The World According to Yves Saint Laurent by Jean-Christophe Napias and Patrick Mauriès - Published: Thames and Hudson Ltd - 2023-10-19 - 176 pages.
A stylish collection of legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent’s maxims on fashion, craft, women and inspiration, presented in an attractive gift format.
Founded by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1962, shortly after the young couturier left his post at the helm of Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent would soon become one of the most successful and influential haute couture houses in Paris. Introducing Le Smoking, the first tuxedo suit for women, in 1966, Saint Laurent also presented iconic art-inspired creations, from Mondrian dresses to precious Van Gogh embroidery and the famous Ballets Russes collection.
The designer put the women who wore his clothes first (‘What’s most important in couture is the body we dress, the woman we dress, more so than the ideas we might have’) and was determined to change attitudes of the era (‘Fashion’s purpose was not only to make a woman look beautiful, but also to reassure them and to give them confidence’). He could be critical of the fashion industry (‘I adore clothes but I hate fashion’) and saw himself as a craftsman who perfectly understood his customer (‘I think there are three kinds of designers. The big ones, the real ones, and those who know how to strike a chord with a woman just by making a very simple dress, or a very simple suit’).
Presented in a beautiful package and accessible format, The World According to Yves Saint Laurent is the perfect gift for fashion fans, capturing the essence of a true visionary.
Yoga for Stiff Birds by Marion Deuchars - Published: Thames and Hudson Ltd - 2023-03-02 - 80 pages.
Loosen up with a smile on your face...
Marion Deuchars has practiced yoga for many years, and well knows the benefits it brings. Now she shares that passion with her illustrated character Bob the Bird, whose expressive poses will charm you into a reviving session of yoga breathing, stretching, posing, and mindfulness.
Yoga for Stiff Birds rejects the clichés of studio photography in favour of a more immediate, inviting, look. With a few brush strokes Marion helps Bob into every position from the downward-facing dog to the tree; both useful and inspiring, her art will raise a smile, whether you’re a regular practitioner or a yoga novice, and will encourage even the creakiest reader to breathe, stretch, and bend like they never have before.
Byoung Cho: My Life as An Architect in Seoul by Byoung Cho - Published: Thames and Hudson Ltd - 2023-10-26 - 128 pages.
The second book in the 'My Life as an Architect' series, looking at the Seoul buildings that have shaped the practice and outlook of the celebrated Korean architect Byoung Cho.
Since founding his practice BCHO Architects Associates in Seoul in 1994, Byoung Cho has built a reputation as the key architect driving the expansion of one of the world’s most densely populated cities. Influenced by Korea’s rich aesthetic tradition, Cho utilizes understated forms to create serene buildings that yield powerful and subtle experiences for their inhabitants. His work focuses on seemingly simple structures and has a strong regard for nature and sustainability.
This companion to Kengo Kuma: My Life as an Architect in Tokyo presents twenty-nine portraits of the buildings and districts of Seoul that have most influenced Cho, from a 12th-century shrine to a 14-metre-square concrete box, and includes a number of his own designs. Lively texts are interspersed with the architect’s own drawings and elegant photographs printed with a coloured tint.
In mixing personal asides with architectural and historical detail, the book builds up a multi-layered picture of Seoul, and offers a unique insight into Cho’s architectural philosophy.
