MR PORTER publishes first book

MRPORTER.COM

ANNA DELLO RUSSO - THE PORTRAIT

Entitled “The Unstoppable Anna Dello Russo” this portrait by The Sartorialist aka Scott Schuman is for hardened fans…. The portrait print is set on the busy streets on Milan and shows Dello Russo mid strut…. A great addition to your art work at home … hallway perhaps?


Available from NETAPORTER.COM priced £25

ONE ALDWYCH GUEST LOUNGE LAUNCHES WITH PAUL SMITH BOOK COLLECTION

Designer Paul Smith Curates
Rizzoli Books Selection for One Aldwych
Guests-only Lounge At One launches

Celebrated designer Paul Smith has collaborated with leading art and design publisher Rizzoli by selecting over 50 of its finest books for One Aldwych hotel’s new Lounge At One. When One Aldwych opened in 1998 the design was the first of its kind – a contemporary luxury hotel within a celebrated classic 1907 building. Now, in 2012, the hotel’s new private guest lounge offers the supreme comfort and unpretentious service for which One Aldwych is known.

Designed by Fox Linton Associates and featuring a warm palette of clarets, taupes and purples, the Lounge At One space is a generous 1,500 square feet (140 square metres). Much more than just merely a place to rest, it is fully serviced throughout the day with a changing menu of light dishes for breakfast, daytime and evening, along with cocktails, wine and hot beverages. Lounge at One hosts are on hand to take care of individual needs such as checking guests in online for flights or liaising with the One Aldwych Concierge team for theatre and restaurant bookings.

 

 

Cosy sofas and armchairs encourage conversation, a central media area has a selection of iPads, magazines and newspapers as well as Paul Smith’s choice Rizzoli books, and a quiet zone is perfect for relaxing. The Lounge at Oneis open to every overnight guest but not to the public who are already well taken care of in the buzzing Lobby Bar nearby.

“Out new lounge marks the hotel’s commitment to offering guests the finest hotel experience in London ,” says General Manager Stefan Soennichsen. “Whether it’s to catch up over a cocktail and light bite or to hide away with a good book, the private Lounge at One is a sophisticated sanctuary amidst the whirl of London .”

Specially commissioned abstract contemporary art inspired by the building’s 1907 heritage as the headquarters of The Morning Post newspaper include a papier maché goose made entirely from pages of Le Mondeby Aude Goalec and Nicole Jacobs, a spliced book text installation by Thurle Wright and a three-dimensional artwork created with vintage letterpress print blocks by Robert Wilson.

 

 

 

Paul Smith and Rizzoli are the hotel’s neighbours in Covent Garden - both the designer’s iconic Floral Street store and Rizzoli’s glorious Somerset House shop are minutes away. What do the books chosen by Smith say about the designer? His selection of Rizzoli titles includes fashion, art, and photography such as “Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent” and “Cecil Beaton: The New York Years”. Not surprising for this cycling fan, he’s also selected titles such as“The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles” and “Cinelli”.All await One Aldwych hotel guests relaxing in the discreet comfort of the new Lounge At One.

Pleats Please Issey Miyake book launching next month

A new book is being launched next month celebrating Issey Miyake’s Pleats Please collections. The concept of Pleats Please Issey Miyake is explored through a selection of texts and images, tracing its journey from inception, through material development, to its public reception. The explanation of its evolution also includes a section revealing the creation of the original thread as well as the pleating process. The collections, first launched in 1993, were made from single pieces of high-quality 100% polyester fabric. From tube dresses to cardigans, skirts, shirts, or elastic-waisted pants: the clothes emerge with permanent pleats. This industrial process allows both texture and form to be created at the same time, with vertical pleating used to create different effects and architectural shapes. The book will be available from 6 September nationwide, with an invitation-only launch party taking place in London ....





Source:Diary Directory

GOOD READ: LOUIS VUITTON & MARC JACOBS..... THE BOOK

By Pamela Golbin - Rizzoli International

This fascinating publication presents the roles two men have played in turning a small workshop in nineteenth-century Paris into one of the most successful and recognized brands in the world. Known for both craftsmanship and must-have high design, Louis Vuitton the luxury house was started by its eponymous founder in 1854. The first half of this publication traces the innovations by Vuitton, who turned the little-known guild profession of emballeur (packer) into the foremost luxury trunk maker in Paris, with a clientele that included in his lifetime the French nobility as well as the elite of a prosperous empire. Prime and never-before-seen examples of Vuitton’s craftsmanship, along with the fashion that went into them, are the highlights of these chapters. The second half of the book examines the role of Marc Jacobs as Louis Vuitton’s creative director (since 1997), who took the Louis Vuitton house into a new era with a series of collaborations with artists and designers—such as Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, and Stephen Sprouse—as well as designing a line of highly successful and desired clothing for the company.By examining two divergent but often similar careers one hundred years apart, Louis Vuitton / Marc Jacobs is not only a layered study of the evolution of a luxury brand in the past 150 years but also a celebration of technical and design innovations in the new century.

Bringing home the Birkin - UPDATE!!!!

You might remember I recommended a book last week called Bringing Home the Birkin which is a great read and follows one mans journey in acquiring one. Well the author Michael Tonello saw my little review and sent me this amazing email .... Check it out







I love blogging and my blog can sometimes be me,me,me !! But you know you guys are always welcome to comment etc - but it's so nice when you receive emails such as the one above which expresses genuine thanks - I got it and had to share it to you all as you make the blog what it is


Michael thank you so much! And people get the book it's a great read!

GOOD READ: BRINGING HOME THE BIRKIN by Michael Tonello

An hilarious account one man's Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag

Can't see? follow this link - http://youtu.be/mcSUhBW8WaM

CANT BELIEVE I FORGOT - I WANT THIS TOO SANTA!!!

Can't believe I forgot about the David Gandy book by Dolce and Gabbana, a great coffee table book - Ive seen the contents already - its a bit mmmm and a bit grrrrr and a bit - oh no he didn't and a bit right there that's the spot..... ok what Im trying to say is its worth every penny!!!


Santa bring this aswell when your coming


Available from all good bookstores.....

CHRISTMAS READ: THE ALLURE OF MEN

The Allure Of Men By François Baudot





Take sartorial inspiration from some of the world's most impeccably dressed men with this elegant coffee table book. Writer François Baudot examines the debonair style of Gary Cooper, the Duke of Windsor and Jean Cocteau, amongst others, as well as providing a fascinating historical insight into the evolution of men's clothing.



Available from MR PORTER

CHRISTMAS READING: LES ANS CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

 Christian Louboutin is in a league of his own. Delving into the designer's imagination, this beautiful tome - created to celebrate the brand's 20th Anniversary - contains over 300 pages of stunning photography, inspiration, biographic detail and even some pop-up art. Featuring a fold-out cover and with exclusive insight into his personal archives, this is a real collector's item and will look fabulous on your coffee table or as a gift.


Available from http://www.christianlouboutin.com/ or http://www.netaporter.com/

CHRISTMAS READING: Emilio Pucci by Mariuccia Casadio

Emilio Pucci's bold prints, hot hues and whisper-weight silhouettes transformed the face of fashion, becoming a favorite with the jetset elite of the '60s and '70s - an aesthetic that remains instantly recognizable to this day. Delve into the Italian designer's remarkably unique retrospective with this hardcover book, bursting with glamorous images and a concise history by author Mariuccia Casadio.


 
Available from NET A PORTER priced at £16
 
 

 
 

 

CHRISTMAS READING: SAVAGE BEAUTY (THE BOOK)

Savage Beauty:  by Andrew Bolton, Tim Blanks, Harold Koda, Susannah Frankel, Solve Sundsbo in Books


An overview of Alexander McQueen's Career - features It features his most iconic and radical designs, revealing how McQueen adapted and combined the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring,
 
 
Thats's it not giving too much away!  great Christmas gift idea....

CHRISTMAS READ: DRESSING MARILYN

by Andrew Hansford

Without giving too much away the book takes alook at the style icon that was Marilyn Monroe and her style and just waht it took to dress her.... Great if your a Marilyn fan lots of stories, pictures and costumes to see...

#EXCLUSIVE!! Christian Louboutin book signing London

Thursday 24th November is a day I will remember for a long long time.... All roads led to Harvey Nichols for the Exclusive booking signing of Christian Louboutin's new book Les Ans, which celebrates 20 years of red soles through photography....








Just after 5pm Mr Louboutin walked out to greet his audience and a big audience it was .... tons of people turned out to meet the genius and have their books signed.....








A little video showing you around.....  a bit shaky but you will get the point....





It was an amazing and relaxed atmosphere and Mr Louboutin was in great spirits talking and posing for pictures ......







You sat, he signed, you took a picture and had a little chat.... he is such a great and humble person ... you walked away feeling special.... The queue was long but moved swiftly and everyone excited ... one thing was evident on every face when they walked away from the table... a big smile








For me just being there was a moment I will treasure and Im happy I have this blog to look back on...

As for the book its amazing! you wont be able to get it signed now but any fashionista or lover of Louboutin shoes should have it!!


Vedict: An amazing and surreal moment ... goes right up there next to when I met Dolce & Gabbana ... the number one spot!

The book is available from all Louboutin stores or online at http://www.christianlouboutin.com/ , also from Harvey Nichols and http://www.netaporter.com/ and all good online bookstores.








PS... there was huge specualation as to what Mr Louboutin would have on his feet .... as I was right at the front a couple people asked what shoes is he wearing ????  the answer is Men's tassled from the upcoming SS 12 collection... customised of course... after all he does own the company!

These shoes were just too awesome ... !!!

Special thanks to all Christian Louboutin PR for an amazing evening!

Your invite to meet iconic shoe designer Christian Louboutin

I was over moon when I received this fabulous invite to which I'm definitely going to attend ......... Now here's the best part - you can all come tooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! All the details you need to know are below on the invite ...... The book is a piece of history spanning 20 years!


See you there!!!

CHRISTMAS READING: CHANEL - AN INTIMATE LIFE

A book by Lisa Chaney that charts the rise of Gabrielle ‘CoCo’ Chanel and how she changed to way women dress. Price around £18.

A great Christmas gift for the fashionista in your life!

'BARNEYS' NEW YORK LOUBOUTIN WINDOWS #MUSTSEE

To celebrate  20th Anniversary christian Louboutin,  Barneys New York have created the most amazingly fantastical window designs to not only Celebrate 20 years of great shoes but also the new book..... Novemeber 1st sees the unveiling of a limited-edition shoe designed exclusively for Barneys!







The windows! I think you will agree they are totally amazing with the workmanship that have gone into them...




























If you look in the background, the men's shoes you see will be SS12 must have for men!