Book Description

Guatemala’s woven textiles are admired for their bivrant color combinations and boldness of design. This book reflects such richness and provides designers at all levels with inspiration for new and unexpected ways of using color and pattern in their own work. Over 20 textiles are explored in a series of photographs to reveal a wealth of motifs from fruit and flowers to birds and beasts, as well as abstract and geometric designs and, more unusually, the two combined to startling effect.

In her enlightening text Ann Hecht, herself a weaver, provides the background information to bring the pieces to life and clearly explains the full range of principle techniques employed. In addition, brief commentaries highlight the desing features and a technical glossary supports the main text so you cna rely on the book for eye-catching patterns as well as refer to it for specific information. ... Read more

Book Description

Gilles Bensimon, Elle publication director and head photographer for the magazine, has put together his first-ever photo retrospective.From one of the most accomplished and well-known celebrity and fashion photographers to date, No particular order is an intimate look at Bensimon's stunning photography of famous beauties and celebrities taken throughout his remarkable 30-year career.

Iconic models and stars fill No particular order's 200 pages through exclusive images from the photographer's impressive portfolio.This truly comprehensive collection honors the women Bensimon has made a career of celebrating, revealing in the process his original and unique photographic style based on movement, sensuality, and vitality.

This legendary photographer has been an active witness to the fashion trends of the last several decades, and No particular order reveals the very best of Bensimon's magnificent oeuvre in photos of the beautiful women he helped transform into stars: Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer and Christy Turlington, to name just a few. No particular order also features many stunning celebrities captured on film, such as Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sharon Stone and Uma Thurman. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Who else but Gilles can produce such images
Approximately 200 hundred beautiful photos ranging from those seen on the cover of Elle to beautifully lit black and white photos. Each shot is full page in this larger than usual book.

This book really showcases his range as a photographer. Everything from super sharp portraits to moody, slightly soft images.

Any fan of fashion and portrait work needs to add this to their library.

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER ICON
I have followed the careers of many of the best fashion photographers in the world. Those who routinely shoot the most beautiful women in the world. Many have a signature style which is easily recognizable at a glance. Bensimon makes his women look natural, sexy and always beautiful. I am very happy to see this remarkable photographer come out with a book.. Buy it. Bensimon kicks ass. ... Read more

Book Description

Now available from Abrams, this popular book offers a rare, close-up look at the exquisite, labor-intensive details seen in fine historical clothing. Perfect decorative seams, minute stitching, knife-sharp pleats, and voluptuous drapery--all are here, alongside more unusual techniques such as stamping, pinking, and slashing. Most of these effects cannot be replicated by machine, yet many of today's fashion designers take their inspiration from the past, adapting these details to a more contemporary idiom, and to the realities of modern manufacturing.

Drawing from the Victoria and Albert Museum's world-famous collections, the book contains a gallery of exquisite photographs, accompanied by clear line drawings showing the construction of the complete garment and a text that sets each in the context of its time. This book will appeal to anyone interested in fashion, historical costume, or textile history, from cut and construct to fabric and trimmings. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautiful and worth every penny
I have a copy of the book. I love the photos with every page close up detail.

Biggest and only complaint I have is that the book has images of garments clumped in each chapter, like "Stitching, Seams, Quilting and Cording", Buttons, Trimmings, "Applied Decoration", etc. What bothers me is that you don't get the overall image of a garment, but a lot of close up fragments of a garment. It would have been nice to see an overall image as well.

The book also provides a basic sketch of each garment, even if the original garment is missing a section.

This is not my time period for historical garments as a costumer, but the details just get me drooling every time I look at the book. Close ups of the embroideries are just to die for. All in wonderful full color large images the size of the book itself. The left page has the description, and the right page has the full image, and it is larger than 8.5" x 11". I don't have my ruler handy or I would measure it right now.

Anyway, I think it was worth the full price I paid when it first came out in hb. I love it. ... Read more

Book Description

The sculpture of Michelangelo, Rodin, and Brancusi, serve as the inspiration for Guido Argentini’s masterly photographs of the female nude. Published together for the first time in this breathtaking collection taken over a period of seventeen years, Argentini’s astute focus on the female form achieves the transformation of bodies into objects of art. We are presented with two distinct series of spectacular photos. The first is shot in locations around the world in a way that fuses the body with the landscape while in the second, dancers and gymnasts are photographed in contorted positions in the studio. Covered with a veil of oil or a coat of metallic paint and exquisitely lit, the bodies leap off the page with an astounding three dimensionality. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Silvereye Gets GOLD
With the differing styles in the book from the Silver coating shots through to the future olympians, all are a pleasure to the eye. His use of tones is marvellous and the print quality of the book does all the images total justice

As essential as the air you breathe
Every true lover of photography, art, women, the human form, dance, nature, aesthetics, and rapture must buy this book. It is worth every penny and more. It is, I believe, the most captivating and provocative expression of the above philosophical essentials that I have every seen. Good work, Guido.

A UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL BOOK
A publisher of unique and exquisite special interest books teNeues is recognized by cognoscenti throughout the world for quality and innovation. Now, teNeues presents an astonishingly beautiful collection of photographs by Guido Argentini.

The Florentine born Argentini studied medicine at the University of Florence for several years before turning his eye and heart to photography. Adept at shooting models in the studio or in natural landscapes, Argentini has photographed for Vogue, Marie Claire, Playboy, and Max.

With unerring eye his focus is on the female form which, with his camera, becomes a work of art. Silvereye holds a double visual pleasure - the first series of photos was shot at various locations around the world, while the second reveals dancers and gymnasts photographed in a studio.

By covering the female bodies with a thin coating of oil or metallic paint then lighting them to perfection the forms become estimable works of art, both erotic and arresting.

Those with an appreciation of beauty will be delighted with Argentini's work.

- Gail Cooke

A provocative and avante-garde coffee-table book
Silvereye is a provocative and avante-garde coffee-table book displaying the photographic talent and artistic inspiration of Guido Argentini, an Italian photographer who uniquely captures the unclothed female form. 104 black-and-white duotone photographs present nude female beauty, activity, flexibility, and more in an eye-catching collection of images that reflect and embody the enduring principles of photography as art. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Ellen - My favorite photographer.
Ellen Von Unwerth is by far my favorite photographer! I haven't the foggiest idea of how a picture is taken, but I can appreciate a good photograph when I see one. The person who said, "a picture is worth a thousand words" must have thought up all one thousand of them in that instant, thus spontaneous inspiration! Ellen is SPONTANEOUS! I fell as though she takes pictures to make you wonder, marvel and enjoy the world around you, taking you away with a simple click!

Ellen is also unpredictable, as you turn the pages to this book you will see why! Although there is no denying her style, she manages to portray a variety of situations, there is no monotony or constant theme and her subjects are unpredictable in a wide variety of settings, these photographs are proof of her widespread intellect. I was actually expecting to see pictures of couples in a conventional way, but Unwerth managed to convince me that there are other types of pairs!

It is a witty, playful, and yes even inspiring book! Not to be taken too seriously, but to be enjoyed and digested like one would fine ice cream!

I could not leave out the always intelligent and wonderful introduction by Ingrid Sischy... That woman is a GENIUS!!

Something left of centre
Fantastic... well worth the dosh. While it seems a few narrow-minded sorts will muse over grain, focus and the apparent 'cheapness' of her camera, Ellen injects life, soul, sexiness and humour into her images. The fun, intimate feel is only increased further by her supposedly rough focus and grain. For those who can appreciate a photo that isn't of a clean-skinned model against a plain black or white backdrop, Von Unwerth is an artist without equal.

Poor Quality Snapshots
From this book, it seems that Ellen Von Unwerth has found a way to avoid the necessity to be creative or to develop technical skills. Perhaps it was thought that enough people could be fooled into thinking that since they are different they must be examples of sheer creative genius. The only problem is that she is not the only photographer who appears to be taking this shortcut to "masterpieces." A quick study of this book, and you too can learn how to take snapshots and play them off as sheer genius. ... Hmmm Let's see, how bout the random idea of a supermodel standing nude, except she's wearing army boots, and holding a half eaten corn cob in one hand and a light bulb in the other, all photographed with a disposable camera in the absolute worst possible lighting situation. No that's not in the book, but that's the type of image you'll find in it. Oh, and by the way, don't buy this book if you just want to see such naked super models, because there are better books with naked supermodels in them.

exquisite photography, graphic and raw
Snaphshotty, but with a twist. These images are difficult to create, but Ellen von Unwerth makes it seem easy.These images are simple, graphic, and raw. Contrasty, grainy, out-of-focus and incredible. This is some of the best photography out there, fashion or otherwise. Buy this book to add to your collection of great photography. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

"My weimaraners are perfect fashion models. Their elegant slinky forms are covered in gray-and gray, everyone knows, goes with anything."

-William Wegman William Wegman's fanciful photographs and videos of his dogs-seen in galleries and books and on Sesame Street, t-shirts, screensavers, and more-have made him one of America's best-loved artists.Published to accompany a major traveling exhibition, this book presents Wegman's most intriguing and provocative portfolio to date: a series of eerily anthropomorphic (and very funny) high-fashion photographs. Modeling clothes by some of today's most exciting designers, including Jean-Paul Gaultier, Helmut Lang, Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Todd Oldham, and Anna Sui, canine supermodels Battina, Chundo, Chooky, and Chip display all the attitude and insouciance of their human counterparts-and gently play on our obsession with beauty, style, luxury, and celebrity.84 illustrations, 79 in full color, 1 foldout, 10 x 12"WILLIAM WEGMAN'S many books for children and adults, which together have sold more than 500,000 copies, include Abrams' perennial favorite Man's Best Friend and its companion calendar as well as the New York Times bestseller William Wegman Puppies, and, most recently, Fay, a biography of his star model. INGRID SISCHY is the editor of Interview magazine. Her essays have appeared in many books, including, most recently, Robert Mapplethorpe: Pictures and Ellen von Unwerth: Couples.EXHIBITION SCHEDULE Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabam Oct. 18, 1999-Jan. 8, 2000 The McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Dallas Apr. 29-June 18, 2000 Miami Art Museum, Florida July 21-Oct. 8, 2000 Contemporary Art Museum, University of South Florida, Tampa Jan. 12-Mar. 3, 2001 ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fun, Fashion, and Photography: Putting on the Dog!
You can love this book for any one of three reasons:

1. You enjoy dogs (especially weimaraners) and enjoy seeing them unusually well posed to look like attractive humans.

2. The connection between haute couture model and the fashion fascinates you, and you are open to seeing how line, tilt of head, and connected ratios form pleasing images.

3. You love photography and want to better understand how much of the "art" is in the scene itself, versus how much comes from the photographer.

Naturally, if you like all three elements, you have a much more than five star book in your hands.

You have to see these photographs to believe how good they are, unless you already happen to know Mr. Wegman's work. Take a look at the cover to get a hint.

Basically, Mr. Wegman takes his weimaraners (Chundo, Batina, Crooky, and Chip) and treats them like human fashion models. He dresses them in stylish hats, wigs, dresses, suits, shoes, mannequin parts, and other accessories to create "human" poses. Think of this as being a little bit like what Cindy Sherman does in posing as a well-known actress in her own photographs of famous movie scenes.

The approach is mostly done in a slightly campish way, emphasizing bright and bold background colors which contrast and make a context for different bright accessory and fashion colors. The natural color of the weimaraneers is the "coolest" part of the visual image.

What was brilliant to me was "seeing" what draws my eye in a photographic composition. Normally, I think I'm looking at a model, but based on my reactions to these photographs I'm really drawn much more to a curve, a line, a tilt of the head, or an incline of the body in the model. Seeing the weimaraners anthromorphized in this way allowed me to understand the appeal of the photographs at a much more fundamental level. I thought that Mr. Wegman's works with hats and fur coats were especially successful from this perspective.

The brief essays in the book are also valuable for describing how similar it is to work with either human models or the weimaraners. That relieves a certain tension in your mind as you imagine this work being unpleasant to the dogs. But, reportedly they love it and get nice breaks during the day.

Here are my favorite images in the book:

Three hat photographs: Migratory, Calla Lily, and Ben Day -- all from 1999

Two fur coats: Polar Extreme and Blue Powder -- both from 1994

Evolution of a Bottle (Series of 5) from 1999

Bikini 1999

Glamour Puss 1999

Opening 1999

Melissa 1994

To extend your learning after you finish enjoying this book, I suggest that you try something similar with scarves, hats, and wigs with say chunks of wood, large crystals, or flowers. Whether you photograph the scenes or not, you will learn a lot in composing what is appealing to you.

See beauty and classic style all around you . . . always!

Wonderful photographic blend of comedy with fashion insights
William Wegman, famous for incorporating clothed dogs in his photos, here presents a fashion statement to accompany a major traveling exhibition: anthromorphic fashion photos modeling some of the best designers' creations - with canines. The result blends comedy with fashion insights.

Gotta love this guy's work!
This book presents Wegman's most intriguing and provocative portfolio to date -- a series of eerily antrhopomorphic (and very funny), high-fashion photographs.

Runway Models-- Look Out For Some Heavy Competition!
Precious, precious darlings! I originally bought this book for my nine year old Godchild who loves to "play" fashion model with her dog. The minute I opened this book the weimaraner models stole my heart and I knew I had to get a copy to keep on my cocktail table. Everyone, who, like me,loves haute couture and adores those fabulous creatures who are best friends to us all will not be able to put this book down. Everyone who sees this book at first smiles ear to ear--then simply goes wild with laughter. They all want their own copy. The models look so very elegant and poised in trend-setting fashions. This is classic fashion photography with warm precious amber eyed beauties looking back at you. It is dog photography at its best. ... Read more

Book Description

Two enormously popular subjects-dazzling jewelry by Tiffany's designers and fabulous fashion photography-combine in the newest book by Tiffany design director John Loring, author of many resplendent volumes about American style seen from the vantage point of the preeminent purveyor of fine jewelry and other luxury goods.

Fashion experts credit Coco Chanel and her "little black dress" of 1924 with bringing fashion into modern times. But it took great fashion photography by notables from Steichen to Hiro, and jewelry as the ultimate fashion accessory, to propel fashion on its way to becoming the star-studded industry it is today. Tiffany in Fashion is a veritable visual feast-with 250 glamorous images tracing the simultaneous growth of fashion photography and fine jewelry, from Richard Avedon's society fashion portrait for Harper's Bazaar of Elizabeth Taylor's bare back bedecked in exquisite Tiffany cultured pearls, to Scavullo's photograph of Paloma Picasso wearing her amply scaled gold earrings and bracelet, polygonal amethyst ring, and chrysophase bracelet. Eleanor Lambert, the "godmother of American fashion," and dean of American fashion designers James Galanos add their personal reminiscences to John Loring's engaging and informative text. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautiful
Anyone who enjoys Tiffany & Co. jewelery and fashion will absolutely love this book. It is simply amazing. Looking at the fashion ads throughout the years is great. This book is a great addition to any fashion book collection and it makes a great coffee table book ... Read more

Book Description

Guy Bourdin (1928-1991) created the most challenging fashion photography of the late 20th century. Over a 35-year career, including more than three decades creating confrontational images for French Vogue and groundbreaking campaigns for Charles Jourdan footwear, he staged complex dramas, with every gesture and prop carrying a potent psychological charge. He showed us that in the context of fashion it is rarely the product that compels us; it is the image--the seductive narratives of the commercial world, and the quest for the unattainable--that stirs our desires. Today, Bourdin stands as one of the most influential image-makers of all time.

Bourdin cultivated his anonymity, refusing all proposals for books and exhibitions during his lifetime. This volume, published to coincide with the first major exhibition of his photographs, showcases not only his fashion images but also his brooding landscapes and magical cityscapes. The photographs are accompanied by five specially commissioned essays, which together offer the first thorough analysis of Bourdin's unique creativity. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Not exactly what I thought.
I like the book... But I found it somewhat dull. Although the model is very beautiful and the content is playful, I was left wanting more. Ellen Von Unwerth is my favorite photographer nonetheless, but her versatility with themes was nowhere to be found in this book... I recommmedn you buy it only if you are a fan of Ellens' and if you like the model. It is very well done. I kept my copy.

71 outa' 100
most of the pictures are kinda' blurry... If the photos were sharp, I would like it more. But, the photos itself are pretty playful and sultry, especially for the people who have an interest in hosiery.

Simply Picturesque
First I must confess that my review may be slightly bias, as Ellen Von Unwerth has become my most admired and respected photgrapher. She has an incredible talent that is well presented in "Wicked". Although her colour photos (as have been seen in "Couples") may better exemplify her ability to use lighting to its greatest advantage, the black and white photos in "Wicked" show her ability to capture the models natural looks. It is rare for any photographer to be able to relax the models as well as Ellen Von Unwerth has done so well here. Although when I purchased the book, I paid almost double the amount that Amazon is retailing it for, I have absolutely no regrets, and I strongly urge any portrait enthusists to at least give "wicked" a look. It is without a doubt the best photography book I own. Its a great book to sit back with at night, and have a few glasses of good red wine.

Von Unwerth is not the best
If you want modern photography look up Jeff Wall, he is a true modern artist in this medium. He does not work for fashion magazines and does not spend all his time in New York hopped up on cocain running around taking fuzzy pictures of half naked women. This book was not the best, but I have a few friends who really like it. I don't. Her photographs are exactly like you picture them to be. They are a fanciful look into the glam world without any breath of reality. They are not art and she is not an artist.

suprising
As a photographer I can think of few artists who truly inspire an emotional response and posses an eye for the asthetic and dynamic which inspires my own interpretations. Of those few, Ellen von Unwerth and Howard Schatz are two that come quickly to mind. von Unwerth seems to continually find novel expressions of a similar theme, most always limiting herself to black and white images. In my mind, the "masters", such as Newton are, to my eye, uninspiring, producing images easily replicated that constitute in no way a creative vision of a subject. While she is not the be all and end all of photography she is the place to start in regards to modern editorial photography. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

i loved it
great book. excellent pictures of all types of lingerie. a must for any lingerie or fetish designers.

A Lingerie Lover's Must Buy
If you like sexy lingerie, this book is a must-have.

1000 Dessous, interesting, but risque
This is an interesting book with lots of full color and contemporary depictions of historical lingerie, but tends to rely too heavily on the pornographic aspects of women's underwear, and includes many photos which are purely historical pornography and bear no connection to lingerie. Maybe I'm just a prudish American, but I expected more history, and maybe a little text.

A must have for lingerie lovers
This softcover book has very little text and lots of fantastic photographs which tell the history or timeline of women's lingerie.

Full of B&W and color photographs, illustrations, designs, ads, and glamour shots. A great gift for lingerie lovers.

Also see: 1000 Nudes; The Male Nude; 1000 Tattoos

historia de la lenceria (ropa intima femenina)
necesito un libro que trate de la historia de la lenceria (ropa intima femenina) tanto del bloomer como del brassiere, body, entre otros. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

focused and outrageous
this book is focusing on the unusual beauty of feet and i recommend this jilted cult everyone

87 outa' 100.
I liked this book....some great pictures, but had more good pictures....I felt that it could be better but I am not sorry that I bought it!

The Ultimate Coffee Table Book for the Leg or Foot Lover
This book contains many different pictures throughout the ages of the shape of the woman leg in every possible situation. In stockings, bare leg, with platform shoes, or flats, you will find a picture for your foot or leg fancy. ... Read more

Book Description

Glaswegian photographer David Rankin was the typical English enfant terrible. While at art school In London, he refused to let his teachers assess his work and at his first solo exhibition, he caused a minor scandal when he prominently displayed a photograph of his erect penis. His ascent in the world of fashion photography began after he founded the London-based independent magazine Dazed and Confused. Rankin's cover portraits of celebrities from the cutting edge of fashion, photography, music, film, art, and culture are astonishingly intimate. The photographs in this collection manage to combine an in your face sexuality with an almost surreal humor - a distinctive style that never fails to shock. Rankin has self-published several books and is currently photographing international advertising campaigns. ... Read more

Book Description

From the momentous invention of the needle some 40,000 years ago to the development of blue denim; from Neolithic weavers to the biggest names in the fashion industry today—this classic guide covers the landmarks of costume history, the forms and materials used through the ages, as well as the underlying motives of fashion and the ways in which clothes have been used to protect, to express identity, and to attract or to influence others. The concluding chapter by Amy de la Haye, covering the second half of the twentieth century, has now been updated by Andrew Tucker. He discusses the reinvention in the 1990s of the luxury label Gucci, the rise of houses such as Prada and Tommy Hilfiger, and the appointments of relatively avant-garde British, American, and European designers to head classic French houses. All the late-twentieth-century and turn-of-the-century style innovations are included, such as the appropriation of utility clothing by designers like Helmut Lang—who spearheaded the predominantly unisex urban sportswear look—and the impact of workplace dressing down on masculine fashion. The phenomenon of the must-have accessory—the pashmina shawl and the Fendi baguette, for example—is also considered. 345 illustrations, 80 in color. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A basic intro to fashion and costumes
This book is aptly titled. It gives just a little bit about everything from ancient Egyptian styles to fashion in the 1990s. Those of you looking for photos and descriptions with great attention to detail should look elsewhere, but those of you looking for just an overview of fashion, this would be a good introduction.

The author discusses the rise and fall of fashion trends through the ages, and how society, industry, and particular people influenced them. The text in this book seems as informative, as it is concise. However, other reviewers seem to think that the author's information about pre-20th century costumes is inconsistent with other sources, but the post-20th century information is consistent with what I have learned from other sources.

Therefore, I recommend this book with some hesitation. If you want a good overview of fashion history, especially a pictoral history, I would recommend this book. On the other hand, if you are looking to learn more about a particular era, especially ancient costumes, I would recommend choosing a book specifically written about that era.

Great introductory read.
An easy read. Covers from 2900 B.C. to the 1990's with a particular emphasis on the 1800's. James Laver's writing style is wonderful, describing not only the clothing but the historical and social context for each style of dress. The fashions of each period are illustrated by a variety of historical evidence, including statutes, famous works of art, fashion drawings, diaries, cartoons and photographs. The book is not an in-depth study of each period but rather a very brief overview. The last chapter covering from 1940 to the 1990's was writen by Amy de la Haye and is markedly different in writing style. She does not discuss the social and historical context to the extent that Laver does but rather gives an overview of the major designers of each decade and their respective styles. As there is a lot to discuss in the last 50 years of fashion, I wish that this book had dedicated more than 31 pages to modern fashion.

An excellent place to start
This classic by James Laver is a very good introduction to the subject. This is not an exhaustive history of clothing that one should consult for lengthy descriptions, or pinpoint accuracy tied to the latest scholarship. But what this book is (and is wonderfully) is an overview of a very vast subject distilled into one portable volume. The illustrations are excellent and worth the price of the book in themselves. Great amounts of detail are lacking, but the student of costume history can look elsewhere for in depth information in the works of Boucher, Davenport, Ribeiro, and others. This book can provide the basic knowledge one needs to approach the more advanced publications.

There are discrepencies of terminology in comparison to other texts. This is especially true in his descriptions of Byzantine court costume; Laver uses some Greek terms as opposed to the Latin terms used by most other historians. Laver also has an ethnocentric bias and gives much information from an English point of view. As with Contini's "Fashion: A Social History" and Batterberry's "Fashion: The Mirror of History" (both sadly out of print), Laver's prose and scholarship are a little dated, and he predates political correctness. But the history of clothing is heavily tied to religion and superstitions, public morals and sexuality, gender and social hierarchy. To tell a politcally correct history of clothing is to apply a bias as skewed as the biases it would seek to rectify.

This is a highly readable and succinct account of its subject and is strongly recommended. Given that the wonderful Contini and Batterberry books are not available, Laver's very accesible text is an excellent introduction for the beginning costume historian.

Fab Pictures....
This is a nice *SMALL* (which is important when you are carrying it back and forth to class) book that is FULL of pictures. Don't by this book if you are looking for detailed explanations of the costumes...go to Boucher if you are looking for that... But if you want a good colour pictoral quick reference, this is the one to buy.

I love it and use it all the time. It is cracked open to the picture of Rubens and Isabella Brant!

An overview of Western to Northern European dress
This book is filled with pictures. The problems I've found with it are (1) it does not seem consistant in its terms with other historical costume history books so it is difficult to compare with other sources. (2) The writer tends to make sweeping statements that are true only for England, such as saying that hose weren't knitted until the 16th century because knitting didn't reach England until than. (3) Other statements are very frustrating since the author will state that so and so was dressed in a Persian or Arabic style and then does not describe that style at all. On the good side the pictures are helpful and some of the statements agree with other souces. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The care and feeding of the cowboy hat.
This coffee-table type book contains a detailed history of the cowboy hat, specific information about how to choose a hat, measure properly for fit, clean it, store it, travel with it, and much more. Even discusses "hat hair!" Numerous historical photos show the development of the cowboy hat across the west and around the world. Exceptional photos of famous hats (who doesn't recognize Festus' Gunsmoke hat or Hoss Cartwright's 10-gallon monster on sight?) and great hat-wearers such as James Garner, the Duke, Henry Fonda and Clint Eastwood. A must for Western lovers, cowboy buffs, and everyday folks who own their own Stetson and want to know how to keep it nice! ... Read more

Book Description

Celebrated internationally for his dramatic, sexualised, high-impact fashion and portrait photography, British image maker Sean Ellis gives a more panoramic view of his life and work in 365.Shooting on every day of the last year of the millennium, Ellis filled in the gaps between the big production shots he's known for, using his camera for behind-the-scenes perspectives and more informal studies of the models and stars around him, even cataloguing the antics of his dog Kubrick. With an intinerary that takes in Paris, New York, Thailand and New Orleans, and a stellar array of cultural icons including Alexander McQueen, Takeshi Kitano, Bryan Ferry, Elton John, Kate Moss, Milla Jovovich, Stella McCartney and Tim Burton, 365 flicker-books the life of a fast-track image maker and shows his high-powered work while allowing unstaged reality to leak into the portfolio.Shown through a softening filter, 365 is a seductive, revealing visual narrative, elegantly presented by Face and Big designers Lee Swillingham and Stuart Spalding, and complimented by an appreciative foreword from couture provocateur John Galliano. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A very interesting fashion "fly on the wall" book
An interesting concept of a photo taken every day for a year by one of the UK's leading fashion photographers. Fashion images sit side by side with personal "snaps" that create a very interesting "fashion fly on the wall" book. A must for any serious followers of fashion and the images that shape it. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

For the Love of Rudi
I was given this book by my best friend, who thought I would like it. Love it is more like it, this man who I was dying for information on was a genius, artistic, innovative... Truly for those who are fashion mavericks and trend-setters. This book finally brings Rudi to light, by a dear friend of his and is written from an insiders point of view. It also tells the story of an artist trying to create in the commercial world. The topless bathing suit, trompe d'oeil in fashion, ohh and those clever sunglass that are round on one side and square on the other... Not to mention is introduction of PVC and knee socks back in the 60's - all Rudi's. Incredible photography (Peggy Moffat's husband rounded out their collaborative trio as the photographer). This book will inspire as you revel at how Rudi, a master of form and shape, comfort and style, with his deft imagination and sense of style just created movements in fashion that flow through to what you see on the street to the haute couture. He has been underground for so long yet is long overdue for this showing as he has a had a PROFOUND influence on fashion and everyone who sees the book cannot put it down. For a little over $20 it is a steal too. This is a book to cherish and hang out with when you need some inspiration. He is much why the 60's was considered modernist. Incredibly glamourous celeb pics such as the one of Barbara Streisand appear in all her glory as well as pieces on adrongny (wayy ahead of his time) and the rejoicement of one within their own body. Rudi was far far ahead of us all and I believe will become better known as time passes. This is a bittersweet book about Rudi and his muse, Peggy and her husband. Three people with immense imagination that together made it in this world without compromising. Makes a great gift, everyone I have given it to just adores it. Forget all about the vintage designers, he was a driving force in the 60's. He took those terrible frumpy looks and threw them out and looked at women as strong, beautiful creatures as they are and gave them a right to look gorgeous. This book is not about beauty in a conventional sense, it really really sets you free. Afterall, he boldly rejected the mainstream concept of women's old big skirted fashion and started all new styles, ones with his unique perception making stunning and hip fashion accessible to all. Rudi really was a fashion heavy - this remarkable book should not be missed.

Rudi Rules!
Peggy Moffitt, with her raccoon eyes and pigeon toed stance, and Rudi Gernreich, one of fashion's most unknown innovators of the 60s, are lovingly profiled in this book by Moffitt, Gernreich's friend, model and muse. The photographs are by William Claxton, Moffitt's husband, who is well known for his jazz photos, in particular those of Chet Baker. From the topless bathing suit to the thong bikini; from the unisex look to men's styled underwear for women, Moffitt covers all of the fashion innovations of Gernreich that we now take for granted today. In full color and black and white photos, this book spans the creative, exciting and futuristic career of a fashion genius who was ahead of his time and has left an indelible mark on the world.

A great slice of fashion history!
Until I read this book, I had no idea how many important contributions Rudi Gernreich made to fashion. He was a maverick in his day. His designs were so advanced, even for the wild-child sixties, that they still seem fresh. In fact, I recognized many current trends in these photos. This is largely a "picture book" with vintage publicity and advertising photos by William Claxton, as taken throughout the sixties. They're mostly modeled by Peggy Moffitt (she was also an innovator in her field, with amazing eye makeup). This book opens with an overview of Gernreich's career, and a really comprehensive essay about his most famous designs (like the topless bathing suit). It's a wonderful read, both entertaining and informative.

VERY SELF SERVING.see the title. It's NOT about Peggy
1000 words are too much about Peggy. 1000 nmore words about Rudi..yessss. Peggy always comes first, riding on Rudi's coat-tails. Sorry. ... Read more

Book Description

Compelling pictorial archive of 264 vintage photographs, selected from rare tintypes and other authentic materials (1850s-1910), depict little girls in their mothers' hats and clothes, sisters wearing identical plaid dresses and button boots, a young man in an everyday suit and bowler hat, a boy dressed in Little Lord Fauntleroy style, and scores of other representative portraits. Captions.
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Reviews (2)

Surrealistic, 'Avant-garde' from a master photographer
Born in an African village in Kenyan, Max Vadukul has chosen to photograph the antithesis of the harsh life of Africa and has focused in on sex, fashion and celebrities. Though it is baffling why such a gifted photographer has chosen stars, scoundrels, sensationalism and sex as his portfolio's focus, he is nonetheless a brilliant craftsman. Vadukul is now a New York fixture in the world of high fashion and glamor. His name was made capturing the 'Avant-garde' along with the 'unexpected' in a provocative way.

"MAX", is a massively oversized publication (18" x 14") and when opened, engulfs most coffee tables with iconic faces that have defined our cultural world. Larger than life figures such as, Donald Trump, Salman Rushdie, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Clint Eastwood,, Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and many more fill the pages. This books 200 black-and-white photographs pulsate between the surreal worlds of Hollywood, New York, Paris and New Orleans at Mardi Gras.

Regardless of my desire to see Vadukul use his accomplished skill to photograph Africa and show our cloistered society the daily life struggle of the other impoverished 3 billion people that share this planet with us; one can only recognize the gift that is evidenced through these photos . His photos are often energetic, raw, and abstractly captivating. Besides the crisp headshots, many of his photos capture this neon world with an impressionistic style that Van Gogh might have rendered had he a camera instead of a brush: or Dalai and his surrealism had he a SLR. Very engaging nonetheless. Recommended 4.5 Stars

Max Vadukul
Fashion photography in recent years has simply been reduced to erotica with the exception of a few. Max Vadukul is one of these exceptions. He offers a refreshing lift from this erotic new age and gives you simply briliant, simple, and well thought out photographs. His style is not pressured, he simply gives visualy pleasing photographs. I am an avid collector of photographs and somewhere along the line I discovered his book. Immedeatly I was takin' back by these huge stunning images and I bought the book. After that I took it immedeatly to G. Ray Hawkins. G.Ray is a very reputable and famouse art dealer. He too was taken back by these images. G. Ray is now representing him and is going to do a gallery for Max in a few months. This to me is proof that Max Vadukul is going to effect the art world greatly in future years. The book is huge and has wonderful picture resolution. ... Read more