Photo Credit: Book Cover of StyleLikeU by Elisa Goodkind And Lily Mandelbaum. Published by Powerhouse Books, $29.95.

Mother-daughter team Elisa Goodkind (seasoned fashion stylist and former Fashion Editor at Glamour and Self magazines) and Lily Mandelbaum (undergraduate filmmaking and anthropology major at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study) were on a good thing when they created StyleLikeU

Taking its viewer into the very bones of the style of those profiled, theirs has always been an innate personal style experience.

The site that celebrates the intrinsic and often over looked style of carefully scouted people. Goodkind and Mandelbaum have had an uncanny way of profiling the style and homes of those who march to their own beat through intimate interviews, video and photo shoots.

It was only a matter time till these personal style musings championed and examined by the site was available as a book. Published by Power House, now you can take the images and the makings of those profiled; their closets and homes into your home.

StyleLikeU by Elisa Goodkind and Lily Mandebaum. Published by Power House, £29.95/$49.50 and stocked online at Amazon

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Photo Credit: Book Cover of My Favorite Dress by Gity Monsef, Samantha Erin Safer & Robert de Niet. Published by ACC Editions, £29.95/$49.50.

With foreword by Suzy Menkes of the International Herald Tribune, ‘My Favorite Dress’ is in every way, the celebration of the dress.

Written by Gity Monsef, Samantha Erin Safer & Robert de Niet explores the symbolism and influence a dress can have.

In the exquisitely bound book, contributions have been sourced from 75 fashion designers, arbiters of style, accessory designers, photographers, models, stylists etc.

Some of the many contributors include, Manolo Blahnik, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, Jasper Conran, Cindy Crawford, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana, John Galliano, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Betty Jackson, Calvin Klein, Heidi Klum, Christian Lacroix, Alexander McQueen, Kylie Minogue, Issey Miyake, Kate Moss, Mary Quant, Oscar de la Renta, Zandra Rhodes, Clements Ribeiro, Paul Smith, Gwen Stefani, Anna Sui, Valentino and Vivienne Westwood etc.

Each contributor takes the reader into the memories, thought processes and emotional attachment their favorite dress holds for them.

The lavish tome that is ‘My Favorite Dress’ is a befitting celebration of the dress in a compilation of original designer sketches, fabric samples, photographs, text, illustration, patterns etc.

My Favorite Dress by Gity Monsef, Samantha Erin Safer & Robert de Niet. Published by ACC Editions, £29.95/$49.50 and stocked at the all book stores and online at www.accpublishinggroup.com

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Photo Credit: Book Cover of Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style by Kate Betts. Published by Clarkson N Potter Publishers, £24.99/$35.00.

Former journalist and former editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar, Kate Betts is the next to offer a book on the style of Michelle Obama.

In ‘Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style’, Betts examines the style of the American First Lady in relation to politics and how it has transformed the way the women see themselves.

Bound in a luxurious hard cover, this definitive book compiles original designer sketches, two hundred color photographs and historical images.

Both the visuals and cover employ a vivid use of color. The latter features Michelle Obama in a printed neon dress by American designer, Thakoon Panichgul.

The power of ‘Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style’ is its ability to take its reader behind Michelle Obama’s style in relation to the politics of
of our time and American style.

Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style by Kate Betts. Published by Clarkson N Potter Publishers is £24.99/$35.00 and stocked at all good book stores and online at Amazon UK and Amazon US

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Photo Credit: Book Cover of Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration: Featuring the Very Best in Ethical Fashion Design edited by Amelia Gregory published by Amelia’s House, £25.00. Cover illustration by Ute Decker and jewellery by Andrea Peterson.

Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration also known as ACFI is a lovingly complied book featuring the work of 30 emerging wold class illustrators and nearly 50 profiles of ethical designers.

Edited by Amelia Gregory (her background includes being a stylist and photographer for publications such as The Face, iD, Sleaze Nation, Time Out, The Guardian etc) who is well known for creating Amelia’s magazine in 2004, which showcased the best in art, illustration, independent design, music, ethical fashion and craft. After five years of being in print she took magazine online also published her first book, Amelia’s Anthology of Illustration through her publishing house, Amelia’s House.

Gregory who is also a graphic designer, art director, artist, lecturer has been known for her avid support of undiscovered and emerging design and ethical talent. ACFI is Gregory’s second book is one of the first books to support independent and ethical designers. Many of the illustrations in the book were originally created by the illustrations for Amelia’s Magazine online.

Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration: Featuring the Very Best in Ethical Fashion Design edited by Amelia Gregory published by Amelia’s House is £25.00 and stocked at the Tate, Colette, Design Museum, Magma and online at Amazon UK

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Photo Credit: Book Cover of Harper’s Bazaar Fashion: Your Guide to Personal Style by Lisa Armstrong published by Hearst, £12.99 ($16.47)

Since its launch, Harper’s Bazaar has been known for its sophistication. This new tome is a guide aimed at helping its reader examine and define their personal style. It also is aimed at helping its owner pick the right wardrobe pieces to develop their look. This purveyor of style does this by sharing galleries of inspiring photos including relevant celebrity style photographs. It also delves into iconic style moments over the course of history.

Harper’s Bazaar Fashion: Your Guide to Personal Style by Lisa Armstron is published by Hearts, £12.99 ($16.47) and is available from all good bookshops and online at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

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Photo Credit: Book Cover of Kenzo by Antonio Marras published by Rizzoli International Publications, £48.00.

The new Kenzo tome by Antonio Marras is much more than a book, it is an object of art. From the exquisite fabric bound cover (available in three print choices) to origami like pop up pages, it is a stunning visual experience.

Written by KENZO Creative director, Marras and varying contributors. It has starts with a foreword by Francesco Bonami. The book is a celebration of the 40th anniversary of fashion house, KENZO. It takes you on a sensory journey that explores the history of French fashion house, KENZO.

Founded by Kenzo Takada in 1970, KENZO has marred the worlds of the west and east with aplomb. It has been synonymous with breathtaking motifs, cultural divergence and inimitable prints.

In a comprehensive manner that is in keeping with the spirit of KENZO, Kenzo as published by Rizzoli International Publications, delves into the rich history of the House. Divided into sections (each has an introduction) such as ‘Escape’ written by Olivier Saillard, ‘Encounters’ by Bradley Quinn, ‘Poetry’ by Ryoko Sekiguchi it is a beautiful collation of campaign images, KENZO catwalk images, fashion drawings from past collections, KENZO’s love affair with florals and print.

This is followed on by a section called ‘Conversation’ where Antonio Marras and Bartabas (iconic French horse trainer) are interviewed by Catherine Ormen. It also included a ‘Biographies’ section, featuring biographies of Kenzo Takada and Marras respectively.

This ‘objet d’art’ is made even more special if possible, three double-sided double gatefolds, folding out to the equivalent of eight pages. There are also three accordian gatefolds that fold out to five pages. In the centre of the book is a wonderful pop-up page featuring an Eiffel tower surround by a page resplendent in flowers.

Kenzo by Antonio Marras is published by Rizzoli International Publications, £48.00 ($75.00) and is available from all good bookshops and online at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

More information on the book here.

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Photo Credit: Book Cover of Allure by Diana Vreeland published by Chronicle books, £15.99.

Allure by Diana Vreeland published by Chronicle books, £22.95 is must have classic volume.

The late, legendary Editor-in-Chief of Vogue and Fashion Editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Diana Vreeland is renowned for being a taste maker and an iconic arbiter of style. She influenced and inspired the world of magazines, fashion and style for fifty years.

Allure sees Vreeland define her concept of allure and the makings of it. Vreeland penned the book after being urged to do so by her editor, Jackie O.

The book has images by some of the world’s renowned photographers; Irving Penn, Horst P. Horst, Edward Steichen, Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton and etc. Includes the work of paparazzito who helped shape an era of glamour.In the book, Vreeland profiles iconic figures such as Josephine Baker, Greta Garbo, Duchess of Windsor, Getrude Stein, Maria Callas, Marilyn Monroe and more in a mission to illustrate her concept of allure.

In the foreword by Marc Jacobs, he rightly states, “I think no one has ever been like her. There have been many strong characters, but there’s never been another Diana Vreeland.”

This book is for all enthusiasts of fashion, style and editorial fashion magazines.

Allure by Diana Vreeland is published by Chronicle books, £22.95.and available from all good bookshops and online at Chronicle Books

More information on the book here.

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