Written by Imogen Edwards-Jones, this is a novel that can change the way you shop, no matter whether it be at Marc Jacobs or Top Shop.
From high style to higher street, this book takes you by means of six months in the life of a British designer and up-and-coming-fashion home, about 2006. From London Fashion Week in September to New York Style Week the following February, comply with every stressful day from the inspiration, improvement of concepts, to final runway shows.
The Scandals Behind the Catwalk
This behind-the-scenes-expos is written as a novel and spills the beans on who actually wealds the power inside the business and whose butt it's important to kiss. It takes the lid off a few of the scandals, when it comes to the cut-throat business of having a profitable runway show.
Though some characters inside the market are identified, part of the entertaining is guessing who the likely identity with the model, designer or critic is, that happen to be incorporated within the authors anecdotes. Some personalities stay anonymous, for apparent reasons. Study the tricks in the trade of several designers in relation to creating their mood boards and making garments, and how they acquire there "inspiration" for new collections no matter whether it be from other designer's vintage clothes, or from neighborhood marketplace stalls.
Style Babylon also reveals heaps of fashion-industry secrets that some designers would choose to become left unsaid. Examples include things like a preference (with some designers) for working with children's cotton in regards to spending budget cuts, or cutting the label off of a vintage piece and sending it down the runway, calling it your very own.
The Glamorous World of the Runway Model
Certainly one of one of the most fascinating insights in the book is in to the world on the runway model. Popping pills and laxatives to make them thin, plus the pressure and strains of a photoshoot; their life just isn't so glamorous immediately after all. You will discover some revealing stories relating to the antics of supermodels, and some revelations with regards to a pile cream that may be applied by some, to tighten the skin around the eyes, as an alternative to the nether regions! In addition, it touches around the size-zero debate and the health dangers involved for those who've to diet hard, to maintain ahead of their profession.
The Energy of Perfume and Fashion Accessories
When you have a passion for purses, discover why the humble handbag is so vital in the world of style. How the mark up on perfumes is phenomenal on each bottle, but that the initial outlay can expense up to a huge selection of thousands Sheer Swimwear of dollars and take years to create.
Fashion Babylon offers some eye-opening facts and figures in terms of price and profit ratios amongst clothes, accessories and perfumes. After reading this you are going to no longer wonder why countless style houses have launched their own designer fragrances and why fashion accessories are so important to a label.
A Altering Market
It highlights how the fickle globe of style has been overturned considering that the onset with the online, exactly where now the month-to-month glossies (with their longer lead-in occasions) Led Open Sign need to battle together with the likes of key style sites like style, that are able to turn-round images of the most current runway collections just by uploading them (and their much-awaited reviews) the day right after each runway show.
Celebrity Culture
The book also lifts the lid on a number of the causes why we are obsessed with celebrities and offers the lowdown around the major 10 girls A-listers who can sell dresses and are a designers dream ticket. There is also a witty appear as to how particular fashion homes distainfully view some celebrities and their WAGS (wives and girlfriends) and the lengths (and lies) some designers will go to, in an effort to protect against them from wearing their label, if a particular celebrity does not represent the ideal image!
A Lighthearted but Insightful Read
Fashion Babylon is a must-read for any fashionista. The New York Occasions hails it as "the fashionista's trashy read of option," supplanting The Devil Wears Prada. British women's magazine Heat calls it " a true must-read for any individual considering fashion or obsessed by celebrity," and also the Every day Telegraph says wholesale clothes for dogs its revelations "will leave you rubbing your hands with glee."
This is a summer time study that is each witty and insightful. With whiffs of scandal, sexual references and cocaine habits, Style Babylon is slightly Jackie Collinsesque in places, but none-the-less is actually a good, lighthearted read.
Above all Style Babylon will influence the way you feel when go looking for next season's wardrobe. It provides an insight into to the blood, sweat and tears that goes into creating both high style and high street, and all those who are involved inside the sector, from designer to model to critic, to make a collection a success.