Legendary Artists and the Clothes They Wore: A Visual Biography of 40+ Masters and Their Iconic Style in Fashion and Art

by Terry Newman

Whether it’s Cecil Beaton’s flamboyant, classically tailored suits, Frida Kahlo’s love of bright color, or Cindy Sherman’s penchant for minimalism, an artist’s attire often reflects the creative and spiritual essence of his or her work. In Legendary Artists and the Clothes They Wore , fashion authority Terry Newman presents more than forty fully illustrated profiles of masters whose enduring art bears an idiosyncratic stamp—and whose unique way of dress does the same through a signature look, hairstyle, or accessory—and explores the relationship between the two in detail. In that context, this colorful volume also examines the nonlinear sensibility that has always been the name of the game in what is considered modern style. It examines the dialogue between art and fashion as well as noteworthy artist and designer relationships, such as Yves Saint Laurent’s Mondrian Collection, primary-colored shift dresses inspired by the painter’s work, and Louis Vuitton’s numerous groundbreaking collaborations with major artists, a concept initiated by designer Marc Jacobs that not only has launched some of the fashion industry’s most successful bags, made the art of contemporary masters available to the world at large, and been copied widely ever since. Numerous compelling features—anecdotes about the artists and their work; portraits of the artists in their studios; archival photographs; select pairings of fine art and runway imagery; quotations by artists, art critics, and designers—make this a rich, engaging study for fashion and art lovers alike.

Genres: Art, Fashion, Nonfiction, History

208 pages, Hardcover

Published May 14, 2019

Reviews

[Olivia Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so much potential! Sadly, there were two reasons it missed the mark:

1) 90% of the art or pictures referenced weren't printed in the book. With every artist, I spent at least 10 minutes Googling most of the things mentioned. Saying things like "This artist is famous for the balloon shaped trousers they wore," but then not showing the reader the picture isn't my dream learning experience.

2) There didn't seem to be a method to how the artists were presented. At first I thought it was chronological, but then got suspicion when we jumped from 1969 to 1996 and back to 1930. It made the art movements and fashion feel disjointed.

I gave the book 3-stars because it introduced me to artists I had never heard of. But I was grateful when the book was over.

[Lau C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this will sound a bit lame, but I wish this book had more images. The author relies on the knowledge of the reader to describe all the artist's works, whereas it would have been great to the the art and fashion side by side, to appreciate the details of a garment that was inspired in an artist.
I was googling while reading constantly, I wish it came with a QR code , but all in all a very nice coffee table book!

[Elizabeth Judd Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and informative book about artists and their personal styles, as well as their influences on the fashion world. Good range of 20th & 21st century subjects, well illustrated with photographs and paintings. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to those interested in modern art and fashion.

[Viktor Sidorov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Эрудиция автора впечатляет. Неплохой обзор, но очень похоже на большую статью из интернета. Кроме того, нет иллюстраций к большинству произведений, которые упоминает автор. Издание красивое, бумага отличная, хороший подарок - но точно не must have в библиотеке человека, увлекающегося модой и искусством

[Ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping there would be more reference images or direct correlations between art and fashion, but this was more of a short biography of fashion-forward people. Which is fine, just not what I expected. Very beautifully created though.

[Patricanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

For such a visual subject I was expecting far more photos. The text was informative and interesting but needed backup.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book on avant garde or creative artists who have also influenced fashion, besides art.
Covers people like Andy Warhol, Picasso, and others. Fun.