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Iconic: The Masters of Italian Fashion
Italian fashion has long been revered for its craftsmanship and luxury, but also for its iconic status in the fashion world. Floral brocades, leopard print and show-stopping red dresses – the masters of Italian fashion know how to make a statement.
In Iconic: The masters of Italian fashion, internationally renowned fashion illustrator Megan Hess explores ten of the best known and most loved Italian designers: Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Valentino, Pucci, Prada, Miu Miu, Missoni, Gucci and Armani.
Megan takes readers on an unforgettable journey beneath the seams of each designer, learning about their history and significance to Italian – and global – fashion culture. Filled with Megan's stunning illustrations of some of the most well-known and fabulous outfits, from suits to swimwear to haute couture gowns, Iconic is a truly unique celebration of one of the world's most important fashion destinations.
In Iconic: The masters of Italian fashion, internationally renowned fashion illustrator Megan Hess explores ten of the best known and most loved Italian designers: Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Valentino, Pucci, Prada, Miu Miu, Missoni, Gucci and Armani.
Megan takes readers on an unforgettable journey beneath the seams of each designer, learning about their history and significance to Italian – and global – fashion culture. Filled with Megan's stunning illustrations of some of the most well-known and fabulous outfits, from suits to swimwear to haute couture gowns, Iconic is a truly unique celebration of one of the world's most important fashion destinations.
- GenresFashionNonfictionItaly
192 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2018
14 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Megan Hess
111 books241 followersMegan Hess was destined to draw.
An initial career in graphic design evolved into art direction for some of the world’s leading design agencies. In 2008 Hess illustrated the New York Times number one selling book Sex And The City - written by Candace Bushnell. She has since illustrated portraits for Vanity Fair and Time, created iconic accessories for Henri Bendel and illustrated the windows of Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
Hess’s signature style can also be found on her bespoke range of silk scarves, cushions and Limited Edition prints sold around the globe.
She has written and illustrated 3 best selling books: Fashion House, The Dress and Coco Chanel.
Her renowned clients include: Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Yves Saint Laurent, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Fendi, Ladurée, Givenchy, Wedgwood, Salvatore Ferragamo, Michelle Obama, Cartier, Laduree, Montblanc, Balenciaga, Guerlain, Paspaley, Tag Heuer, and Disney.
An initial career in graphic design evolved into art direction for some of the world’s leading design agencies. In 2008 Hess illustrated the New York Times number one selling book Sex And The City - written by Candace Bushnell. She has since illustrated portraits for Vanity Fair and Time, created iconic accessories for Henri Bendel and illustrated the windows of Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
Hess’s signature style can also be found on her bespoke range of silk scarves, cushions and Limited Edition prints sold around the globe.
She has written and illustrated 3 best selling books: Fashion House, The Dress and Coco Chanel.
Her renowned clients include: Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Yves Saint Laurent, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Fendi, Ladurée, Givenchy, Wedgwood, Salvatore Ferragamo, Michelle Obama, Cartier, Laduree, Montblanc, Balenciaga, Guerlain, Paspaley, Tag Heuer, and Disney.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 30, 2023
RESEÑA
TÍTULO: Estilo: Maestros de la moda italiana
AUTORA: Megan Hess
ILUSTRADORA: Megan Hess
EDITORIAL: Lunwerg
PÁGINAS: 191
🧵Este es el tercer libro que leo de esta autora y de esta impresionante colección editada por Lunwerg, dedicada, a la moda que por lo que he ido viendo, es lo que más le gusta a Megan Hess. Ella es la que escribe y la que ilustra y ambas cosas las hace de manera impecable.
🧵Aquí nos vamos a encontrar iconos de la moda italiana, algunos que no conocía y otros que sí (aunque no por comprarme ropa suya precisamente 😊). Pero absolutamente todos, tienen una historia detrás de esos trajes y esos desfiles y Megan Hess ha querido darlos a conocer como artistas.
🧵Tres han sido las historias que más me han gustado, aunque no diré los nombres porque sé que hay gente como yo, que no lee la sinopsis y bueno, quiero que se sorprendan como me ha pasado a mí. Lo bonito de este libro es que cuenta cómo empezó cada uno de los modistos/as que ha escogido la autora. Cuando vemos una pasarela, no podemos imaginarnos qué hay detrás de todo ese trabajo y mucho menos de cómo algunos, empezaron.
🧵Son muy diferentes, pero todos tienen algo en común: adoran los diseños y la costura. De hecho, Megan Hess ha sido contratada como ilustradora durante la Semana de la Moda de Milán del 2005, mientras las modelos desfilaban. En cada palabra, en cada ilustración, se nota que la autora está enamorada de lo que hace y que ha nacido para eso y que por supuesto ha tenido que luchar para llegar donde está.
🧵Algunos modistos empezaron de cero, otros por inspiración, pero está claro que todos lo hicieron porque tenían una idea clara en la clara en su cabeza sobre lo que querían hacer. Se distinguen por los colores, tejidos, diseños, accesorios pero lo que tienen en común es que aunque hayan llegado ha Hollywood, siempre han tenido claro sus raíces italianas y aunque vayan cambiando con los tiempos siempre están inspirados en el estilo de vida y cultura del Mediterráneo.
🧵La edición no puede ser más bonita y tener más detalles maravillosos, lo podéis comprobar tanto en la portada como en las ilustraciones que podeis ver deslizando en la foto.
🧵Sin embargo tengo que ponerle una pega, para mí, bastante significativa aunque evidentemente es una opinión personal y es que todo lo que describe, es positivo, bonito, destaca los detalles de cada diseñador en su ropa. No digo que tenga que criticarlos, evidentemente que no, pero es como un poco, “Mundo Disney”. Al que igual que a nosotras como lectoras, no nos pueden gustar todos los libros que leemos, me resulta raro que Megan no incida en ningún momento en algún punto negativo, ya que al final te quedas con la sensación de que ve la moda con unas gafas de color rosa y no es realmente objetiva.
🧵Os guste la moda o no, os lo recomiendo porque vais a disfrutar muchísimo con su forma de relatar, de escoger lo verdaderamente importante y sobre todo de sus ilustraciones. Ojalá lo leáis y compartáis conmigo vuestra opinión
TÍTULO: Estilo: Maestros de la moda italiana
AUTORA: Megan Hess
ILUSTRADORA: Megan Hess
EDITORIAL: Lunwerg
PÁGINAS: 191
🧵Este es el tercer libro que leo de esta autora y de esta impresionante colección editada por Lunwerg, dedicada, a la moda que por lo que he ido viendo, es lo que más le gusta a Megan Hess. Ella es la que escribe y la que ilustra y ambas cosas las hace de manera impecable.
🧵Aquí nos vamos a encontrar iconos de la moda italiana, algunos que no conocía y otros que sí (aunque no por comprarme ropa suya precisamente 😊). Pero absolutamente todos, tienen una historia detrás de esos trajes y esos desfiles y Megan Hess ha querido darlos a conocer como artistas.
🧵Tres han sido las historias que más me han gustado, aunque no diré los nombres porque sé que hay gente como yo, que no lee la sinopsis y bueno, quiero que se sorprendan como me ha pasado a mí. Lo bonito de este libro es que cuenta cómo empezó cada uno de los modistos/as que ha escogido la autora. Cuando vemos una pasarela, no podemos imaginarnos qué hay detrás de todo ese trabajo y mucho menos de cómo algunos, empezaron.
🧵Son muy diferentes, pero todos tienen algo en común: adoran los diseños y la costura. De hecho, Megan Hess ha sido contratada como ilustradora durante la Semana de la Moda de Milán del 2005, mientras las modelos desfilaban. En cada palabra, en cada ilustración, se nota que la autora está enamorada de lo que hace y que ha nacido para eso y que por supuesto ha tenido que luchar para llegar donde está.
🧵Algunos modistos empezaron de cero, otros por inspiración, pero está claro que todos lo hicieron porque tenían una idea clara en la clara en su cabeza sobre lo que querían hacer. Se distinguen por los colores, tejidos, diseños, accesorios pero lo que tienen en común es que aunque hayan llegado ha Hollywood, siempre han tenido claro sus raíces italianas y aunque vayan cambiando con los tiempos siempre están inspirados en el estilo de vida y cultura del Mediterráneo.
🧵La edición no puede ser más bonita y tener más detalles maravillosos, lo podéis comprobar tanto en la portada como en las ilustraciones que podeis ver deslizando en la foto.
🧵Sin embargo tengo que ponerle una pega, para mí, bastante significativa aunque evidentemente es una opinión personal y es que todo lo que describe, es positivo, bonito, destaca los detalles de cada diseñador en su ropa. No digo que tenga que criticarlos, evidentemente que no, pero es como un poco, “Mundo Disney”. Al que igual que a nosotras como lectoras, no nos pueden gustar todos los libros que leemos, me resulta raro que Megan no incida en ningún momento en algún punto negativo, ya que al final te quedas con la sensación de que ve la moda con unas gafas de color rosa y no es realmente objetiva.
🧵Os guste la moda o no, os lo recomiendo porque vais a disfrutar muchísimo con su forma de relatar, de escoger lo verdaderamente importante y sobre todo de sus ilustraciones. Ojalá lo leáis y compartáis conmigo vuestra opinión
December 7, 2018
By all accounts Megan Hess' books about fashion should not be my thing at all. I'm not into fashion, haute couture or otherwise. I don't give a fig about luxury brands or prestigious designers. But Coco Chanel has always fascinated me - it's her rags and riches story that intrigues me more than her fashion label. Chanel's early fashion ideas stemmed from strong feelings she had about women, freedom of movement and independence - higher dress lengths, removing corsets, simple, elegant, easy to wear designs - are all hallmarks of her label designed to give women liberty and style.
Which is how Hess first came to my attention.
Coco Chanel: The Illustrated Life of a Fashion Icon (2015) appealed instantly with its illustrated picture-book-for-adults feel. It was fun, whimsical and a stylish gift book. Although I can't but help think that Chanel's ideal of freedom of movement would be seriously challenged by the dress featured on the front cover of Hess' latest book, Iconic: The Masters of Italian Fashion!
Full review here - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com/2018/...
Which is how Hess first came to my attention.
Coco Chanel: The Illustrated Life of a Fashion Icon (2015) appealed instantly with its illustrated picture-book-for-adults feel. It was fun, whimsical and a stylish gift book. Although I can't but help think that Chanel's ideal of freedom of movement would be seriously challenged by the dress featured on the front cover of Hess' latest book, Iconic: The Masters of Italian Fashion!
Full review here - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com/2018/...
September 28, 2018
I am always up for anything Megan Hess. The second I found out this book was coming out, I was on the computer pre-ordering, and then waiting in excited anticipation for months for it to actually arrive. When it did I was beyond excited.
The illustrations in this are beautiful, as is to be expected. I fell in love with so many of the designs, and found myself wishing I had the occasion (and the income) to support such a purchase.
The only thing I would have changed is the layout of the pages that had the designers information on them. There was about one and a half pages worth of text (which was all that was needed) spread across 4 actual pages. This meant there was quite a bit of blank space. I can understand that decision if the idea was to make the illustrations shining beacons in comparison. But I'm sure a border or something could have been designed that would have filled up that space that didn't take away from the beauty of the illustrations. Just something subtle of interest amongst all that white, blankness. Apart from that small critique I couldn't fault this at all. It was stunning.
The illustrations in this are beautiful, as is to be expected. I fell in love with so many of the designs, and found myself wishing I had the occasion (and the income) to support such a purchase.
The only thing I would have changed is the layout of the pages that had the designers information on them. There was about one and a half pages worth of text (which was all that was needed) spread across 4 actual pages. This meant there was quite a bit of blank space. I can understand that decision if the idea was to make the illustrations shining beacons in comparison. But I'm sure a border or something could have been designed that would have filled up that space that didn't take away from the beauty of the illustrations. Just something subtle of interest amongst all that white, blankness. Apart from that small critique I couldn't fault this at all. It was stunning.
December 7, 2018
I really like Hess' illustration style, and I love fashion, so was very interested in giving this book a read. Hess uses her illustrations to accompany brief histories of ten of the most influential Italian fashion labels: Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Missoni, Prada, Miu Miu, Gucci, Versace, Pucci and Valentino.
Even though each label's biography is no more than four pages, I still learnt a lot of interesting things about their history, and their legacy in Italian fashion. I had no idea Karl Lagerfeld had such a long history with Fendi, for example.
Recommended for lovers of fashion and of Hess' illustrations.
Even though each label's biography is no more than four pages, I still learnt a lot of interesting things about their history, and their legacy in Italian fashion. I had no idea Karl Lagerfeld had such a long history with Fendi, for example.
Recommended for lovers of fashion and of Hess' illustrations.
October 8, 2023
⭐⭐⭐ | Estilo, maestros de la moda italiana
Es una edición preciosa y hecho con mucho detalle. En el interior nos enseñas algunos modelos de marcas italianas con la historia de cada de ellas. El libro es breve y sencillo, me han faltado muchas cosas y más representación. Por ejemplo, la autora menciona bolsos emblemáticos de las firmas, ¡sin enseñar visualmente como son! Me han faltado más imágenes y más información, por lo tanto no es un libro para insertarse más en la moda, sino es un libro superficial para empezar.
✔️recomendado para principiantes en moda que quieran conocer una breve historia de las firmas de moda italianas.
Es una edición preciosa y hecho con mucho detalle. En el interior nos enseñas algunos modelos de marcas italianas con la historia de cada de ellas. El libro es breve y sencillo, me han faltado muchas cosas y más representación. Por ejemplo, la autora menciona bolsos emblemáticos de las firmas, ¡sin enseñar visualmente como son! Me han faltado más imágenes y más información, por lo tanto no es un libro para insertarse más en la moda, sino es un libro superficial para empezar.
✔️recomendado para principiantes en moda que quieran conocer una breve historia de las firmas de moda italianas.
October 8, 2018
In true Hess style, beautiful illustrations with lovely bright colours. An elegant addition to the coffee table or mantelpiece. Contains an overview of 10 of the most Iconic Italian fashion houses which is succinct and carries a good summary of key points throughout their history.
July 19, 2021
Such a fun read! Megan Hess' illustrations are just incredible. After reading this book I have gone and bought even more of Megan's books and I am so excited to give them all a read, plus they are absolutely beautiful to look at on your shelf!
December 16, 2023
This seemingly family-friendly fashion illustrator is totally secular and normalizes/glamorizes the totally disordered lives of the designers that she details in this book. Meant to be aspirational, but it just turned me off. Did not finish.
March 18, 2020
I loved this book! This book truly introduced me to the wonder and beauty of Italian fashion! Love this book and highly recommend!
April 18, 2020
Her illustrations are sensational, as always!
August 14, 2021
Another beautiful book from Megan Hess. A slice of fashion heaven!
Can’t wait to indulge in more by this author.
Can’t wait to indulge in more by this author.
January 2, 2023
What a lovely little book! I learned so much about the 10 labels included, and Megan Hess’ illustrations are as incredible as ever.
January 9, 2023
Nice easy read for easy going days.
January 12, 2024
Meryl bookclub 2024 ✅
March 17, 2025
Beautiful and fun
Want to read
July 23, 2025SM
September 29, 2025
To moja pierwsza książka o modzie, ale dowiedziałam się z niej kilku ciekawych rzeczy o historii włoskich projektantów.
June 24, 2020
In my humble opinion, there is no-one greater than Megan Hess. Her way of words about fashion is one thing, but her illustrations are out of this world. Of her many books, this one based on the history of Italian fashion designers is one of my favourites. Megan Hess explores the likes of Versace, Valentino, Prada, Gucci and more - learning about their history and significance to Italian and global fashion culture. A must-read for any avid fashion lover and if the words aren’t captivating enough, the illustrations are worth it.
October 11, 2019
It’s always a pleasure reading and admiring Hess’ work. And her take on Iconic: The Masters of Italian Fashion is no different.
December 4, 2018
Awesome book, just not my thing. Pretty pics and cool background of different designers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews