Well read
Title The Swimsuit
Author Sarah Kennedy
Publisher Cameron House
This book is a celebration of the swimsuit in all its glory.
Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs and illustrations, the book takes the reader through the evolution of the bathing suit over the times, from the woollen Victorian bathing suit to barely-there wisps of fabric.
In doing so, it also looks at the transformation of the swimsuit following body shape trends - from skinny models and boyish-shaped bodies to hour glass figures and later a more athletic look - reflected in swimsuits produced by the likes of Speedo, Jantzen and Catalina.
A strong theme in the book is the beach holiday - you'll see early seaside postcards of 'bathing belles' and car images of the carefree Californian beach life through to the slick luxury of swimwear presented in advertising today.
Celebrity trends such as 'jet set' designed by Elizabeth Hurley, Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey are also covered as well as designer resortwear and post millennium swimsuit trends that make women appear slimmer, whether it's in the structure of the garment itself or by other means such as fake tan.
Both visually and historically, this book provides a fascinating journey through the different fashions and eras. It will appeal to every woman who has had a love-hate relationship with her bathing suit and demonstrates how the swimsuit has reflected the female form, fashion, sex and styles of our times.
Title Man Ray Magie
Editor Valerio Dehò
Publisher Damiani
Man Ray is known to have revolutionised photography with his experimental techniques. In order to earn a living, in the 1920s he moved to Paris to focus on fashion photography and his work appeared in magazines such as Vogue and Harpers Bazaar.
With his brave use of lighting and minimalist representation, Man Ray forever changed fashion photography, producing images unlike any that had come before.
Known for his sexually charged imagery and avant-garde techniques, Man Ray always denied he had any ability with the camera or in the darkroom. However, as this script reveals, this is clearly not the case.
This unique hard cover book features over 130 Readers with an interest in fashion photography and art and the interaction between the two will enjoy this book.