Deborah Ball did a great job writing The House of Versace: The Untold Truth of Genius, Murder and Survival (The Margins). The story centers around the Versace family – starting with the parents of one of the most famous Italian designers. We learn about the path Gianni had to take to reach the top. And it wasn’t an easy path, and after he became a world-class star, it wasn’t any easier. Conflicts between siblings were especially tiring and destructive for the company. However, the author did not limit herself only to the description of the Versace family. It smuggles in a story from the great fashion world – it reveals who was friends with whom and who was not accepted, it describes mergers of large companies, and it shows fashion shows from behind the scenes. There is also no shortage of designer muses and stories from great events – after and before the shows. This is a unique opportunity to step inside this fascinating, intimidating, and at the same time brutal world.
Great successes and great failures
The Versace story would not be complete without telling the story of Gianni’s murder by Andrew Cunanan, so there is also a chapter about this tragedy. However, it does not dominate the entire book and fortunately the author did not finish describing the history of the fashion house there. This event marked the beginning of great changes and the slow decline of the company. Unfortunately, the book was originally published in 2010, so we do not have the opportunity to learn the latest information about how this fashion house works now, but who knows, maybe one day the author will add a few chapters in the reissue…
This year, Arkady Publishing House brought us closer to the history of subsequent fashion houses in its mini book-albums. Laia Farran Graves, a stylist and fashion journalist, acquaints us with the history of “Prada”. The origins of the brand date back to 1913, but the author puts greater emphasis on its history after 1978, when the company was taken over by the granddaughter of its founder – Miuccia Prada. Due to this, she devoted a lot of space in the album to the “Miu Miu” brand, described as Prada’s younger sister. It is clear that she decided to focus on this period of the brand’s activity because it is the closest to her and she writes about it with great passion that can be felt in every word. Of course, there are plenty of beautiful photos of clothes and accessories, which are described in great detail. The author often referred us to specific pages where there are photos from the collections she writes about, which makes it very easy to get into the story. I really hope this isn’t the last book in the series written by Laia Farran Graves. She charmed me with her writing and her great love for fashion, which she was able to translate perfectly onto paper.
“Hermes” by Karen Homer is the full history of the brand, which began with products intended for equestrians. The author gradually discusses the entire history of the company. She pays a lot of attention to accessories – mainly scarves and handbags, because they are what this luxury brand is mainly known for. There were also some interesting facts…
From the book you will learn, among other things, what the most popular model of their handbag is and why not everyone of you can buy it (it’s not just about the price!). What corporation was secretly buying up their stock? I really appreciate such behind-the-scenes tidbits. I was most captivated by the part about scarves – both in the production process and patterns. The biggest surprise is the history of the color so characteristic of the brand (but of course I won’t reveal it to you).
Exceptionally, before reading “Yves Saint Laurent” by Emma Baxter-Wright, I recommend you first read the book about the “Dior” brand. At the beginning of his career, the designer worked in this fashion house and it had a great influence on his first projects and I think it will complement the entire reading. There is, of course, a chapter about this in this mini book, but it does not exhaust the topic. After working at Dior, young Yves Saint Laurent releases collections bearing his name – new styles appear, an explosion of colors and then many, many scandals. Emma Baxter-Wright focused on the designer – we get to know his friends, life partner, but also his problems with alcohol and drug addiction. The story is gripping, fascinating and anyone interested in fashion history should read it.
At the beginning of December, two more volumes from the series premiered: “Versace” and “Balenciaga”.
Not only about clothes and their creators
“The dream of beauty. How Estée Lauder built an empire and became a legend” by Laura Baldini from Wydawnictwo Marginesy is a fictionalized biography about the teenage years of Eszti, known to us as Estée, and the beginnings of her cosmetics empire. The action takes place alternately in the 1920s and 1940s. We learn about the history of the creation of the first cosmetics of the legendary cosmetics company, the original ways of promoting them, but the center of the story, around which the plot revolves, is Estée’s greatest love – Joseph. The book will appeal to both those who like biographies and fans of stories about the creation of cosmetic giants. Of course, you won’t learn the history of this well-known brand here, but I believe that getting to know the person behind this gigantic success is equally important. “Helena Rubinstein. The Australian Years” by Angus Trumble (Rebis) is a book full of surprises.
Helena Rubinstein had a tendency to bend reality… we know little about her youth, and what we do know is rather uncertain. Angus Trumble decided to investigate the fate of this extraordinary woman and talk about the period when she lived in Australia and was just starting her cosmetics empire. However, the book does not omit the earlier or later stages of her life. There is a lot of space here for art, which Helena loved to surround herself with, a lot of stories about her portraits, travels and… what life was like in Australia at the time when Rubinstein lived there. This is an interesting, although quite non-obvious connection. This is not a book that will help you learn the history of Helena Rubinstein well, but it will perfectly complement publicly available information. This is an ideal proposition for people who like the world of cosmetics and appreciate behind-the-scenes industry information. The book is perfect as a gift – it is very nicely published, hardcover, and has plenty of photos. Well written, very enjoyable to read.
“Oh scent! A guide to the fantastic world of scents” by Katarzyna Białousz and Anna Budyńska (Buchmann) is the first guide to the invisible world of scents and scented destinations in Europe. Will you learn how odors are created and how they affect our brain? Why is it worth smelling consciously? How to start learning to notice the smells around us? Who are the people who devote their whole lives to them? From the aroma of coffee to the extraordinary scent of iris oil from Tuscany, from stinking (?) French cheese to exquisitely scented roses from Bulgarian plantations and the scent of wild, primeval forest. The book is available in a hardcover and inside you will find a lot of beautiful photos and illustrations, so it will be perfect as a Christmas gift for those who like the smell of coffee, mown grass, old books or tasty food. Let yourself be drawn into the fascinating world of fragrances and feel more!
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
