Fiona Kay – författare

Despite – or perhaps because of – the privations of war, the 1940s was one of the greatest decades for fashion in Britain. The designs and fashions of the 1930s would linger on through the early years of the Second World War but with shortages and rationing firmly in place, the Utility clothing available in the shops had to overcome these restrictions and still look new and vivid. Because so much of the war effort depended on Britain’s women, fashion was considered important for morale.Fashion in the 1940s ranged from military uniforms (for men and women) to siren suits to be worn to keep warm in air raid shelters at night and the demob suits issued to those leaving the services at the end of the war. The mantra of ‘make-do and mend’ would spawn a decade of creativity, and a generation who would not let austerity prevent them from looking good. Transatlantic and military influences were everywhere, and after the war was over Dior’s ‘New Look’ set the scene for the fashions of the prosperous 1950s.This book is part of the Britain’s Heritage series, which provides definitive introductions to the riches of Britain’s past, and is the perfect way to get acquainted with 1940s fashion in all its variety.

This book analyses the current status of women in the law, drawing on two major studies in Canada in 1985 and 1990, and relating the findings to women and the legal profession in the United States.

In the last thirty years, the number of lawyers in the United States and Canada has more than tripled, and today as many women as men are entering legal practice. The sudden, dramatic increase of women in the profession would seem to signify a new era of equality in the legal profession. However, stereotypes about women''s abilities to balance responsibilities at work and home hamper their upward mobility in this male-dominated field. Battling sexual discrimination, women in law grapple with long-held assumptions about parenting, inferring that women eventually abandon their careers in order to take care of home and children. A large percentage of women leave the profession dissatisfied and distressed or seek part-time solutions, and those women who do stay in practice often find there is a ceiling on their status and monetary compensation. Gender in Practice demonstrates and explains how the structure of legal practice has changed in recent decades, often to the disadvantage of women. The issues addressed here, such as conflicts between careers and family, departures from practice, and barriers to women''s promotions and earnings are of great importance to members of the profession. Looking at the careers of both men and women and using information culled from two surveys that include nearly two thousand lawyers, this revealing book traces occupational and personal experiences and analyzes these patterns in terms of work and gender. The findings are linked to practical proposals for change, some of which have already found a place in the profession. A major contribution to discussions of sexual equality in the legal workplace, Gender in Practice offers detailed insights into the current and future status of women in the law. Lawyers, law professors, and anyone concerned with gender inequality and equal rights will find this to be an interesting and informative work.

Social capital is arguably the most critical idea to emerge in thesocial sciences in the last two decades. Emphasizing the importance ofsocial networks, communication, and the symbolic and material exchangesthat strengthen communities, social capital has been the subject of anexpansive body of literature. Social Capital, Diversity, and theWelfare State represents a landmark consideration of the diversemeanings, causal foundations, and positive and negative consequences ofsocial capital, with a particular focus on its role in mitigating orenhancing social inequalities.The chapters, written by economists, political scientists, andsociologists, address a range of empirical and theoretical issues. Thisbook is cutting-edge addition to the field that offers fresh insightsinto the conceptualization, operation, sources, and consequences ofsocial capital in Canadian society.

An account of the lives of the British people and wartime organizations during WWII, with photographs and remembrances from the author''s personal archives.Faces of the Home Front presents fascinating insight into the people, organizations and events on the British Home Front during the Second World War. This is the story of ordinary people in extraordinary times told through an array of previously unpublished rare photographs, illustrations and ephemera. If you have wondered how Air Raid Wardens, Ambulance crews, Home Guard, Firemen, Special Constables, Women''s Voluntary Service and the Women''s Land Army were recruited and trained, how they were uniformed and what their duties entailed in wartime were, this is the book for you.Drawing on the authors'' own extensive archives of original photographs, training manuals, documents, decades of research and interviews with those who were there, there are stories of well-known events such as the Blitz on London as well as other often lesser known events and incidents around the country. The combination of images and stories vividly bring to life the stories of people in cities, towns and countryside as they experienced evacuation, rationing, black-outs and air raids. This volume is a valuable addition to the bookshelf of any family historian, collector, or historical re-enactor.

Faces of the Home Front presents a fascinating insight into the people, wartime organisations, events, life and work on the British Home Front during the Second World War. This is the story of ordinary people in extraordinary times told through an array of previously unpublished rare photographs, illustrations and ephemera. If you have wondered how Air Raid Wardens, Ambulance crews, Home Guard, Firemen, Special Constables, Women''s Voluntary Service and the Women''s Land Army were recruited and trained, how they were uniformed and what their duties entailed in wartime were, this is the book for you. Drawing on the authors'' own extensive archives of original photographs, training manuals, documents, decades of research and interviews with those who were there, there are stories of well-known events such as the Blitz on London and many other often lesser known events and incidents around the country, some deeply moving, some harrowing and some that show how the kindness and selfless bravery of people that helped get Britain through its darkest hours. The combination of images and stories vividly bring to life the experiences of people in cities, towns and countryside in wartime as they experienced evacuation, rationing, the black-out and air raids touched the lives of everyone. This volume is a valuable addition to the bookshelf of any family historian, collector, re-enactor.

A delightfully illustrated history of women''s wear in Victorian England, with decade-by-decade details of the styles—and the lifestyles they represented. Victorian Fashions for Women explores British styles and clothing throughout the long reign of Queen Victoria, from the late 1830s to the first years of the twentieth century. It provides a superb overview of the dresses, hats, hairstyles, corsetry, undergarments, shoes, and boots that combined to present the prevailing styles for each decade. It reflects a variety of women—from those who had enough money to have day and evening wear and clothes for sports and outdoor activities, to those with limited income and wardrobes, to laboring folk with little more than the clothes they stood up in. All decades are illustrated with original photographs, advertisements, and contemporary magazine features from the authors'' own remarkable collections, accompanied by a knowledgeable and informative text that describes the fashions, their social history context, and influences reflected in the clothes of the time. Laid out in a clear and easy-to-follow chronological order, the key features of styles, decoration, and accoutrements will help family historians to date family photographs and provide a useful resource for students, costume historians, or anyone with a love of fashion and style to enjoy.