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When Gianni Versace was shot dead outside his Miami villa on July 15, 1997, few believed that his fashion empire would survive. The chutzpah and flamboyance of Versace the fashion house seemed inseparable from Versace the man. And yet, a year later, Versace remained buoyant, its reputation and market position if anything enhanced by its creator's tragic fate.

This book goes some way toward explaining why. From his first 1980 collection, Versace cannily engaged a great photographer, Richard Avedon, who stylishly wedded his designs to a potent blend of celebrity, beauty, flesh, sex, and humor, which became instantly identifiable as Versace--poised, pansexual, tongue firmly in sculptured cheek. Whether in trademarked group shots of intricately entangled supermodels, Stallone nude and stone-faced, Elton gleeful in drag, or Bon Jovi proudly strutting his buff bod, Avedon equals Versace--to the extent that he can show Kate Moss, without a stitch of Versace (or anything else), and we know that she is thinking Versace. This gorgeous volume collects more than 170 photographs, and gives us, as it justly proclaims: "A glimpse of the impassioned shameful opulent titillating sewmanship of that daredevil magician of art and artifice who was and will always be Gianni Versace." --Alan Stewart ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nostalgic and somewhat delightful
This is an archive of the advertisments and editorials for Versace. His pictures, like his clothes are refreshing, and surprising. Those who buy this book will encounter some director's cut images. However, "The Naked" lacks the better Versace campigns. Those familiar with Versace photographs will wonder why they did not include the better shots... Some pictures are amazing, yet, some didn't have the luster. And unfortunately, the bad outnumber the good. With the price, it is still a good buy but leaves you craving more. ... Read more

Book Description

With a new theme and format for each issue, "Visionaire" stretches the imagination and boundaries of what an art and fashion publication can be. For "Visionaire #35: Man," "Visionaire" joins forces with world-renowned fashion photographer Mario Testino. Testino-who has been responsible for numerous advertising campaigns including Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein-will focus his camera on men and cull talent from around the world to contribute to an issue of "Visionaire" devoted exclusively to the masculine world. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Another "make-a-buck" issue...
I too was disappointed in this issue of Visionaire like many others. It seems Visionaire has had an "up and down" quality issue as of late. Some issues are as elaborate as can be, others are like this issue, a cheaply bound paperback magazine in a cheap plastic sleeve.

Given, the technical printing quality of the pictures and the pages with typography are very well done, but somehow there seems to be something lacking. I think this issue is somewhat better than #29 the "woman" issue, but not by much. Similar thing here, lots of pics of sexy guys, with some old guys thrown in and an obligatory section on the penis. The "pop-up" diagram of the male anatomy was pretty cool though, one of the redeaming features of this issue. The old ads for men's products were a nice touch, wish there was more of that kind of content.

I would think Mario Testino would have a bigger vision of this subject I'm sure he must be very interested in, but this doesn't have the breadth and scope of the "Chic" issue.

This isn't the worst issue to date, but it's not a must have either.

Classy-But Not What I Expected!
I was really excited about getting this new book by Mario Testino, one of my favorite photographers, but was truly disappointed when it arrived. Yes, it's a very classy publication, and comes in a unique & different pink slipcover, but not being familiar with Visionaire's previous publications, I expected a paperback book of high quality, however, what I got was a magazine. Yes, it is numbered in a limited edition of 6000 but it's not even signed by the photographer.

Mario Testino is one of my favorite photographers who has previous published many wonderful books. Mario's advertising campaigns are world-renowned. There are a lot of great images in this magazine, but I would have been so much more satisfied if Mario had published a hardcover book of his "Man" images instead, and included an extensive selection of his work. If you're a fan of Mario Testino's photography, have collected Visionaire issues before, and have a high-income budget, then you should add this to your collection. I know I'd rather stick to "Mondo Uomo" or "L'uomo Hommes Vogue" myself!

Visionaire has lost its magic
I have been a fan of Visionaire since issue 23 directed by Karl Lagerfeld and at that time the issues were fabulous and worth the price. Well that time has gone and now it is really not worth it anymore. This issue comes in a plastic sleeve and is a simple paper book. There's really nothing special about this item. When i heard that Mario Testino was the force behind this issue i thought it would be like his first issue, no. 22 chic. Well it is quite the opposite! Don't buy this item at bookstores but try to get it for less at auction sites. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Awful......
Sent the book right back the day I got it.....Need I say more.

Pretty and mindless
Lilly Pulitzer's name is practically synonymous with carefree living. From the late 60s on, she has championed a way of life that is virtually unrelated in any way to how most people really live and which had as its symbol her ubiquitous, colorful, flowery shifts. As the text makes clear, Lilly doesn't care for following rules and, lucky her, she has the means to do and live as she pleases. The narrative is competently written, echoing closely a recent Vanity Fair profile on Lilly which covered the history of her famous brand and name. One doubts that Lilly herself did much of the writing, as there is very little first person accounting. Rather, the book is presented as a very long interview with Lilly's input as quotes.

The photography in Essentially Lilly is gorgeous. Ocean and garden scenes display the young, beautiful and obviously wealthy (not to mention white - there is nary a person of color in Lilly's world, apparently) frolicking per Lilly's mantra of always enjoying oneself. Lilly's fans will enjoy seeing how the sometimes outrageous prints her clothing line produced stand up through time - vintage sales photos printed next to newer images look just as fresh as they day they were taken.

As for the recipes, well, they're not impressive or complex (WASPs aren't the most enthusiastic eaters/cooks - witness Alexandra Wentworth's "The WASP Cookbook") but they work and that's what's important. The ingredients are primarily fresh fruits, veggies and seafoods which are altered as minimally as possible. In short, they're perfect for the type of Palm Beach life that Lilly loves and encourages - a type of endless summer where it never rains, no one is ever unhappy and you never drop your sandwich into the sand.

One is astonished to read about such a rich (in every sense) life presented with such a lack of irony given current political and economic events. Still, Lilly is so happy and earnest that it's easy to forget when reading Essentially Lilly that very few people actually live as she does and it's hard not to share her enthusiastic approach to life when glancing at the pages of such a lovely book.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST....
Lilly Pulitzer lives in Palm Spring. Her home is referred to as her jungle, but there is nothing wild or scary about it, only welcoming. Her door is always open and her ideas are there to share. Lilly is known as the "creator of a dress that bears her name and style" - the shift dress. Her styles continue to carry bold, colorful prints. Lilly tells her story from the beginning when she sold the oranges to her neighbors. She was good at it, and from there her imagination grew. Soon she created the Lilly style. Now she is ready to share her entertaining ideas. In the book, her advice on entertaining can be summed up to "just have fun." _Essentially Lilly_ shows us that "living and entertaining and having good times" is the parallel between her clothing and her parties.

There are many entertaining books out there, but I think Lilly has created one of the most expressive ones yet. Whether it's water, land, or in a jungle, Lilly's got it covered. Just looking at the book will put you in a good mood!

Brenda @ MyShelf.Com

Absolutely Beautiful
Wow! What a wonderful book. Buy it without reservation! Not only is it beautifully written and illustrated with gorgeous summertime photos, it has a nice selection of what looks to be the best recipes for drinks and meals to serve for any special occasion- whether it is a tea party fundraiser or breakfast in bed. Lots of good little tips on how to just make yourself feel rejuvenated- like waking up early before every one is out and walking- either by yourself to hash out the day ahead, or with friends to share some stories. All the pictures are very "Lilly-ed" out- from the clothing to napkins and tablecloths- it is very Lilly. Makes me want to move farther south- maybe even to West Palm!

Beautiful & Spirited- would make a wonderful gift but you better buy another for yourself as well!

Like taking a vacation!
This book is so beautiful. The pictures, the message, the recipes. I sat on my deck and read this book and it made feel like I was on vacation. It also made me want to start having family and friends over more. It is a very relaxing read even if you aren't interested in recipes...it is so much more than that. Simply gorgeous! ... Read more

Book Description

The buzz created by the hardcover of this "engaging, tart, saucy, and very frank memoir" (Liz Smith) ran from a first serial in W to an "Absolut Doonan" ad to Hollywood film rights. For twenty years Simon Doonan, the creator of the hottest window displays in the world at Barney's New York, has collaborated with the biggest names in fashion and the most notorious names in art. Whether he's making fun of blondes, sending up Sigmund Freud, or creating caricatures of celebrities, his work has been fearless and entertaining kitsch. Confessions of a Window Dresser illustrates his work in glorious full-color photographs and wickedly witty commentary on the trends and people of the fashion and entertainment world. Here's a dazzling gift of glamour, laughter, and fashion history. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A great fun, fluffy and interesting book
This is an easy fun read, the photos are wonderful and Simon Doonan has such a great sense of humor.This is a one of a kind book which is interesting and comical to anyone, you do not have to be involved in the fashion or design industry to enjoy this.

Wise advices by Doonan himself...
Fashion Marketing is everywhere, especially in Fashion Windows where's the retailer's most economical form of advertising; bring glamour, fun, theatre and art to the streets, while visibly expressing the store's image. Of his approach to visual merchandising, Simon Doonan brings a wealth of personal experince and insight to these window displays. The ones who are interested in Fashion Windows, Fashion Marketing and Fashion Advertising, must have this book. (P.S. I bought this book from Amazon and received it at the right time and with no harm. Thanks Amazon.com )

A Fascinating & Colorful Memoir
I bought this book for a gift, but was so intrigued by Doonan's windows I had to read it myself. From the minimal and sometimes upsetting displays of his early years to the more recent, gaudy and pop-influenced windows of Barneys, Doonan's book shows and tells the craft, work, and often times controversy that went into his displays. An incredible glimpse of one man's work, and the importance of a store display to grab and interact with the customer. Never bores, never falters.

"The Lucky Leprechaun"
Simon Doonan gives us a gift in this delectable bon-bon of a book! The self-professed "Lucky Leprechaun", Doonan proves it does indeed take more than luck-it takes talent, drive, and vision to become a success. Dispelling the myth that all "window dressers" are poisonous, bitter, queens, this insanely funny, engaging, and gorgeously illustrated biography is the perfect late summer book. A must read!

fashion secrets revealed...very funny, too.
Mr. Doonan's personal od(d)yssey begins in dreary Reading, England turns violently into the ultra-chic dept. store of Maxfield's on the Sunset Strip, then veers off into the never-never land of Barney's. This is a visually stunning book, a great achievement in art direction, despite Doonan's persistent refusal to hold the management of Barney accountable for its heady fashion forward taj mahal nineties excesses. Nevertheless, Doonan understands his subjects (fashion and display) and imparts great wisdom for those who covet it. The appendix of useful words in the back is really great. I plan to pepper my conversations with such useful vocab as "big girl blouse" and "trag." (abbrev. form of tragic) Interestingly, Doonan never really comments (or dishes)on the deseigners themselves, but judging from the # of photos, he appears to have a soft spot for Azzedine Alaia (who doesn't?). I've also chanced upon his rather trenchant commentary... I appreciate the distinction he makes between fashion in terms of clothing and fashion in the abstract sense. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A shoe-reference from A-Z
Shoes - A Celebration of Pumps, Sandals, Slippers & More by Linda O'Keeffe, represents a historic look and guide to the general styles of shoes and recognizing the most influential designers of them, including Salvatore Ferragamo and Manolo Blahnik. Any person reading this book could say `Hey, I had a pair of shoes... made by him?' Wonderful for fashion trivia.

Great Reference
I was truely impressed with this book. Small and inexpensive, the color photography is clear and unfettered with "ambient props" (the shoes are presented with no backgrounds). The text is concise, informative and witty. While the writing gives historical background, the book makes no pretense of being an indepth scholarly treatise on the history of footwear in the mode of Colin McDowell or June Swann. This is a great nutshell overview of women's shoes; fun and useful for scholars as well as students of shoe design (it includes works by both students and teachers at Fashion Institute of Technology), and your everyday shoe lover. Given the expense of producing books with color photography, this is a great bargain.

Yum!
Sandals,platforms,heels.A real feast of footwear is shown within the pages of this compact(but quite thick)book. Great fun to flip through and a great resource for research as well..!

tiny package, HUGE fun
This book contains fluent, erudite words about shoes, but who cares? The point of the book is the luscious photography -- beautiful, enticing images of a large number of shoes.

If you have friends who also love shoes, get a copy for each one and you can sit around for hours saying "omigosh, look at page 501!" and "wow, Carly Jane, page 347 is just what you need!" This is a whole lot more fun than it sounds, actually.

And you can always place the book on your coffee table where it will (a) take up very little physical space and (b) end up enticing everyone who sits down in your living room into developing a shoe fetish.

Seriously, this is a well-researched, beautifully photographed, elegantly written gem of a book. If you happen to like shoes, you really owe it to yourself to obtain a copy of it.

Enchanting!
This book is worth the purchase just for the forward! It features wonderful comments and quotes like, "When it comes to shoes, practicality and comfort are beside the point." And, "...You look down at your feet and wink at yourself." But the photos are stunning and the information delightful! Terrific fun for the footwear fancier. ... Read more

Book Description

What is love? What does it look like? Visionaire, the highly respected--and highly-sought after--fashion and art publication, featuring the work of some of the world's most prominent artists and image makers, offers Visionaire 38 Love in collaboration with Tiffany & Co. For this issue Visionaire returns to its roots with a hand-crafted volume depicting romantic love, love for life, love for all things beautiful, love for work, love for family, love for friends, what we do for love, and what we do with love. Images and tokens of love, including a special inclusion designed by Elsa Peretti, will be inserted into authentic vintage hard-cover novels, making each copy of this 4,000-run limited edition a unique work.

Do you love me because I am beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me? --Cinderella
Love is the only gold. --Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Who, being loved, is poor? --Oscar Wilde
I like not only to be loved, but to be told that I am loved. --George Elliot
If you have it [love], you don't need to have anything else. If you don't have it, it doesn't matter much what else you have. --Sir James M. Barrie
All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. --Leo Tolstoy
LOVE: The irresistable desire to be irresistibly desired. --Mark Twain
What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork. --Pearl Bailey
Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell. --Joan Crawford
Gravitation can not be held responsible for people falling in love. --Albert Einstein

Casebound in Tiffany blue box with white satin ribbon. Specially designed sterling silver pendant/bookmark by Elsa Peretti. Variable dimensions for each vintage hardcover novel. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What is LOVE?
Well, love is many things to many different people and in this issue Visionaire asks "what is LOVE" to the various contributors.

The concept itself is fairly original which I like. Every issue is a real vintage book (obscure romance novels, all having something to do with love) with the work tipped in various pages throughout. Mine seems to be a novel from the 70's about a love triangle set in some college town. The book itself comes in a felt bag with a pendant/bookmark designed by Elsa Peretti that should be worth the price alone. Then the whole thing is in a Tiffany blue box.

I would have given this issue 5 stars, but there are some production problems that I find too troubling to justify the cost. For one thing, I find that a lot of the pictures are falling out of my issue, the glue that was used (or maybe it's a chemical reaction to the old pages that they didn't foresee) to stick the pictures into the book isn't holding. I'm just ending up with the loose pictures with yellow marks (the glue) loose in the book instead of them being stuck onto the pages of the book.

Another problem has to do with the box the book comes in. It's falling apart, again, perhaps due to the glue that was used. It's hard to describe without a picture of the inside, but there's another box half glued to the inside to create a clamshell effect, but it's gotten loose to reveal that the glue holding it together is no better than that rubber cement type of adhesive that holds samples in magazines. Once it came off, you can't stick it back on.

All in all, buy this issue if you are an avid collector, but be wary of the possiblility of something this expensive falling apart on you... which may not be a bad thing if you want to read the novel underneath the art. Perhaps they meant for it to fall apart, is it a comment on how love can be fleeting? Who knows! ; )

Finally a new issue!
They've kept us waiting for a very long time but now they're back with a new issue! Number 38: Love is the book of the season! Every fan of Visionaire should really buy this issue. Don't be suprised if this issue sells out very quickly. The book comes in a great blue Tiffany box and is really suprising! When you open the box there's a tiffany blue sleeperbag with inside a very old book. Around the outside is a silk string with a silver heart attached to it. This very exclusive heart is designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. and can be worn as a necklace. When you open the book music starts playing. And then the journey begins. The journey to find out what Love really is........ ... Read more

Book Description

One of the top hairstylists working in fashion today, Serge Normant performs his magic on the most beautiful actresses and models of our time. A tour de force of feminine fantasy, Serge Normant Metamorphosis is a dazzling summation of contemporary style, fashion, and glamour-as envisioned by this gifted artist and captured in images by the world's leading fashion photographers.

In transforming the looks of such well-known women as Kate Moss, Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Aniston, Liv Tyler, and Susan Sarandon, Normant draws on each woman's individual essence and then uses hairstyling, makeup, and clothing to turn her everyday appearance into something extraordinary. Whether it is a retro look made into a contemporary statement or a vision taken from the art world rather than the fashion pages, Normant's creations are not makeovers but rather journeys into a realm of enchantment. With a foreword by Julia Roberts and an introduction by Isabella Rossellini, this book will serve as an inspiration for all women seeking to enhance their beauty through the embellishments of fashion. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A boring read...
These "tips" seem outdated and unrealistic. I would have loved to have seem some examples of what to do and what NOT to do, as far as posing, make-up, and meeting agents. It seems like it was written very fast, and sloppy.

Good Book!!
I beleive this book was the best book I have ever read on modeling. It was detailed, honest, and it gives you a step by step guide to starting your modeling career. If your interested in modeling and dont know where to start, get this book. I took Roshumba's advice and I am now with Ford modeling agency!

The Book and the Model are Fabulous!
I have over twenty years experience in the modeling business and worked with many models in my career. Roshumba Williams is not only one of the sweetest people you will ever meet she is also a wonderful role model for young women. She has always gone out of her way to help young people and give great advice to those interested in modeling. I think her book is articulate and insightful. I would definitely recommend "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Being a Model" to anyone thinking about a career in modeling. It's a great investment and could save thousands of dollars that most schools and agents might charge to those that have no knowledge of how to get started.

Good Beginners Guide
This book is excellent if you want to know more about the modeling industry, but I have probably learnt more from experience and from other models, than the book. If you don't have any connections, this book would be a very nice resource to have. It does give good advice. I like how everything is explained pretty well, but I do not think it takes a book for you to realize whether someone is trying to take your money. I think it is pretty simple to just go to a legitimate agency for their open calls, and if it leads somewhere, they should teach you everything you should know about the modeling industry anyway. This publication is a better modeling book than the other ones I have read before. I would suggest this book over other modeling books because the information is worth the price of the book, and it is told by a real sucessful model.

This model wannabe is an idiot no more thanks to Roshumba!
My review of the Complete Idiot's Guide to Being a Model has to be prefaced. I, like everyone else, have always been fascinated with the world of modeling. When I was a kid, I told my mom that I wanted to take modeling lessons so that I could "stop slouching" and carry myslf better (things that she usually admonished me about). In reality, I just wanted to learn how to strut down the catwalk like Christie Brinkly and Nikki Taylor. As I started to learn more about the moves, I got curious about what it would really be like to be a model. Unfortunately, I never found out, but I always wondered. Then, I saw Roshumba's book at Barnes and Nobles. My childhood curiousity overcame me and I purchased the book on the spur of the moment. It was one of the smartest impulses I've given into in a long time. Rosumba wrote the book in such a way that I truly understand what I would have been in for if I'd pursued modeling. It's a straightforward book interlaced with lots of humor and some great illustrations! I now know what to do and what not to do; who to be wary of and who to trust; how to find the creme de la creme of support and how to avoid the scum, and more! I will probably never become a model (unless, of course, a 5'3" model becomes the in look), but Roshumba's book makes me feel that if the opportunity ever arises, I'll be ready. ... Read more

Book Description

The once useful formula of pinstripe suits, dress shirts, power ties, and leather wingtips no longer works. Chic Simple Work Clothes shows men and women how to dress in today's new world of work to commmand respect and ensure a professional bearing, and explains why the radically different new work style has developed. Full-color photos & illustations. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fashion Advice for Beginners
This is the sort of book one gives to new grads, people re-entering the workforce, people starting a new job in a different company/region/field/etc. Lots of visuals, which is always a good thing in fashion advice books. Some of the printed info could have been better arranged. (The creators need to sit down with all three of Edward Tufte's books.) The type face of some pages was waaaaaay too small!

Another thing. This isn't really a book for women. The section containing advice for women is just thirty pages out of a total of 174. (hmm.)

Still, I'm glad I bought it a few years back. It has lots of good, basic info on clothing construction, fabric, color, classic style, etc., none of which has dated at all.

(Actually, I think I need to re-read it.)

not much content for the size
The first thing you notice is the avant-garde wannabe type setting which distracts from the message. Then you notice there is a ton of "fluff" in the book. Quotes from books written in the 1940s that are supposed to convey what fashion was like back then and stuff like that; I didn't buy this book to find out about the history work fashion through this century.

The book does have some useful information when it starts talking about fitting clothes and finding quality. However, Josh Karlen's "The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing" does a superior and more comprehensive job in this department.

The best part of this book is when it starts talking specifics about ensembles. Unfortunately the captions that go along with the pictures often lack details that are necessary for a clueless shopper. If I had a clue I probably wouldn't be looking in this book. What kinds of slacks are those? What color are they? What fabric are they made of? I know that I need to find my own what suits my own style and tastes but give me something to at least start with!

The downside is that this kind of information -- displays of men's clothing ensembles -- can be found in magazines like GQ for a fraction of the cost of this book. If you want to learn more about some of the "theory" of fashion look to another book. If you want more "concrete" examples then leaf through this book at the bookstore...and get a subscription to GQ.

a visual treat, with a focus on quality clothes
This book boasts the catchy, elegant chic simple layout, with fully accessorized outfits laid out against a white background. The focus is on classic (and expensive), quality clothing (cashmere twin sets, Chanel flats, $300 Hermes scarves)-- but you could copy the ideas using less expensive basics. The idea is to pare down your wardrobe to the essentials, accessorizing the essentials to look polished & perfectly put together. The text is interesting, filled with quotes from movie stars and other famous people, with witty comments about the clothes, what one leans in business school, etc. However, you'll probably be drawn to the photographs and captions the first time through. Only about a third of the book is devoted to female attire, so if you're a woman, looking for advice about women's wardrobe concerns, you might be better served looking elsewhere.

Inspiring Outfits
I really like how the Chic Simple books have no models. Looking at super trim men and women could have taken away from the real purpose in these books. While I can't exactly duplicate each outfit at Walmart, I can use these pictures as guides. Each outfit may not be your "style," but you can pick and choose which clothing and colors will make you look your best, and go from there. One day I'll be brave enough to carry the Chic Simple books around with me when I'm shopping!

A good book, it could have been better
This was an okay book, I really felt the information could have been presented in a better way.

Someone felt "cute" layout and font changes on every page would make a good presentation style for this book, I found that it made information difficult to track and the overall style was confusing. Once I was able to decipher the information, it was very good, and very helpful!

One additional warning - the majority of the book was dedicated to male attire. Women had their own section, but, it was a chapter (with assorted extra nuggets of information elsewhere), not a full half of the book. ... Read more

Book Description

A fashion and commercial photographer since 1968, and also a filmmaker, Sarah Moon is known for her dreamlike images and her representation of femininity as free from time and context, as living in a fairy world. Although Moon has been a major participant in the world of fashion for more than three decades, she has carefully carved out her own niche -- a signature style that dispenses with the erotically suggestive poses favored by many of her male counterparts in favor of the emblems of luxury and nostalgia. Mystery and sensuality are at the core of Moon's work, whether she's photographing haute couture, still life, or portraiture. In this book, Moon's first major retrospective, viewers will be treated to a visual tour-de-force, showing all the genres she has explored in her rich and diverse career. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Comments...
Hmmm... "too much technique"... very interesting, this reminds me of the reaction of the art world to the inclusion of photography as an art form back about 40 years ago.. "not enough technique"... But, now we have an artist, using photo graphic images she has taken, and manipulating them in the most incredible and extraordinary ways. These go way beyond photography, yet have the sense of caught moments in early photo history using silver plate technique.
Regrets? Yes, the cover, though handsome, seems cheap and too fragile to include with the excellent quality of the photo reproductions inside; and I would like to have more information on her "techniques." I feel that Sarah is probably afraid to discuss it since she will likely be snubbed by the photographic world, especially if she does anything outside of a dark room with conventional tools, very sad.

Too much technique
I wanted to like this book and I probably would have liked it more if it had been about 1/3 as long. The technique weighs down the images and I could only take small doses. Not that it's a bad technique, it's just too redundant for my taste when presented in this quantity.

Exquisite Narrative Photography
Sarah Moon creates enchanting visual poetry in an exquisitely produced book.

Excellent images, POOR QUALITY cover!
The previous reviews cover the quality of the images in this book. I cannot say it any better. So, I'll touch on one little pet peeve I have.

I'm puzzled that Arena Editions would release this book with such an inferior cover. The compressed, uncoated cardboard cover just invites disaster! Not only is it prone to staining, it is also VERY susceptible to moisture and denting... much more than the average hardcover

I know, I know... "you should be careful when handling books... blah blah blah" That doesn't do away with the fact that this book demands to be handled! The images are too good to let this simply be a "coffee table" book. This is a sure fire page turner that must be protected in some way.

Before purchasing this book, I STRONGLY suggest you also purchase some soft cotton gloves and a book cover of some sort; and most of all, don't out it on the coffee table!!!

With unusual and absorbing drawings
This weighty and uncluttered coverage of artist Sara Moon's unusual and absorbing drawings are each centered on a white page providing excellent contrast and a uniform approach to both her black and white and color works. These take the form of juxtaposed sections of color and old-fashioned daguerreotype-type images, all the more striking for their organization and presentation. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A great place to start
This thick reference book will look great on your coffee table... I've referenced it more times than I can count- if you are interested in historical costuming, this is a must have for a jumping point to do more research. It shows an overview of history through fashion, though I must admit the reading didn't draw me in, despite several attempts to drudge through it. More than anything, this book is full of copies of primary and secondary sources- both photographs of museum artifacts and details of paintings and sculptures. It has some nice information on Egyptian and Roman fashion in the beginning, but other than that its primary focus is on Anglo-Saxon oriented fashion. It must be stressed that this book is not an end all and be all when it comes to the word on fashion- though it provides a useful and generalized overview, and it may happen to have what you are looking for, it does completely ignore some very important years/fashions (example: Tudor, late 1400-mid 1500s! ). Caveat emptor, more for art fans and theatre costumers than die hard history buffs, but overall a good buy.

Ideal book for costume designers...
This book is full of excellent 1st degree research. I have used it on multiple occassions to set me on the right track for doing intensive research on a variety of periods. It does lack a bit in non-Western costume, but the periods it does cover are done very well. Its a great reference book to have around.

Excellent overview, beatiful illustrations
I recommend this book primarily for those wanting a good overview of a very long period of time and for the beautiful pictures, many of which are in colour. However, especially for the periods before 1500, there often are simply not enough illustrations to accurately portray the changes in fashion during these years, and the text tends to focus on French fashion almost exclusively. I've also discovered errors in descriptions of styles by as much as a century and a half--best to ignore the text and make your own analysis based on the illustrations themselves, which are all contemporary sources, not modern interpretations or redrawing. A very good resource book for any costume library.

A "must" for anyone interested in the history of clothing.
20,000 Years of Fashion is one of the best general overviews of the history of clothing. It is full of many beautiful color prints that are lovely to look at, and they are all considered "primary resource". Primary resources are paintings, drawings, statuary, or any art from that specific period. It is considered to be the most reliable and accurate depictions of what was worn (and even these are subject to interpretation). This is in contrast to this same artwork redrawn today. A good example of this are the really beautiful books of medieval costuming done during the Victorian era, such as those by Rascinet. The illustrations are redrawn from medieval paintings. They are beautiful color illustrations - but totally inaccurate. You can see the Victorian influence and mindset in their drawings. 20,000 Years of Fashion brings a general overview of clothing history and how it was influenced by its environment. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in reading about clothing history or anyone just looking for a lovely book of pretty pictures. ... Read more

Book Description

By today's standards, men wore formal dress every day in the 1890s. The color lithographs and line drawings of men dressed for work that are shown here bear striking contrast to men in the streets now. That very fact makes these clothes more than interesting today, they are actually time capsules for the lifestyle of a century ago. Heavy woolen cloth that has lasted a hundred years, and practical styles that were always comfortable and smart-looking bear witness to the time before automobiles and electricity. Now they have become antiques themselves.The hundreds of cloth swatches that appear have subtle patterns and plenty of texture to withstand much use. Vintage clothing collectors and designers will marvel at their variety. ... Read more

Book Description

The Bolide. The Plume. The Birkin-object of lust in Sex in the City. Celebrating the must-have accessory for the fashion conscious woman, HANDBAGS is an obsessive, irresistible visual extravaganza, featuring over 900 full-color photographs of the most luxurious, witty, covetable, talismanic examples of the bagmaker's art and history.

The iconic Hermès Kelly bag, made from first stitch to last by a single craftsperson. Judith Leiber's whimsical minaudières, Moschino's smiley-face bag, Elsa Schiaparelli's surrealist "bird cage," and the ne plus ultra of fashionable purses-the Chanel bag, reinvented for a new generation by Karl Lagerfeld. There are novelty bags, evening bags, sculptural bags, and class acts. Practical leather pochettes to carry a life, and elegant little reticules for nothing more than a credit card and a lipstick. Profiles of famous bagmakers: Jamin Puech, Kate Spade, Carlos Falchi, and the poet of utility, Bonnie Cashin, with her visionary "Cashin Carry" bags for Coach. Plus the anonymous Florentine artisans whose specialist leather workshops sprouted up in the 14th century.

A labor of love written by Anna Johnson, author of Three Black Skirts, HANDBAGS features over 900 bags from collections, museums, and designers around the world, most of them photographed in seductive full-color exclusively for the book. The perfectly matched complement to Shoes, HANDBAGS is about fashion, about desire, about secrecy, craftsmanship, art, and imagination as well as about the changing roles of women-everything that's packed into every important bag. Includes timelines, fascinating captions, and the "It" bags-anyone for a Fendi baguette? ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A Must-Have for Anyone who Loves Fashion
This little book is a must-have for anyone who loves fashion. The full-color photographs depict the history of the accessory many of us can't live without-- the handbag. You'll get to see purses dating as far back as the 16th century, as well as those made by famous designers like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Plus, each page also contains interesting details about the styles, designers, and purposes of the handbag throughout time. You'll be surprised at how many beautiful, interesting, and unusual purses fit into such a little book, and wish they were all in your closet! This book also makes a great gift, as its price is relatively low. You should order this book right away-- a great addition to your coffee table!

You May Never Look At A Handbag The Same Way Again..
This little book is loaded with beautiful pics of purses of all kinds. From the functional to the whimiscal(and there are some really off-the-wall ones included),you'll find it in here besides plenty of interesting facts about different bags and designers as well. I wish it had more "timelines", but, other than that,if you really appreciate the art of handbags(or know someone that does),this tome should be very appreciated..

A gem of a book!
If you really like bags, this is your book. Lots of lovely photographs and very well written text. A must-have for any handbag lover.

Handbags: The Power of the Purse
What a delightful little book. Don't buy another purse until you have a look through this little gem. Beautiful photographs.
Well written and a joy to behold for all who love purses.

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH...
I love purses and this little book is fantastic! The pictures are colorful and gorgeous! It's like a little wish book for grown-ups! ... Read more

Book Description

Dressed in nothing but Jimmy Choo spikes and a single piece of Cartier jewelry, a constellation of beautiful, successful and empowering women bare all in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation. ... Read more

Book Description

"Meticulously detailed as well as gorgeous....The color photographs-which cover page after page and capture these intricate designs in close-up-are the main source of delight."-Time Out (London)

Now available in paperback, this lavishly illustrated book celebrates the Victoria and Albert Museum's magnificent collection of dress from around the world. A source of inspiration to many of today's top designers, these colorful items of clothing, seen here in glorious close-up, will delight all lovers of fashion. The detailed line drawings are of special interest to professionals in any aspect of the fashion field. AUTHOR BIO: Rosemary Crill is a curator in the department of Asian art at the V&A. Jennifer Wearden is a curator in the department of furniture, textiles, and dress at the V&A. Verity Wilson is a curator in the department of Asian art at the V&A. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Exquisite!
Sumptuous full-color, full-page photos of historic clothing details, supplemented by intriguing line drawings of the entire garments and succinct commentary. This book can serve as a source of inspiration for anyone seeking elegance, beauty, vitality, and imagination in design. Interestingly organized into sections such as Necklines; Fastenings; Linings and Pockets, though regardless of the section, it is a feast for the eye. ... Read more

Book Description

Dazed and Confused is one of the UK's most respected style magazines and was formed in 1994 as a group voice for London's exploding creative scene.The book is the essential collection of some of the most original and ground breaking imagery that has been created in the 90s, along with a vision of fashion and art photography of the future.It has grown into the defining insiders' publication with a circulation of 60,000 and a worldwide readership. Covering music, fashion, art, film, photography and, writing. Contributors include Nick Knight, Chapman brothers, Paul McCarthy, Gillian Wearing, Rankin, Phil Poynter, Mat Collishaw, Sam Taylor Wood, Marc Quinn, Jack Webb and Nick Waplington. Designed by David James."Dazed & Confused is a flashy train-wreck of fashion, art, movies, music, pictures, words, bodies and brains."- Barbara Kruger7 x 10" Approximately 200 color and b/w images ... Read more

Reviews (3)

awesomely weird
As a photographer, i rarely see photos that are unique and funny and poignant. many artists in this book meet all the above criteria.
Really good stuff

gorgeous book
I read the D&C magazine regularly and still found the Annual a fab addition to my bookshelves- if you like cutting-edge photography and gorgeous books, you'll absolutely love this!

excellent if you dont collect d&c
excellently produced book although if you have the mags you have most of the stuff in it ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The best place to start for Elizabethan Costuming
This is one of the best books ever written on the subject of Elizabethan Costuming. It mainly contains all of the details of Queen Elizabeth I wardrobe but it has unique points in the society that surrounded the dresses. This book helps to explain the Gloriana image that became so popular and it helps us to understand all the little details that went into the dress of the period. Detailing costumes using portraits and explaining how the fashion progressed makes this book a must for anyone interested in Renaissance Faires and the nobility. The only drawback is that very very few of the portraits and pictures are in color. I think a total of about 7 are in color the rest is in black and white. The only way to make this book more appealing and usable would be to put all of the portraits and pictures in color, but that would make the book even more expensive. After this must have book the 2nd on the shelf should be a J. Hunniset book (the lady who did all the costuming for Elizabeth R and The Six Wives of Henry the VIII produced by BBC). Next, any Janet Arnold book. Last, would be the Norris book: Tudor Costuming and Fashion (although most of this book is very outdated it is nice to look at). All of these are must haves and will make a well rounded library. Dispite the high price of the book it is worth posessing. Enjoy.

Such An Amazing Resource!
For the historical costumer focused on 16th century clothing, this is the "bible" hands down. Big, expensive, and filled with the usual detail that is the hallmark of Janet Arnold, this is one very worthwhile investment for the serious costumer. This book has one tiny drawback, in that it focuses entirely on women's fashion in the 16th century as viewed through the wardrobe accounts of Queen Elizabeth I and some of her contemporaries. Therefore, it has nothing to say on the topic of men's clothing, which is an unfortunately neglected aspect of 16th century research.

Much of Janet Arnold's most important contributions to the costuming community are addressed in this book, making it extremely valuable. She presents each section with satisfying detail, raising very few questions that remain unanswered. The photographs accompanying the text are also invaluable, as many of them are not available in other books or to the general public for viewing. If only there were more color images...

If you can afford the book, you won't regret buying it.

Really great book but....there are a few issues
For years I heard how this was _the_ book to buy if you were into Elizabethan costuming and wanted authentic items that could be documented. The book is good for that, and I enjoyed the style that Ms.Arnold wrote it in.

But I have two major gripes with the book-both regarding the quality of graphics and images in it.

First off-in the whole book there are only about 5 pages in color. The rest of it-including hundreds of portraits, examples of extant clothing pieces and pieces of embroidery were all in black and white. I complain about that because, with so many of the portraits quoted as examples it would help if they could be seen clearly. (Many of them are too dark to have reproduced well, and a few are quite horrible.) And the photographs....

If they could reprint this book and possibly include more color plates it would be a much much more valuable resource. As it stands now, it is a good source, but not all that I could have hoped for. Instead I have begun a search for color reproductions of the portraits cited in the book. A long tedious job but one that I think over all will make it a much more solid resource for my needs.

The Best source for the Wardrobe of Elizabeth 1st
This book is amazing. Huge, and packed full of information. An essential refernce work if you are seriously considering doing anything with elizabethan fashion. The author has poured years of scholarship into this work and it shows. It's not really a coffee table picture book. Instead it is full of carefully culled facts for the serious student or anybody curious about 'real' English Tudor costume.

Elizabeth's Wardrobe
This is an excellent reference book. I would consider this a must-have for anyone who is thoroughly interested in how Elizabeth crafted her own image using clothes and jewelry. There are some interesting facts, such as Leicester giving Elizabeth a red petticoat, that are neat to know. This is an expensive book, but worth having if you want to know as much as you can about Elizabeth. The book also discusses other famous women and what they wore. If you can find this book....get it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A GREAT SURPRISE
The book is essentially the companion to one of the most fascinating shows that I ever stumbled upon. Last November in London, I went to the Design Museum[founded by Terrence Conran] to view an exhibit of aluminum[aluminium].

Coincidentally, there was this Vogue show. Having paid my admission to the museum, I viewed this exhibit as well. Now, I don't pretend to know much about fashion nor photography. And this show blew me away. And so does this book, but not as well as the show, of course.

An assemblage of insights into the culture and history of the twentieth century that I would never have encountered on my own. Not only does the story reveal how conde nast's money financed some of the more significant technical innovations in photography[which intrigued me since I try to follow the history of science and technology], but I was also fascinated to discover how it was that Vogue may have had the most energetic and brave war correspondent/photographer of WW2: and it was a beautiful and talented woman - Lee Miller. Do take the time to find out all you can about her.

And lastly, the photos are knock-outs. I wouldn't have done this show or this book deliberately, but having stumbled into the show, I have to pronounce it one of the most educational exhibitions that I have encountered. ... Read more

Book Description

There are moments in history where events converge to create something rare and special. Jacqueline Kennedy's selection of Oleg Cassini to design her personal wardrobe as First Lady was one of those moments, not only in fashion history, but political history as well. As creator of the "Jackie look," Cassini made the First Lady one of the best-dressed women in the world and a glamourous icon of the Kennedy era.

During the thousand days of the Kennedy administration, Cassini designed over 300 outfits for Jackie Kennedy--coats, dresses, evening gowns, suits, and day wear. He coordinated every aspect of her wardrobe, from shoes and hats to gloves and handbags.

For the first time, Oleg Cassini offers a fascinating and comprehensive view of his role as Jackie's personal couturier. His international background allowed him to fit comfortably into the Kennedy poltical dynasty, and offered him unprecedented access to both Jackie and John Kennedy as a designer and a trusted friend. From the details of his long-standing friendship with the Kennedy family to his first meetings with the First lady to his thoughts on Jackie's clothes and their legacy, Cassini's recollections are far-ranging and informative.

Cassini's original sketches are accompanied by 200 color and black-and-white photographs of the First Lady as she tours India, France, England, and Italy, shows off the White House, and hosts state dinners and family gatherings. Public moments as well as private ones capture the great elegance and charm of one of the most admired and emulated women in the world.
... Read more

Reviews (12)

A Combination that Works
This lovely volume combines Cassini's memoirs of working closely with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis during her brief White House years, his fashion philosophies and ideas, and the iconography of the early 1960s style and vigor of the Kennedy years. Each piece plays the right part in the book as a whole, illustrating what must have been an enchanted time for Cassini. If one is interested in fashion and its technical aspects, the book's sketches and interesting details (letters from Jackie about to whom Cassini should send swatches for hat and glove construction for each dress), his memories of Jackie along with excerpts of her letters (photographic and in text, reproduced verbatim) along with the requisite, but lovely photographs of Jackie is his creations. It brings couture to the United States in a grand way and makes this French sensibilitiy part of our own Americana.

With all of the Jackie Kennedy products on the market, it was lovely to read such a heartfelt memoir from the man who helped to position her in our nation's consciousness as a precious and dear woman.

Top Jackie Fashion Book !
As far as I am concerned this is THE top book about Jackie's Fashions and I have either read, bought, or extensively reviewed all of them. This big coffee table book written by Oleg Cassini contains more information, better pictures and sketches than any other book about Jackie's fashions. In fact,I would say in some ways it is almost a biography of Jackie albeit a heavily illustrated one. Do not let the new influx of books about Jackie's fashions deter you from buying this book. The new books that came out around the time of the exhibit of her fashions at the Met are all ok . And Hamish Bowles book about the exhibit was the best of the three released during this timeframe. However none of these books match the lushness of Cassini's book!

An Exquisite Book Capturing an Exquisite Woman
I bought this book in 1995 when it first came out, it has held up beautifully, and is one of my all time favorite books about Jackie.

A large, coffee table book that is filled with exquisite photos from Jackie's wedding day to President Kennedy through her time as First Lady, and her later years.

Jackie has always been one of my favorite role models, and Oleg Cassini did one fantastic job in showing the sketches of clothing illustrations, as well as when and where Jackie wore them. He gives wonderful and detailed paragraphs of information that are respectful of Jackie. The book also has clear copies of the many letters of gratitude Jackie has written, as well as the many activities she was involved in.

It is a true and dignified portrait of Jackie's greatest 1,000 days, and is a timeless treasure, showing the class, dignity, heart, and soul of a woman who will forever remain eternal.
HIGHLY Recommended for the beautiful and dignified manner with which it is presented.

gorgeous book depicting the first among First Ladies
This book shows Jackie Kennedy during her truncated run as First Lady in designs by Oleg Cassini. Each entry has a photo of Jackie Kennedy at a historical event during JFK's presidency, with details of the outfit she is wearing as well as a short blurb on the time and significance of the event.

Chic, but pictures were rather tiny
I bought this book before all the Jackie style books came out. This is a good book, and what Oleg says of Jackie is insightful--but the pictures were secondary to the words! (And the cost!) There would be a drawing taking up the whole page, with this little picture of Jackie. Plus, it doesn't have all the clothes she wore--and--- They are not all his clothes!...This book, however, is a nice companion book to the Jay Mulveney book, or even the Hamish Bowles if you chose to buy that....If you want to know about Jackie's style, buy this or the IN THE KENNEDY STYLE by Latetia Baldridge, or especially the Jay Mulveney book. ... Read more