Books & Film

Visionaries Tom Ford

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Tom Ford has become renowned for his eponymous label, luxurious 70′s inspired aesthetic and notable work at fashion houses such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.

He also lent his glamorous touch to ‘A Single Man’ (starring Colin Firth), which saw him make his directorial debut in 2010.

On June 24th, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) will premiere an hour long documentary on the fashion designer.

The film is part of the network’s Visionaries: Inside the Creative Minds of U.S documentary series.

Of the in-depth documentary, Ford is said to reveal personal struggles with his career, depression and mid-life crisis.

It is set to premiere on OWN at 10pm EST on June 24th 2011.

More on Visionaires: Tom Ford at Huffington Post.

Image by Solve Sundsbo via Finch’s Quarterly Review

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Yohji Yamamoto This is My Dream By Theo Stanley

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

This is My Dream as directed by Theo Stanley gives glimpse into world of intensely private and renowned designer, Yohji Yamamoto.

The documentary was shot over a period which spans from the designer at the completion phase of his collection in Tokyo to the New York showing of his Y-3 spring summer 2010 collection.

The short piece which delves into the creative process, musing and Y-3 Adidas collaboration also examines Yamamoto’s fascination with all things dark.

More on the film by Theo Stanley here.

Trailer video: Yohji Yamamoto This is My Dream by Theo Stanley via Huge Conglomerate on Vimeo

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Bill Cunningham New York

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

Few people have had as much impact on the way we wore our clothes like Bill Cunningham. Before the term ‘street style’ was coined and the phenomenon that is the ‘street style photographer’ prevalent, Cunningham was documenting trends (both in high society and on the street) as and when they happened.

The beloved New York Times photographer has seen and captured it all in his columns “On the Street” and “Evening Hours.”

From what I have seen of the trailer, ‘Bill Cunningham New York’ comes across as a poignant, inspiring and thought provoking documentary by Richard Press. A portrait of Cunningham’s career spanning fifty years and vision.

It has commentary and appearances from New York’s inner fashion circle; Anna Wintour, Iris Apfel, Brooke Astor, David Rockefeller etc.

His work for me is so much more than the designs he captured, but rather the document of our times and the way it influenced how we dressed.

More on the film here.

Video: Bill Cunningham New York trailer by Richard Press via YouTube

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On The Coffee Table // Mulberry The Book Edited By Mulberry Brand Director Georgia Fendley

Monday, May 16th, 2011


Photo Credit: Book Cover of Mulberry edited by Mulberry Brand Director Georgia Fendley. Published by Mulberry Company Limited, £55/$90. Cover image by Richard Foster.

‘Mulberry’ the book is a ‘fly on the wall’ heart felt celebration of English luxury fashion brand, Mulberry. Created to mark the 40th anniversary of the brand, this heavy 480 page tome takes you into the very heart of the fashion and leather goods house.

Edited by Mulberry Brand Director Georgia Fendley, it starts with an anecdote filled introduction (written in consultation with Roger Saul) about the creation of the quintessentially English brand, as founded by Roger Saul in 1971.

Through revealing documentary style photographs by Venetia Dearden (captured over the course of two years, it also includes photography by Alice Whitby and Carlo Draisci) the reader is given an in depth glimpse into all things Mulberry. This book is a candid access to the world of Mulberry (behind the scenes at fashion week shows, parties, campaign shoots, models, collaborations, hard working team, the Mulberry factory based in Someset and boutiques) no holds barred.

The book has intimate shots of Mulberry Creative Director Emma Hill and beautiful natural photographs of the brand’s regular creative contributors; Tim Walker, Pat McGrath, Sam McKnight and Edward Enninful.

Taking nearly three years to be created, ‘Mulberry’ the book is a loving and honest insider look at a brand that has admirably stayed quintessentially English for forty years.

Mulberry edited by Mulberry Brand Director Georgia Fendley retails for £55/$90 is available at select Mulberry boutiques, national bookstores and international sellers.

More on Mulberry here.

More in the On the coffee table series here.

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On The Coffee Table // StyleLikeU by Elisa Goodkind And Lily Mandelbaum

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

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

More in the On the coffee table series here.

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On The Coffee Table // My Favourite Dress By Gity Monsef, Samantha Erin Safer & Robert de Niet

Friday, March 25th, 2011

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

More in the On the coffee table series here.

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On The Coffee Table // Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style By Kate Betts

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

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

More in the On the coffee table series here.

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On The Coffee Table // Amelia’s Compendium Of Fashion Illustration: Featuring The Very Best in Ethical Fashion Design Edited By Amelia Gregory

Friday, January 28th, 2011

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

More in the On the coffee table series here.

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On The Coffee Table // Harper’s Bazaar Fashion: Your Guide to Personal Style

Monday, December 27th, 2010


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.

More in the On the coffee table series here.

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On The Coffee Table // Matthew Williamson By Colin McDowell

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Matthew Williamson eponymously named fashion house, has become synonymous with vibrant colour, texture, embroidery, embroidery and bohemian jet set inspiration.

Matthew Williamson by fashion historian and critic, Colin McDowell gives the reader rare insight into Williamson’s personal and work world.

In her foreword, actress Sienna Miller is quoted as saying – “When I step into one of Matthew’s dresses, I feel like I am stepping into his world, which is colourful, ethereal and dreamlike. His clothes are more than garments. They are magical mood enhancing creations and that is an absolute testament to the man designing them.”

The book sees McDowell trace the span of Williamson’s work career and delve into his personal life (starting with his birth in Manchester in 1971). McDowell explores Matthew Willamson’s time at Central St Martin’s, his placement with Zandra Rhodes and how this later influences his signature aesthetic.

This vibrant volume, examines Matthew Williamson’s contributions to the fashion industry, dating as far back as his 1998 ‘Electric Angels’ collection. It collates the historical timeline of the Matthew Williamson brand through catwalk images, design sketches, archive collection moodboards, celebrity fashion shoots, work and personal images of Matthew Williamson and his long term business parter, Joseph Velosa.

In addition, the likes of Anna Wintour, Diane Von Furstenberg, Sir Paul Smith, Joan Burstein, Plum Sykes, Alexandra Shulman, Zandra Rhodes etc lend their thoughts via visual and text contributions.

This book loudly reiterates Matthew Williamson’s talent. His stance on creating bright coloured, kaleidescopic prints and richly embellished designs, irrespective of financial climate and trends gives women joy.

Matthew Williamson by Colin McDowell is published by Rizzoli International Publications, £37.50 ($65.00) and is available from all good bookshops and online at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

More information on the book here.

More in the On the coffee table series here.

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