glamour

by

Post Script: Vogue Colouring Book – Iain R Webb

Cover Vogue Colouring Book

Vogue Colouring Book

Vogue & Iain R Webb

Hachette Australia

OctopusBooks

ISBN: 9781840917215

 

Description:

Editor’s Choice – The Bookseller

 

This, the first colouring book from British VOGUE, has been created by award-winning writer, fashion editor, curator and Royal College of Art Professor, Iain R Webb. Celebrating the centenary of British VOGUE, these hand-drawn artworks are inspired by iconic images from the magazine in the 1950s – an era of hats and matching gloves, haughty elegance and hourglass silhouettes (a period that continues to inspire contemporary designers including Miuccia Prada and Dolce & Gabbana). The book features a glamorous dream wardrobe of luxurious ball gowns and soigne cocktail dresses, smart suits and dramatic accessories by key designers including Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Chanel. The accompanying captions offer fashion and style tips (often highly amusing in hindsight) and are taken from the original pages of British VOGUE. The c90 artworks can be coloured in in the spirit of the original images that inspired them or embellished with whatever colours and patterns take the reader’s fancy. The colouring book is the perfect present for all those who love vintage fashion and will be published in time for VOGUE’s centenary celebrations in 2016, which begin with a major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

 

 

My View:

Elegant, glamourous and so fashionable! Take a trip down memory lane and discover fashion from British Vogue’s 1950s style icons. Reminisce or become inspired as you colour your way through this remarkable book of fashion history. A great present for yourself – or that hard to buy for fashion conscious person, add a tin of coloured pencils and you have the perfect Christmas gift.

 

by

Post Script: Close Up – Kate Forster

A great story that brought a tear to my eyes.

Close Up, Kate Forster

Close Up

Kate Forster

Michael Joseph

Penguin Books

ISBN: 9781921901638

 

Description:

A racy, romantic, escapist story filled with glamour and heart and set in the movie world of Hollywood, by the author of Seduction and The Perfect Location.

In Hollywood, not everyone is ready for their close up, especially when it exposes the secrets of past …

Zoe Greene manages the careers of Hollywood’s biggest stars. She’ll do anything to help them – and herself – get ahead.

Actress Maggie Hall has been America’s sweetheart for nearly twenty years. And she’s about to learn that there are two things in life you just can’t fight: growing older and falling in love.

Dylan Mercer – young, beautiful and defiant – has run away from New York to try her luck in Hollywood. She’s not after fame and fortune, though. Dylan’s on a quest to find her birth mother.

All three women are swept up in the search for the actress who will score the role of a lifetime. But ambition and desire can bring out the worst in people. And in a town built on illusions, believing you can escape your past might just be the biggest illusion of all.

My View:

They say you should never judge a book by its cover – and how true this proved to be.  Something about the cover just made me think in stereo types; of trashy romance novels. But this book was anything but a trashy romance – this was a skilfully written narrative filled with interesting well fleshed out characters, it has some interesting plot twists and turns, great settings  painted in vivid colours, a bit of romance and a great story about female friendship.  I have had such a friendship – a friend from my first days of high school – Darlene if you are reading this – it is time we picked up the phone, it has been too long. J

This narrative talked to me about my work life – no I don’t work in Hollywood but I do work in film and TV in Australia – and it is not a glamorous business. It is cruel, mostly thankless and competitive. The playing field is not even.  These elements it shares with Hollywood.But enough of that – you will discover all and more when you read this book for yourself.

In all, a very well written story, engaging characters, strong female protagonists, a great story of enduring friendship and lessons about love and the scenes with the dog (no spoilers here) brought a tear to my eye.  Kate Forster is a great Australian writer.