American Fashion Cookbook: 100 Designers' Best Recipes
While reading....
Marc Jacobs is manning the DJ booth as Diddy mixes Ciroc cocktails and Karl (Lagerfeld) greets the guests. Naomi, Heidi and others strut around in Herrera and Armani Couture while balancing sumptuous hors d'oeuvres. A fashionable feast commences when John Varvatos serves his Colaloo Soup. Derek Lam follows with his Yellowtail Crudo and before we can argue that our frocks have been stretched far enough, Mark Ecko melts our reserve--and peeks our interest--with his "Adults Only" Chocolate Chip Cookies.
...At least that's what went on in my head while reading the Council of Fashion Designers of America's American Fashion Cookbook, published by Assouline and with a forward by Martha Stewart, a big treat that shares more than 100 recipes and original illustrations from fashion's designers. "...here are all the recipes a stylish soul needs...from the flirtatiousness of Strawberry Shortcake to the minimalism of Chocolate Ganache to the zip of Andalusian Gazpacho..."
Who says you can't wear your frock and eat food to? No need to ponder. Designers dish--on fashionable food--in American Fashion Cookbook.
Question: Which legendary designer posed nude to promote his perfume? Was it (a) Tom Ford (b) Valentino (c) Calvin Klein (d) Yves Saint Laurent? Questions like these make up a new trivia-style board game called Fashion Rules by Margaret Maldonado (available at RonRobinson). Questions fall into multiple categories, including Glam (beauty, hair, makeup), Divas (celebs), In Print (fashion magazines) and Stylemakers (designers, stylists, famed fashion houses). If you know your fashion 411 you advance around the board collecting accessories (board pieces) to drop in your shopping bag. Collect the most accessories and you’re on your way down the catwalk, the new Boardwalk. The 2 ½ hour game is perfect for a girl’s night in. So which legendary designer posed nude to promote his perfume? Yves Saint Laurent in 1971!
But if pushing faux accessories around a board isn't your style try the Fashion Game Book by Florence Müller. This compendium of fashion intrigue, lore, who’s who, and what’s what covers an entire century of designers, couturiers and must-have looks parading between its covers. Q&A’s, quizzes, photographs and more cover fashion’s top influences from Charles James and Claire McCardell to Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen and fashion they’ve blessed us with from jeans and T-shirts to bridal gowns and stilettos. You'll no doubt gain the essential keys to understanding the art of appearances, so no fear of hearing Heidi say, "You’re out." FashionGameBook available here.
Talk about baggage. Not only do you get the flamboyant history on this must-have can't live without accessory, but the must read Bags also carries as a small handbag!
"Classic or rakish, discreet or ostentatious, worn by day or at night, over the shoulder or handheld, this minuscule ‘box of secrets’ is women’s most essential accessory. It’s a miniature version of her universe: mirror, keys, diary, photographs, and secret messages; the bedroom or boudoir she hangs from her arm. The purse has lived many lives. Designers have become uninhibited, constantly surpassing the limits of the functional and the beautiful; fashion icons have given their names to bags. Combining photographs of fashion with archival images from around the world, Bags recounts the flamboyant history of this accessory and is a must read.Note: This special memoire actually carries as a small handbag!"
-Assouline
Nina Garcia’s The One Hundred: A Guide To The Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own is an essential style guide that you will want to reference often. It’s the perfect tool for shopping your closet and the alphabetically ordered contents make it effortlessly easy to get in style…though I’m sure you’re already on trend with classics like the Tiffany wave cuff or your Ray Ban Aviators. If this is the case you’ll still enjoy the crash course in fashion history, like the fact that the Chanel 2.55 bag got its name because it debuted February 1955, and if that’s not enough the illustrations from Ruben Toledo are sure to give a dose of style inspiration. Get your Guide here.
