Essays inspired by the collections at Platt Hall, The Gallery of English Costume, Manchester.

This groundbreaking book examines the relationship between the development of the consumer society and the rise of collecting by individuals and institutions. Rusell Belk considers how and why people collect, as individuals, corporations and museums, and the impact this collecting has on us and our culture. Collecting in a Consumer Society outlines the history of museum collecting from ancient civilizations to the present. It also looks at aspects of consumer culture - advertizing, department stores, mass merchandizing, consumer desires, and how this relates to the activity of collecting. Collecting in a Consumer Society is the first book to focus on collecting as material consumption. This is a provocative and engaging book, essential reading for anyone involved with the process of collecting.

A stunning collection of the best living spaces created and commissioned by the most influential people in interior design Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century is the ultimate global celebration of residential interior design and decorating. With 400 rooms organized by designer from A-Z, the book goes beyond decorators, designers, and architects to highlight exquisite interiors designed by fashion designers, artists, style icons, and film stars who have made a unique contribution to the world of interior design. Covering work from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day, the book features everything from extraordinary chateaux, stunning town houses, and luxury penthouses – to desert ranches, beach houses, and tiny jewel-like apartments in more than 25 countries. This is the essential inspirational source book for design aficionados, anyone who is interested in beautiful rooms, and for everyone who cares about the spaces in which they live.