Fashion Books

The FYI fashion guide is a unique and useful source for shopping in the big apple. If you find yourself in New York with only a limited time to shop, I suggest you pick up an FYI fashion guide. It not only allows you to be sympathetic to your wallet, but generous to your wardrobe. It's a must buy!

Well finally a resource that takes pity on the non-New Yorker. Tara Lowenberg and Christopher Zalla have organized an extraordinarily valuable guide for shopping in New York City, with decreased frustration, less wasted time, fewer unnecessary cab fares and diminished sore feet. The guide also provides hours of fantasy reading prior to shopping. All of us "Out of Towners" thank you.

As a life-long obsessive New York Shopper, I thought I knew it all until I found this book. Not only was the book loaded with great little boutiques and bargains I didn't know about, but its Label Locator Index allows you to find EVERY label in New York City and lists EVERY store that carries it. Bravo!

Profusely illustrated throughout with the full-color photography of Mellisa Punch, "Gadgetology" is a lively and 'kid friendly' collection of do-it-yourself instructions for recipe, crafts, games, and experimental projects utilizing thirty-five different kitchen implements or 'gadgets' common to any home. Kids can build an edible log cabin with an apple corer, make a strawberry taste like orange juice with a marinade injector, write secret messages in a lemon juice based invisible ink and the use of a citrus squeezer, make a jelly bean nest with a garlic press, and so much more! Fun and informative, "Gadgetology" is a unique and enthusiastically recommended addition to any family or community library children's activities reference collection.

This book is full of fun things to do as a family. What a treat.

This book is so much fun to use, and is gorgeous to look at. Having projects that you can do with your child by just going to the kitchen and using tools and food you already own is such a fabulous idea. So many project books for kids require items you have to go out and get especially for the project --- not very convenient for spur of the moment fun. This book makes it easy to be spontaneous. And you'll have as much fun as your child! My eight year old and three year old both love it.

I highly recommend this book!

This book is an amazing addition to my collection of fotography books. Guy Bourdin is one of my favorite photographers of the last centry. From the layout to the impeccable print technique, I do enjoy the book!

Wooooooowwwwwwww !! Incredible printing, gorgeous images, a time to RE-discover this hudge artist .

This book (or books, since it is 2 volumes together) consists mainly of Bourdin's photos of Nicolle Meyer, taken between 1977 and 1980.

Volume I has 75 color photos, and each one has its own page. Each photo is only about half the size of the page, but having said that, none of them seem too small. They all seem about the right size and fit well with the feel of the book. Almost every photo contains Nicolle in one form or another, which is definitely not a bad thing, because she is a beautiful woman and a great subject.

Volume II has 133 pages. Most of them are photos, but some of them are text. The text tells about Bourdin, Nicolle Meyer, and the process that went into the photographs, among other things. The size of the photos varies more in Volume II than in Volume I. Some photos are the full size of the page, and sometimes there are multiple small images on one page. There aren't quite as many photos of Nicolle in this volume, but she is still the primary model.

I am not very familiar with Bourdin's other books, but in my opinion, this is a must-have for any fan of Bourdin. Both volumes are beautifully packaged and contain a box to keep them together. I can't say for sure, but I would assume that there are a lot of photographs in this album that are difficult to find anywhere else. One of my favorite photography books.

When you can't get out to the mall and actually SHOP for shoes, you can get that same shoe-shopping FIX from Jane Eldershaw's book. It's every bit as cute as those red, kitten-heel, t-straps that you've been dreaming about. (If you don't know what that means, this book is NOT for you!)

After returning from a recent trip to LA, my husband commented on women's obsession with style and I had just purchased a pair of shoes that made me look much taller and thinner. Shoes can make you lose weight, I love it.

Anyway, it was time to read this adorable book about shoes. I don't have as many shoes as I did in college although I tend to remember my life in some autobiographical way through the shoes I was wearing at the time. I remember the boots I wore in Paris and the sexy shoes with sparkly diamonds I wore for a special occasion.

Jane Eldershaw seems to see life in a similar fashion. Heart and Sole is a lighthearted memoir that explores Jane's life through her shoe selections. She gives tips on how to judge a man by his choice of shoes and why there are only two types of women in the world.

Jane Eldershaw is a writer and magazine illustrator who was born in Australia. Her writing style is original, playful and has a love for descriptive words to tease your mind. She has worked for New Woman and Vogue Australia. The book jacket hides a beautiful high-quality ruby covered and exquisitely bound book. Women who love well-made shoes will appreciate the style and quality of this tiny book. The book was also illustrated by Jane and I was especially amused by "toe decolletage." She has drawn pictures of her shoes, everything from her boots to her Italian Interlude when she wore shoes from Rome. She explores life choices after she wore her new cherry-red-spike-heeled ankle-straps with silver buckles.

Jane also reveals interesting facts about Marilyn Monroe, Barbie dolls and how to find a shoe-inn for storage. Where do your shoes live? What is the heel called. I had no idea there was a "kitten" heel, but it is very common.

I could easily become obsessed with shoes again and have been in the past, but lately I'm all about comfort and the shoes that are fancy are sure to only be worn for special occasions. This book reminded me of how fun it is to shop for shoes and I'm of course always on the look for pretty slippers for wearing while writing reviews. I did try on clear plastic shoe the other day and had to feel a bit sorry for Cinderella. Glass could not be overly comfortable although a girl can dream. I've stepped on broken glass and ruined a heel while almost tripping down steps, so that might be a sign.

This delicious book made me fondly remember the Nordstrom of the past where men dressed in suits played Prince Charming and slipped slippers of all colors onto your feet. Where have those days gone? Jane explores the elements of a good shoe salesman and it is nothing like Married with Children. ;) It is a bit more like Sex and the City. My husband might want to read this book because he is a shoe guy. He has been known to give me advice on shoe selections. He hasn't seen what I bought for our anniversary. Hee, hee...

Other unique features:

Tips on How to Care for Shoes
Discarding Your Past Personalities
What a cobbler Can and Can't do!
Feel-Good Fix-Ups for Fatigued Feet

If you read one book on shoes in this lifetime this should be the book. Perfect for keeping in your matching purse for reading just about anywhere.

~The Rebecca Review

This is a very readable (and visual) light treat for both shoe-a-holics and those who can't resist the puns of sole fantasies.

This book is great, I love it!

In fact it contains 9 paper dolls, since King Henry VIII is shown in different ages. All other queens than Catherine Parr have at least one extra gown. There are several armours for the King. Garments are really detailed, clear and well drawn. Some of the details are actually so tiny, that it would be almost impossible to color them.

Since I want to enjoy this lovely book for many coming years, I have taken copies. If you zoom each page 135% and copy it on A3 sheet you will easily have even more magnificient paperdolls and your pencils can reach the exquisite details of gowns and jewels.

I recommend this coloring book highly for every fashion history enthusiast, recreator, renaissance lover or advanced colorist. I guess it will become one of your treasures!

When I saw the paintings of the various Tudors in history books, most of the time the color jobs were so poor you could not see any detail of the clothing. Now, with these wonderful line drawings, you can not only get an idea of what the clothing looked like, but you can color them yourself. Plus, the synopsis of each person's life history sums up the most interesting aspects of that person's life without getting judgemental or too risque for children.

I found the book witty and informative and so many levels. THere are very few instances in which I can extrapolate so much from a coloring expeirience. I would highly recoomend this book to anyone with a masters or higher in the areas of coloring or bookdrawing genres.

I first noticed Christian Brechneff's work in a recent edition of Travel and Leisure magazine. His illustartions of the buildings and landscapes of India's far north were so wonderful that I bought a copy of his book Homage. I have to say that I wish that I had known about the book when it was first published. His watercolors, pin & ink drawings and pastels, which are beautifully reproduced in the book, evoke a sense of space, form and color better than any I've seen in a long time. Each is truly a joy to study. For anyone who has recently returned from a trip to India or the far east this book should bring back many memories of their trip. For anyone contemplating a trip to those regions, this book could serve as a guide to places to see and help to prepare the eye for the colors, shapes and vistas they will encouner on their trip. For everyone else, just enjoying the sense of place these illustrations conjur up should be reward enoungh.

Homage: Encounters with the East
During many years on the faculty of a school of design I have seen numerous books of architectural drawings. HOMAGE: Encounters with The East, is in a class its own. It brings precision and verve to some of the world's most intricate (and difficult to depict) architecture and succeeds in creating an exceptional sense of presence. Mr. Brechneff has a broad talent, equally adept at bringing a delcate filigree to life on one page and the majesty of a surise on the Himalayas on the next. An evocative and altogether charming book, beautifully presented, with an enlightening preface, foreword and introductory notes by the artist. Highly recommended.

This book in unlike any other art book I have ever purchased. Brechneff's intricate drawings are breathtaking and full of life. I traveled through India/Kashmir in 1965, and I must say that Homage transported me back in time! My favorite painting is The Palace of The Winds at Jodphur, it is stunning!The paintings of Burma, Cambodia, and Laos are also incredible; I traveled through those regions in the late 70's. The book is just beautiful. I keep Homage on my coffee table and many of my friends have looked through it and said they loved the book as well. The book also comes with an orange ribbon marker with tiny golden bells, which is a great touch. I highly recommend this book to art-lovers and wanderlusts!

...but then, I'm just a "regular" woman. This book came into my office, free, when I was the editor of a national woman's magazine in 1983. It's written for women who want to look good all the time, have a lot of style (but never clothes that have more to say than we do), and give VERY LITTLE THOUGHT to getting dressed in the morning. Hot Tips is a short book, liberally illustrated. I've been referring to it for 23 years, and now that I see it's FIFTY CENTS ... grab these while you can! Chances are it will never come back in print. The author, Frances Patiky Stein, is the woman (when an editor at Vogue) who discovered Vera Wang. Buy this book -- quickly. Never loan it out.

This, even though published in the 80's (the famously tragic model Gia is on the cover of my edition), is without a doubt the most complete practical fashion & style book I own. The illustrations (couture style line drawings) are easily translated to today. The suggestions for basic clothing, shoe, jewelry, makeup, etc wardrobes for multiple uses (day city, day country, evening, resort, etc) are still universally applicable.
Quite frankly this book could be used as a "bible for dressing" by anyone.

THE BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN ON WARDROBES. TRAVEL WARDROBES, SEASONAL WARDROBES, ANY TYPE OF WARDROBES. EXCELLENT

This is an excellent read, that should be mandatory reading for all girls over 15! Thank you Ms Marsh. Please write a sequel and tell us how the girls make out!

I was a huge fan of the series and was truly excited when I saw the book. Jean Marsh does a wonderful job in telling the story of the Eliott sisters and their career as fashion designers in the 1920's. She is able to capture the essence of the 1920's with all it's glamour and it's poverty and neatly weaves them into a terrific story. For anyone who is a fan of the series, this book is a must have.

I was originally hooked on the A&E Series, "The House of Elliott", and naturally had to read the books. You must read "A House at War" also. I truely wish they would continue the series. This is a fun and uplifting novel that makes you feel like one of the Elliot sisters, Bea and Evie, you feel for their struggles and are thrilled with their successes. Enjoy!

I cannot speak for this book is so amazing! AH! How refreshing! Read it if you want to be moved deeply!

Not one word of a lie- I have spent thousands of dollars on commercial products searching for the answer to my skin problems. Overly oily, acne, etc. On a whim I purchased this book, and will forever be grateful that I did! Within a week I had purchased the necessary items and will never look back! Think about it- what kind of skin do Japanese women usually have? Beautiful, smooth, white complexions!
I can't say enough for this book of recipes. Her other book is wonderful also and is worth the purchase. People with oily skin- don't be afraid of the oil!!! These recipes work!!!

Leigh stumbled upon some unique folk beauty care methods in Japan and set out to research the ancient techniques traditionally used by women to care for their skin and hair. The results of her efforts is a lovely book of recipes for scrubs, rinses and tonics utilizing food as a means of cleansing and moisturizing.

Ingredients include beans, vegetables and teas, most of which can ecomonically be found at grocery stores. With a small bit of devoted effort, these items are prepared to make facial scrubs, shampoo, moisturizers and other cleansing basics. As most ingredients can be found in organic forms, this would be a good book for those with sensitivities to commerical products that are laden with perfumes and dyes. Costs for these homemade preparations are a fraction of what you pay in a store for prepared products!

After just a few days of using the Pearl Barley and Pink Bean Powder face wash, it became apparent how lovely these recipes are. A few friends were induced to also try the scrub and immediately everyone noticed how smooth and supple their freshly washed skin was. Dry skin was softer, oily skin less stimulated, and sensitive faces were clear and fresh without irritation.

This book has easy to follow instructions for skin and body care routines for all skin types. For people who want to move away from commerical and animal-based cleansing products, or just switch to a more natural form of beauty care, this is THE book!

i recommend this book, because it gave me all the information i needed to get started in a modeling career.

The fact that the majority of today's sucessful black models started at black agencies, and there's a listing of them in this book. It was helpful, but if you're already established as a model, it may seem redundant.

I am just starting out as a model and I had so many questions. Is modeling for you? was the perfect find. It gave me insight into the modeling business and helped me to understand the steps that are necessary to succeed. I feel much more conffident now that I have read this book. Every aspiring model should read it.