Kitsch: the mere word evokes mental images of cutesy collectibles, treacly trinkets, sweetly sentimental scenes, thematically trite tabletop tchotchkes, or perhaps anemic appropriations of canonical works of art. Frequently dismissed as facile, lowbrow, or one-off, throwaway aesthetics, kitsch elicits responses that range from the sardonic smirk laced with derision to the grin glimmering with the indulgence in a “guilty” pleasure. Kitsch, however, is surprisingly mobile and complex, as evidenced by its recent renewal as “kitschy cool.” This ambiguity not only allows it to gesture towards a disparate array of artifacts and ideations, but also to be pushed and pulled in various applicatory directions. The contributors to this collection address the problem of how and what kitsch might signify, and approach the kitsch question as a complex, nuanced interrogative. They consider kitsch in relation to its historical association with pseudo-art, its theoretical underpinnings and connections to class, the deliberate mobilization of kitsch in the work of specific artists, kitsch as a form of practice, as well as kitsch’s traffic with race, patriotism, and postmodernism. The essays in this collection necessarily cut a wide interpretative path, mapping the terrain of the phenomenon of kitsch – historically, conceptually, practically – in multivocal ways, befitting the polysemous creature that is kitsch itself. Drawing upon art history, popular culture studies, philosophy, and visual culture, the authors’ responses to the “big” question of kitsch move well beyond habitual artificial boundaries, far beyond the simple binaries of good/bad, high/low, elite/popular, or art/kitsch, into far more complex, challenging, and ultimately rewarding territory.

This is the essential student’s guide to Design – its practice, its theory and its history. Respected design writer Catherine McDermott draws from a wide range of international examples.

Brings together work of leading Lowbrow and Pop Surrealist artists. With over 100 examples by two dozens artists. Provides a timeline of the movement with graphic artists profiles.

“With Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, [Dana] Thomas—who has been the cultural and fashion writer for Newsweek in Paris for 12 years—has written a crisp, witty social history that’s as entertaining as it is informative.” —New York Times From the author of Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes Once luxury was available only to the rarefied and aristocratic world of old money and royalty. It offered a history of tradition, superior quality, and a pampered buying experience. Today, however, luxury is simply a product packaged and sold by multibillion-dollar global corporations focused on growth, visibility, brand awareness, advertising, and, above all, profits. Award-winning journalist Dana Thomas digs deep into the dark side of the luxury industry to uncover all the secrets that Prada, Gucci, and Burberry don't want us to know. Deluxe is an uncompromising look behind the glossy façade that will enthrall anyone interested in fashion, finance, or culture.

This balanced examination looks at America's pervasive celebrity culture, concentrating on the period from 1950 to the present day. Star Struck: An Encyclopedia of Celebrity Culture is neither a stern critic nor an apologist for celebrity infatuation, a phenomenon that sometimes supplants more weighty matters yet constitutes one of our nation's biggest exports. This encyclopedia covers American celebrity culture from 1950 to 2008, examining its various aspects—and its impact—through 86 entries by 30 expert contributors. Demonstrating that all celebrities are famous, but not all famous people are celebrities, the book cuts across the various entertainment medias and their legions of individual "stars." It looks at sports celebrities and examines the role of celebrity in more serious pursuits and institutions such as the news media, corporations, politics, the arts, medicine, and the law. Also included are entries devoted to such topics as paranoia and celebrity, one-name celebrities, celebrity nicknames, family unit celebrity, sidekick celebrities, and even criminal celebrities.

"I loved the 70s - and that's both the 1970s and the 1870s. There's obviously always something about a decade that starts with a seven that means the design dial is turned to 11; colours get bolder, shapes get badder and style flies its freak flag. So, thank goodness resplendent 70s temptress Estelle Bilson has committed pen to paper so that the world can enjoy her take on the era of soft squares, teak, shag and Artex." - Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen "[Estelle Bilson] gives people the courage to use [her] products without fear - [she is] brilliant - I think [she] is the most important creative look since Conran." Barbara Hulanicki OBE From disco and glam to space age and psychedelic, there's no denying the huge impact the 70s had on style and design. But how do you bring the era's maximalism to your interior without it looking like a cluttered junk shop or a period pastiche? Estelle Bilson aka @70shousemanchester transformed her unremarkable 3-bedroom terraced home into a 70s wonderland, using a thrifty eye and vintage know-how. In her first book, she shows you how to bring the same creative magic to your home with her expert advice, tips and tricks on choosing colour, pattern, shapes and materials - whether you're after a few nods to the era, or the full 70s fantasy. 70s House is the definitive guide to the most daring decade in design, covering everything from shag carpets and supergraphics, to Hornsea ceramics and G Plan furniture. The book is split into three sections: 70s influences - what shaped the era?; How to bring the 70s to your interior design; and At home with 70s House Manchester. And of course, it wouldn't be the 70s without a good old-fashioned shindig - Estelle also reveals her secrets to throwing the grooviest get-together, complete with vintage recipes and record selections to match. Part interiors guide, part manual for living, this loud-and-proud book will bring not only 70s colour and kitsch to the modern day, but also the rebellious spirit, pure joy and freewheeling energy epitomised by the era. Because the 70s is so much more than the decade that taste forgot.