People have long done outrageous things in the name of style. But, as Serah-Marie McMahon and Dr. Alison Matthews David (scholar of textile and dress) prove in their fascinating illustrated history, Killer Style, fads and fashions don't have to be absurd to be fatal. They explain in their introduction, "At the most basic level, we rely on clothing to protect us in our daily lives.... But you might be surprised to find out that from the tops of our heads to the tips of our toes, the things we put on to look good can turn out to be very, very bad."
The fashion-investigating duo highlights the horrifying effects of mercury in felt hats, celluloid in hair combs, radium in watches and lead in makeup. They relate tragic tales of accessories: scarves strangling, corsets disfiguring and pajamas bursting into flames. McMahon and David even illustrate the lengths to which people have gone, regardless of safety, to look chic--high heels, anyone? Each topic includes examples, photos and eerie illustrations by Gillian Wilson. A fun sidebar accompanies most spreads, adding related information, like current pop culture references to green--Green Goblin, Mojo Jojo and Mister Yuk--connected to the pigment that was originally created from arsenic in the 18th century.
Killer Style is gruesomely intriguing but also enlightening in the transformations the fashion industry has experienced as a result. Geared to middle grade readers, this is a fun way to remind youngsters to value their health and safety above their appearances. --Jen Forbus, freelancer