Book Description
Over the years the bra has been stereotyped as an object of seduction, glamour, and even oppression. In Uplift: A History of the Bra in America Jane Farrell-Beck and Colleen Gau use this item of clothing to gauge the social history of women and to understand the business history of fashion. Viewing fashion as a means to entertainment, self-creation, and everyday art, the authors illuminate the effect the brassiere has had on women's lives--their style, health, and economic opportunity.

Rich in examples from advertising, movies, and other areas of popular culture, Uplift moves beyond featherbones and fiberfill to provide a sense of the dynamic relationship of the bra to wider issues in society. "Uplift is extremely well-researched, and is significantly better than previous histories of the brassiere."--Valerie Steele, Fashion Institute of Technology

Jane Farrell-Beck is Professor of Textiles and Clothing at Iowa State University. Colleen Gau is President of CPRTex, Inc., a home-based conservation of textiles business and the author of articles on clothing and health.

Uplift: The Bra in America
by Jane Farrell-Beck and Colleen Gau (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2002. ISBN: 0812218353;. 264 pages, softcover, $19.95)

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