The Looks of Love: 50 Moments in Fashion That Inspired Romance - Hardcover

Rubenstein, Hal

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062279696 ISBN 13: 9780062279699

Publisher: Harper Design, 2015

Synopsis

Hal Rubenstein, fashion authority, consultant, and author of the bestselling 100 Unforgettable Dresses, presents fifty of the most influential romantic moments in style from the 1930s to today, in this full-color collection that reveals each item's indelible place in the pantheons of fashion and popular culture.

In The Looks of Love, Hal Rubenstein showcases seminal moments and events in television and film, on the runway and red carpet, and in social media that have changed the way we look at love, fashion, passion, romance, marriage, beauty, and style. From Alexander McQueen’s stunning dance marathon collection inspired by the film They Shoot Horses Don’t They? to shoulder-pad-clad Krystle and Alexis Carrington’s jealous catfights; from all eight of Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding ensembles to Angelina Jolie’s singular Versace wedding gown with a veil embroidered with her children’s drawings, Rubenstein brings his impeccable eye, compelling voice, and impressive depth of knowledge to these iconic moments. Here, too are anecdotes and first-person commentary from more than a dozen world-class designers that offer fascinating insight into each “look.”

Spanning eras and media, combining more than 225 images and essays, The Looks of Love includes such innovative trendsetters as Humphrey Bogart’s trench coat in Casablanca; Marc Jacobs’s spectacularly romantic show for Louis Vuitton that featured models disembarking from a vintage steam train; Beyoncé’s “All the Single Ladies” video; Versace’s “Miami” collection; The romantic world of Ralph Lauren; the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor—Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson; The Summer of Love—Woodstock; Gene Kelly’s sportswear in Singing in the Rain; DKNY advertising; and much more.

Playful and profound, trendy and timeless, stylish and sophisticated, The Looks of Love illuminates our evolving culture and couture in fresh and startling way. 

About this title

Review:

“With his extraordinary background, Hal Rubenstein truly understands how clothes translate to the world of romance and love.” (Calvin Klein)

“Hal is a passionate observer of style, beauty, fashion, and culture with a singularly warm, funny, and always positive perspective. Life is always a lot more fun and a little sweeter for knowing him.” (Vera Wang)

“Hal has this keen awareness of how one element of pop culture instigates the other. And then with his impeccable eye, he captures the moment you will always remember.” (Courtney Love)

From the Back Cover:

Hal Rubenstein, author of the bestselling 100 Unforgettable Dresses, explores the union of love and fashion in fifty fully illustrated, entertaining stories highlighting landmark moments in style.

This gorgeous anthology examines the marriage of love and style in fashion, film and television, music, politics and royalty, and advertising in contemporary culture. From extraordinary runway shows like Alexander McQueen's stunning dance-marathon presentation inspired by the film They Shoot Horses, Don't They? to shoulder-pad-clad Krystle and Alexis Carrington's jealous catfights on Dynasty, from all eight of Elizabeth Taylor's wedding ensembles to the gleaming, entwined nude bodies in Calvin Klein's first ad campaign for Obsession, every entry addresses the concept and entertaining backstory of each significant stop along our cultural timeline, elaborating on its influences and design details as well as its contribution to fashion and sway in popular culture. Rubenstein also includes stories and quotations from more than a dozen world-class designers and commercial artisans interviewed especially for the book.

Travel to Paris to experience some of the greatest fashion shows in history, including Marc Jacobs's Louis Vuitton Express and John Galliano's extravaganza for Christian Dior at the Palais Garnier. Discover the secrets about the making of director Baz Luhrmann's $30 million short film for Chanel No 5, starring Nicole Kidman. Go behind the scenes in Vera Wang's studio to learn the real story of the unforgettable yellow gown Michelle Williams wore to the Academy Awards, when she and Heath Ledger were Hollywood's "It" couple. Examine the world's ongoing romance with James Dean and his black motorcycle jacket, how Doris Day's sex comedies made her a pioneer of women's liberation, and why Woodstock lives on in bohemian style.

With its delightful anecdotes, captivating facts, insider's perspective on fashion, and lots of pop-culture dish, The Looks of Love is an informative, entertaining read for anyone who loves fashion, film and music, celebrity, and a tug or two at the heart.

With 225 full-color and black-and-white photographs

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Design
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0062279696
• ISBN 13: 9780062279699
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256