Victims of Fashion

List of contents

Introduction; 1. Murderous millinery; 2. The seal and his jacket; 3. Is the elephant following the dodo?; 4. Silk of the Andes; 5. Bitter perfumes; 6. Monkey business; Conclusion; Epilogue.

About the author

Helen Cowie is Professor of History at the University of York, where she researches the history of animals and the history of science. She is author of Conquering Nature in Spain and its Empire, 1750–1850 (2011), Exhibiting Animals in Nineteenth-Century Britain: Empathy, Education, Entertainment (2014) and Llama (2017).

Summary

Helen Cowie examines the role of animal commodities in Victorian Britain. Focusing on six animal products – feathers, sealskin, ivory, alpaca wool, animal perfumes and exotic pets – she traces their rise and fall in popularity and assesses the humanitarian and ecological issues raised by their consumption.

Additional text

'This terrific book exposes how far elites were implicated in systemised animal cruelty (historically associated with the working classes) and illustrates that while women often were pioneering advocates of animal rights, they also constituted core markets for animal commodities.' Julie-Marie Strange, Durham University

Product details

• Authors: Helen Louise Cowie, Helen Louise (University of York) Cowie
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.11.2021
• EAN: 9781108495172
• ISBN: 978-1-108-49517-2
• No. of pages: 300
• Series: Science in History
• Subjects: Guides > Health > Beauty/cosmetics; Humanities, art, music > Art > Art history; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > General, dictionaries; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, European History, SCIENCE / History, HISTORY / Europe / General, ART / History / General, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, DESIGN / Fashion & Accessories, DESIGN / History & Criticism, DESIGN / Textile & Costume, History of art & design styles: c 1800 to c 1900, c 1800 to c 1900, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, History of Art, History of Science, Industrial / commercial art & design, Social and cultural history, history of design, History of fashion, Fashion and textile design