Self Styled: Dare to be Different

by Anthony Lycett

Self-Styled is about the celebration of freedom of expression, diversity and individualism through personal style. Showcasing photographic diptychs of a select group of fabulous urbanites, each double-page spread illustrates a unique personal choice while implicitly exploring themes such as gender, colour, body shape and taste. The concept behind Self-Styled is each person is asked to choose two outfits - one that represents daywear and a second that represents nightwear. Then, through a dual photographic portrait, author Anthony Lycett encapsulates their distinctive personalities in a stylist-free zone as they self-styled. Since embarking on the project in 2008, Anthony has photographed people from all walks of life. His ever-growing body of work provides a fascinating overview of the multifaceted vibrancy of urban cultures and subcultures.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Inspirational

256 pages, Hardcover

Published November 17, 2016

Reviews

[ErinFlight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of gorgeous pictures of wild outfits, and short statements by the wearers of those same outfits.

I enjoyed this book, but I found myself more interested in the rare picture that showed outfits that looked like something a person might actually wear around. Due to the limitations of this book, two pictures each, I suspect that many of the photographed people wore their most vibrant and extreme outfit, the one they might take out once a year at a party.

And while this was interesting, and sometimes stunning, it's not really what I'm curious about. I found myself wanting to see what these people came up with on a normal weekend, when they were trying to be creative, but not at their most extreme. And the book doesn't really provide much of that.

So, in the end, it ends up being less a book of unusual styles and fashions, and more a book of outfits that are art pieces. There's nothing wrong with that, but it wasn't quite what I was hoping for.

[Moon Perwez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely inspiring people in this book !!
If there’s 1 thing I’ve learned from this book is that I will continue to wear whatever the f I want and be myself

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Self.Styled’ is an inspired collection of outfit pictures and mini-interviews with a selection of people who love to dress up. Lycett has captured some fantastic looks, sensibly giving all of them a plain white background. The accompanying text throws up intriguing repetitions: many, perhaps even the majority, of the people photographed say that they are or were shy despite their eye-catching style. The interviewees also collectively display an interesting ambivalence about the extent to which what you wear truly reflects who you are. Different responses place different emphases on whether their own style means they can be accurately judged on what they wear, as well as whether this is true more generally. It’s a complex and thought-provoking area, certainly. Another theme is dressing as imagined characters. For some this is formal, as a drag performer, for others less so. I sometimes make up backstories or personae for my own outfits, as it makes dressing more fun. Indeed, this book felt like a vindication of the ‘dressing up box’ portion of wardrobe, none of which I can wear on a daily basis. That’s not the point, though. Dressing up is its own reward, as Lycett’s photos demonstrate. If extravagant clothes make you happy but you don’t work as a ‘creative’, then wear them to watch TV on the sofa. I’ve always found ballgowns very good for morale.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by anything or anyone different. I like to be different. I love listening to people’s stories and asking questions, which is why this book is so interesting. There are so many incredible, tender and creative souls out there. This project captures all that amazingness.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book or even loved it. It has wonderful photographs, and how the subjects describe their clothing and its use is funny, insightful, and/or just plain fabulous. I only wish the book was longer--maybe a second book?--and included even more people.

[Emily Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! So much inspiration about style connected to identity and uniqueness. Exactly the kind of thinking that I love about fashion, and not at all what many fashion books/magazines portray about the industry. A true gem!!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly enjoyed the pictures & didn't get into the writing too much.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit pretentious, but still great. It’s a collection of interesting people wearing interesting things. I found it thought-provoking and noticed a specific emphasis on non-conformity.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book - full of inspiring photos of creative and beautiful people.

[Gillian King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book - really speaks to my soul.