The idea of the backstage in fashion shows is simultaneously theatrical and authentic. It has the attributes of theater, with a curtain that separates the phenomenon of catwalk magic from the phenomenon of its magicians. However, the reality behind the spectacle is innately human. Somewhere in the middle of it all there is the designer. The designer is the centre around which the whole storm swirls. This is the world Julien Claessens entered with his first trip to Paris and the man behind it all was revolutionary designer Olivier Theyskens. When he was twenty, Olivier Theyskens dropped out of design school to create his first collection. Within the next year, Women's Wear Daily headlined his "Star Quality," Harpers Bazaar christened him an "Instant Icon," and The New York Times singled out his work in coverage of the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute, where it was already enshrined. That winter, Madonna wore Theyskens to the Oscars. In the decade since, he has lent his power to two international brands, "restoring the fortunes," as Vogue put it, of the house of Rochas, and then moving on to Nina Ricci as artistic director. His work has appeared on the cover of French, British, and American Vogue worn by Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, among other stars. Even the most casually fashion conscious consumers--occasional awards-show viewers and glossy-magazine readers--know his name, his striking face, and his dark, soft, and often-flattering aesthetic. Now, for the first time in his whirlwind career, through the beautiful photographs taken by Julien Claessens, Theyskens has made time to look back over his work and to press it into a book for worldwide distribution. Theysken's comments, "Julien's not running after the best-cut dresses," instead, "he's running after the moment." In essence, Claessens' beautiful visual montage captures more than merely a statement on fashion. Instead, he offers a comprehensive perspective paying homage to the authenticity of craftsmanship found in the world of fashion and bestows an intimate visual biography of the work of Olivier Theyskens, tracking his rise, cataloging his oeuvre, and offering a beautiful showcase for the romantic, mysterious, sumptuous garments on the volume's pages. Whether designing for Rochas, Nina Ricci or his own label, Olivier Theyskens has always wandered at the edges of beauty and refinement. Even though this young designer has experienced an unusual number of professional upheavals and fresh beginnings in a relatively short career, his vision has remained extraordinarily intact. AUTHOR Olivier Theyskens is a unique fashion icon heralding from Belgium who has been designing for over 10 years, he has worked with world renowned brands such as Rochas and Nina Ricci. This is his first book. PHOTOGRAPHER Julien Claessens has photographed Theyskens' work throughout his career. Julien is also from Belgium. ILLUSTRATIONS

The first complete monograph on Olivier Theyskens surveys his twenty-year career and documents the highly anticipated return of his eponymous label. Olivier Theyskens’s refined sensibilities earned him international acclaim as the dark prince of late 1990s couture. From his first saturnine collections, to his new vision for Rochas, to his patterns and textiles at Nina Ricci, to his years designing for Theyskens’ Theory, the designer has proved himself a master of couture, semi-couture, and prêt-à-porter. Celebrated for his fine tailoring, romantic silhouettes, and gothic palette, Theyskens transforms each house he helms. This distinctive volume charts the twenty-year development of an extraordinary aesthetic vision, rendered across countries, cultures, and the shifting sands of the fashion landscape. Newly commissioned texts connect the threads of the Belgian-born artist’s diverse practice. Drawings created for the publication accompany photography from each period of his career. At both Rochas and Nina Ricci, the designer crafted ethereal garments with unorthodox silhouettes, mixing sheer fabrics and old-world bustles with subtly subversive punk elements. Theyskens then broke ground in 2011 with his trailblazing partnership, Theyskens’ Theory. With a special focus on the designer’s return to the runway at the head of his own line, this is the definitive work on a fashion visionary who, like the girls he designs for, changes form, but walks in beauty wherever he goes.

The ultimate crash course for every woman who wants to be "cool" presents an entertaining, fact-filled guide on how to navigate life with style and flair, offering practical advice on everything from knowing why Jackson Pollock is important to which handbag can get you upgraded at the airport. Original. 40,000 first printing.

An exquisite collection of nearly 400 iconic, inspirational wedding photographs of royalty, models, artists, actors, musicians and designers who have appeared in Vogue through the magazine’s 120 year history. Showcasing the work of legendary photographers such as Cecil Beaton, Patrick Demarchelier, Jonathan Becker, Norma Jean Roy, Mario Testino, Irving Penn, Arthur Elgort, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, and Annie Leibovitz, Vogue Weddings will transport you to a myriad of romantic settings around the world, from storied castles, palaces, and cathedrals, to weddings by the sea or in the countryside. Here are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in London; Sofia Coppola and Thomas Mars in Italy; Kate Moss and Jamie Hince in the Cotswolds; Lauren Bush and David Lauren at the RRL Ranch in Colorado; Marina Rust and Ian Connor in Maine; Lauren Davis and Andrés Santo Domingo in Cartagena, Colombia as well as such iconic photos as Bianca and Mick Jagger in the car after their wedding in St. Tropez. A chapter on models’ weddings includes portraits of Natalia Vodianova, Coco Rocha, Maggie Rizer, Stella Tennant, Lara Stone and Cindy Crawford among others in their own wedding dress choices. Vogue Weddings also features behind-the-scenes details from Hamish Bowles; personal wedding stories from Mario Testino, Plum Sykes, Marina Rust and Sarah Mower; and fashion portfolios created by the magazine’s editors of bridal photo shoots, many including couture.

Fashion questionnaires answered by Thom Browne, Ennio Capasa, Pierre Cardin, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Roberto Cavalli, Alber Elbaz, Diane von Furstenberg, John Galliano, Carolina Herrera, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Karl Lagerfeld, Catherine Malandrino, Nicole Miller, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Rucci, Sonia Rykiel, Olivier Theyskens, Isabel Toledo, and Valentino.

"Students of fashion design are eager to explore the history of their chosen field as well as keep up with new and emerging designers. Who's Who in Fashion captures the energy, drama, and excitement of the luminaries who make up the world of fashion. Profiles include design philosophies, mentors, and sources of inspiration, tracing the careers of many of the men and women who have contributed to fashion. Not only are today's major figures and legendary designers of the past profiled, but lesser-known individuals and newcomers worth watching are included as well. Also included are the interesting nonconformists--free spirits who prefer to work off the main fashion path. The picture would not be complete without the style-makers, those with an instinct and an eye for fashion, who interpret it for the public: the editors, photographers, and artists"--