Advanced Style [Hardcover]

Ari Seth Cohen (Author, Photographer), Maira Kalman (Introduction), Dita Von Teese (Contributor)

Book Description

Release date: May 22, 2012

Advanced Style is Ari Seth Cohen’s blog-based ode to the confidence, beauty, and fashion that can only be achieved through the experience of a life lived glamorously. It is a collection of street fashion unlike any seen before—focused on the over-60 set in the world’s most stylish locales. The (mostly) ladies of Advanced Style are enjoying their later years with grace and panache, marching to the beat of their own drummer. These timeless images and words of wisdom provide fashion inspiration for all ages and prove that age is nothing but a state of mind.

Ari Seth Cohen started his blog inspired by his own grandmother’s unique personal style and his lifelong interest in the put-together fashion of vibrant seniors. Each of his subjects sparkles like a diamond after long years spent refining and perfecting their individual look and approach to life. The Advanced Style book will showcase, in luscious full-color, the best of the blog, but will also act as a true guidebook with all-new material featuring wardrobes, interviews, stories, and advice from a cadre of his most chic subjects, along with a large selection of never-before-seen photography—fresh off of sidewalk catwalks around the world!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In print and on film, Mr. Cohen’s arrestingly bedizened models embrace fashion with a sense of play."
Ruth LaFerla, The New York Times

"For all those who are sick and tired of seeing style and fashion presented solely as a young woman’s game, behold 'Advanced Style.'"
Los Angeles Times

"a beautiful catalog of women who aren't over the hill, but rather ahead of the curve."
New York Post

"Advanced Style likely owes its rapid ascent in part to the dearth of attention paid anyone over 30 in popular culture. How the opportunity was missed is anyone’s guess: According to 2010 census estimates, Americans 65 and older constitute 13 percent of the population. Those 45 and over — still two to three times the age of most female models — constitute more than 39 percent." New York Times

“'The women who I photograph are confident. They know what they like, they know what suits their bodies, and they’re dressing for themselves. They don’t dress based on trends.'" Ari Seth Cohen, New York Times

“These gorgeous ladies take away the fear of aging and give us all something to look forward to.” Huffington Post

“These women are proof that personal style advances with age”
StyleList

“I was best friends with my grandmother growing up, and was always inspired by her energy and wisdom. I wanted to show that creativity, style, and vitality advance with age, and hopefully help change people’s ideas about getting older.”
Ari Seth Cohen, StyleCaster

About the Author

Ari Seth Cohen is a freelance writer, photographer, and blogger based in New York City. He is the creator of Advanced Style, a blog devoted “to capturing the sartorial savvy of the senior set.” Advanced Style has appeared in national media such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, Vice Magazine, New York Magazine, The Fader, Vogue Japan, Vogue Italia, Elle, Elle UK, The UK Telegraph, Forbes.com, and internationally broadcast news and fashion programs.

Maira Kalman is an author and illustrator of over a dozen children’s books. Additionally, her two yearlong, illustrated columns for The New York Times online have been published as the books The Principles of Uncertainty (Penguin, 2007), and And the Pursuit of Happiness (Penguin, 2010). In 2011 a retrospective of her work was mounted at the Jewish Museum in NYC. She is represented by the Julie Saul Gallery, and lives and works in New York City.

Dita Von Teese is a world-famous burlesque artist and lingerie model. Best known for her Cocktail Glass show in which she performs an old fashioned striptease that culminates with her bathing herself in an oversized champagne or martini glass. This “Burlesque Superheroine" (Vanity Fair) is credited by many for sparking a revival of traditional burlesque, and has appeared in a number of films, music videos, and television shows. Von Teese has released DVDs of her own performances and is the author of Dita: Stripteese (It Books, 2009).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: powerHouse Books; 1 edition (May 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157687592X
• ISBN-13: 978-1576875926
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 1.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Lifestyle & Events
  • #6 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Fashion
  • #21 in Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Commercial > Fashion Design

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 132 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ohhhh, God bless this guy! May 22, 2012

By Yennta

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm '71. I find that with age I've become invisible. I've always loved clothes and accessories, frequent great thrift shops, adore colors. Ari Seth Cohen has given me a peer group and mentors to admire. I was about to send a cowboy shirt I've never worn back to the thrift shop when I found his site (and Sziporah Salamon's sp? at the same time.) Instead I wore it out to dinner and was complimented and felt terrific. They can't ease us out, if we stand out and stand up for color and glamor and creativity! Thanks thanks for this inspiring book.

81 of 83 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A lot of us have waited a long time for a book like this. May 23, 2012

By moi surtout

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Finally, a book that celebrates the poise and vivacity of women who have spent decades refining their personal style! This is one of the better `book of the blog' types that I've received, but you certainly don't need to be familiar with the Advanced Style blog to enjoy the book. The women in this book look amazing, and I don't mean `for their age', I mean just totally amazing in general. I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be the freshest and most inspiring fashion book of 2012.

This book is 98% photos, page after page of lovely women wearing the most beautifully put together outfits. There's a range of looks from quintessential elegance to total bohemian. What's striking is how much of the wearer's personality shines through. Usually when I look at street snaps, I'm focused on the clothes and haven't got much interest in the wearer. But the women in this book seem like they'd be good for conversation over a cup of tea. I wish I knew more about them, what their homes look like or what paths their lives took that made them get through the years and looking more vibrant and beautiful than woman half their age.

The book itself is somewhat small for a photo book but thick and printed on good heavy paper with a nice sheen. The headings are set in a typeface that can be hard to read, but those with imperfect sight will be pleased to see that most type has been set quite large for easy reading. Overall it's an easy book to look through.

Personally, I've never been a very conservative dresser. When I was younger, people would tell me, `wear that while you can,' meaning that one day I'd be working in a cubicle somewhere in a navy suit with pantyhose and 2" pumps.... Now in my 30s I find myself looking for style inspiration from women my age or older who aren't content to spend the rest of their lives shopping at LL Bean. Am I supposed to give up on personal style now that I'm all grown up? I didn't think so, but having this book of concrete examples to the contrary is certainly an inspiration.

Unlike most fashion books, this one will make you feel good about getting older. This book would make a wonderful gift for anyone interested in fashion, young or old. Read more ›

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliance May 23, 2012

By Jennifever

Format:Hardcover

I am thrilled that this book exists. So many of my friends in their 60s are disappearing. They're not dying they are becoming paralysed with fear. Fearing to venture outside the square, the box, the house, the street, the suburb, fearing making a noise, fearing being noticed, fearing to make an impact. This book and the people in it have impact. They create impact by using themselves as the instrument. I love this book, and the blog and the people they introduce to us. The more people read them the more lives will change. Brilliance: AriSethCohen

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Looking forward to getting older... June 20, 2012

By Zarah

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book will make you appreciate old age and it will make you hang on to all your old clothes and hats (and your dead husband's hats too).

It has reminded me of my European upbringing where aging people do not fade away but are an elegant and gracious presences everywhere.

It also reminds me of my 96 year old mother in a German nursing home, who was dressed in nylons and a dress, complete with slip, every day. When I, the American, pointed out that it might be easier and more comfortable to dress her in a jogging suit, I was informed that the dignity of being well dressed increases the will to live which is very important to 96 year old ladies.

Thank you, Ari Seth Cohen, for noticing us.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars We really CAN be stylish AND old (at the same time!) May 24, 2012

By Barbara B.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I began a blog about older women, I searched and searched for images of mature ladies who were stylish, fashionable, independent, "authentic" and confident. They were harder to find than diamonds in a teacup. There just weren't very many -- even in stock image sites. Then, I discovered Ari Seth Cohen's Advanced Style site and found the role models I needed.

This book is more of the same thing you'll find on his blog site -- women who are beautiful (in a special way!) and stylish (and some, downright outlandish). The photos themselves are great, with none of the stupid "model" poses with pouty lips and ridiculous postures. These are exceptional women, but REAL women too. In truth, few of us will ever be able to pull off the type of style they do, but as I thumb through the book, I almost THINK I can, and that's what counts. I'm inspired and delighted by all of them.

The only slight disappointment I had (which prevented me from giving the book a full 5 stars) is that so many of the photos are ones already published on the site. Still, being able to have them all in a one beautiful book makes up for the repetition.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome ladies! June 23, 2012

By Discriminating Reader

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had to have this book after I saw the video. These women are inspirational! You may not like all of their individual tastes but they have to be celebrated for their spirit if nothing else. As someone who isn't getting any younger, I hope to be able to resist the urge to let myself become invisible. Hooray for Advanced Style! I hope it becomes a film.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars CREATIVE CREDIBILITY May 29, 2012

By nutritionista fashionista

Format:Hardcover

Advanced Style focuses on the credibility of a creative active lifestyle as expressed through personal style. This creativity enhances visablity, vitality and encourages others to step out and ENJOY. Be Brave and have some fun!
When we look good, we feel good...we feel good, we look good!