koike, English Translation: Ken Frankel
Publisher: Fumio Tachibana
Language: Japanese
Softcover / 145 x 211 mm / Limited to 250 copies
Published: 2013
Price: 5,000 yen