It's no secret that when it comes to coffee table-worthy fashion tomes, Rizzoli is always top of my list. With a new catalogue out for AW15 there's a glut of new titles vying for a place on my bookshelf - and my Christmas list. Here are my top picks...
Badgley Mischka: American Glamour
Despite being big names on the evening dress scene since the brand's inception in 1988, this title is - somewhat surprisingly - the first to celebrate the duo Mark Badgley and James Mischka. After meeting at Parsons School of Design in New York and embarking on separate apprenticeships at major fashion houses they joined forces and the rest - as they say - is fashion history. Arbiters of old Hollywood glamour, the duo specialise in the streamlined 1940s silhouette while employing exquisite beads crafted in India, following in the great haute-couture tradition of legendary fashion houses such as Christian Dior and Adrian, who continue to inspire them season after season. With page after page of shimmering gowns and sublime beading, it's an indulgent title best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand.
Diana Vreeland: The Modern Woman. The Bazaar Years 1936 - 1962
“I think part of my success as an editor came from never worrying about a fact, a cause, an atmosphere. It was me—projecting to the public. That was my job. I think I always had a perfectly clear view of what was possible for the public. Give ’em what they never knew they wanted.” —Diana Vreeland
Covering the inimitable fashion editor's near three decade tenure at Harper's Bazaar, Diana Vreeland: The Modern Woman features not only each of her covers, year by year, but a selection of editorial features that best illustrate her innovative perspective and creative working relationships with celebrated photographers such as Richard Avedon, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Lillian Bassman, Martin Munkacsi and George Hoyningen-Huene. Through images of over 300 pages and spreads from the magazine and commentary from six leaders in today’s fashion world, Diana Vreeland: The Modern Woman showcases imagery at its best: inspiring, iconic, and timeless.
Swarovski: Celebrating a History of Collaborations in Fashion, Jewelry, Performance, and Design
“Swarovski sparkle is not just a recent phenomenon. It has long been an integral part of the art and craft of nineteenth-and twentieth-century decoration…crystals have the ability to illuminate the body—that’s their attraction and their allure. After 120 years, Swarovski has already gone down in history as the company that adds sparkle to our lives.”– Suzy Menkes
With a 120 year history, Swarovski has become synonymous with the best of the best crystals across the globe. Some of the extraordinary objects documented in the book range from Michael Jackson’s crystallized glove to elaborate pieces for fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Chanel, Prada and Alexander McQueen, who continuously embellish their collections with Swarovski crystals each season. Other highlights include original crystal chandelier lighting commissions for The Metropolitan Opera House in New York, and large-scale installations by top designers and architects Zaha Hadid, Ron Arad and Yves Béhar.
This publication presents Swarovski’s extraordinary contributions to the creative industries, which include the creation of the innovative Aurora Borealis stone and the dazzling Oscars Curtain. The book also presents the Swarovski Collective, a program established under the leadership of Nadja Swarovski to support emerging and established fashion designers, as well as exclusive essays by influential fashion icons, designers and artists. Showcasing never-before-published contemporary and archival photographs, this beautiful volume tells for the first time the illustrious tale of Swarovski's heritage and the brand's cutting-edge presence today.
Manolo Blahnik: Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions
I already own more than one (ok... more than three...) titles featuring the illustrations of footwear maestro Manolo Blahnik, but this is the first comprehensive and lavishly illustrated volume to document the influences and life work of who is undoubtedly one of the most influential and talked-about icons in contemporary fashion. Featuring more than forty years of shoe design, this is the definitive monograph of Blahnik's work and provides access to never-before-seen photography of his designs.
Drawing inspiration from the worlds of architecture, art, film, and literature, Blahnik is a master of the art of the shoe. His exciting use of colour, unprecedented designs, and exquisitely sculpted heels make his shoes some of the most coveted in the world. Featuring more than 250 iconic designs from his archive, the book reveals for the very first time the
inspirations behind his singular artistic vision. With insightful chapters devoted to Blahnik’s most powerful relationships and inspirations—including Marie Antoinette, Diana Vreeland, Cecil Beaton, Spanish and Italian film, the works of Goya and Velázquez and the Prado Museum—this book is a personal look into the man behind the shoes. Beautiful photography and thoughtful essays by fashion writers, curators, and colleagues give readers a unique opportunity to access Blahnik’s vivid and creative-filled world.
Love Laurel x
