Book excerpt: In an accessible style that will appeal to the professional, student and laymen, the authors explain the methods for creating and simulating clothes for virtual humans. Using numerous detailed illustrations, colourful images, and step-by-step analysis they map out the terrain of this exciting and cutting-edge discipline. Starting with the beginnings in the mid 1980s and the basic foundations from the field of mechanics, the reader is gradually introduced to the subject. The text draws on a number of related fields such as computer graphics, algorithmics, computational geometry, simulation, modeling, animation, visualization, and virtual reality. The MIRACloth system, developed by the authors, is used as a case study for the results and techniques discussed. The book comes with a CD-ROM featuring dynamic demonstrations of 3D clothes and fashion shows. This is an indispensable text for anybody who wants an intelligent and readable book on virtual clothing.