Whether they're designers in search of inspiration, wardrobe masters or mistresses in the theater or movies, students, or just lovers of beautiful things, those interested in the history of women's clothing no longer have to beat a path to Kyoto to see the world's largest private collection of fashion garments.

Instead, the Kyoto Costume Institute has published a lavish, large-format, full-color photo book titled "Fashion -- A History from the 18th to the 20th Century." The book boasts pictures of the most valuable items in the collection and Akiko Fukai, the institute's director and chief curator, characterizes the tome as a "roving museum" open to anyone, anywhere, who wants to see the exhibition at any time.

Available in English, German and French translations, as well as in Japanese, Fukai hopes this photo book "can overcome the limitations of an ordinary exhibition, which can run for only one or two months in one fixed location."