Influence [Hardcover]

Mary Kate Olsen (Author), Ashley Olsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 2008

Brand new book!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill; First Edition edition (October 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670073385
• ISBN-13: 978-0670073382
• ASIN: 159514210X
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 140 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars High on marketing, low on talent, October 29, 2008

By 

horace wimp (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Influence (Hardcover)

I'm torn on this. Let's start with the cover. It could be said that having two versions of the book, each with a different cover depending on which twin you end up with, is artistic. Since I am in the marketing business, I'll put that down to marketing - an attempt to make enthusiasts and collectors buy 2 copies (it works by the way, just look at the sales of magazine that do the same thing).

On the one hand this book contains some good insight into scions of the fashion world, but on the other hand it is yet another example of the efficient and admirable marketing machine that is the Olsen twins... yet it has very little of any substance that is built on their abilities or talent, and you start to wonder if they have any, other than the fact that they were born twins and cute. Without question they know how to market themselves and their product, and for that you have to admire them and their success, but when they stand next to the subjects of their interviews, what becomes very apparent is that they are not in that same class from an artistic and raw talent perspective, even though they are financially more successful than most of them. I think what the twins have managed to expose in this book is that they find themselves in a very privileged and fortunate position of power in the fashion industry because they have declared fashion their creative outlet through their Elizabeth & James line. They have access that many less fortunate, but far more talented purveyors of the craft, would kill for and as such they are able to parlay that into a book that seeks to elevate their credibility through association. Again, I give them credit in the marketing department for recognizing that their cutesy tween image is long past due and this book could give them a stepping stone to longer term credibility in an adjacent field to their acting alma mater.

Sure, the book will appeal to Olsen twin fans (and there are many of those), but it never really reveals anything about them and what they are going to do with the position of privilege and access that they have been given. So, they have received the "Influence" of an impressive cadre of iconoclasts, but now what are they going to do with it? This really should be categorized as a brand marketing text book rather than a coffee table fashion book.

All that being said, the book is interesting and worth a read, but there are many other books I'd spend the money on before this if I had a real interest in various aspects of fashion and those who define it. For Olsen twin fans, just buy it, and it probably won't disappoint.

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly fantastic, November 3, 2008

By 

Sarah "londoninpink" (Downingtown, PA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Influence (Hardcover)

So, I grew up with Mary Kate and Ashley, watched Full House and bought their movies. But, kids grow up. I outgrew them, they seemingly outgrew their targeted demographic and for anyone who paid attention to them, it was obvious.

Forward through their attempt at NYU to now. Ashley has all but dropped acting and now heads the Row, which is really fantastic. She has captured how to make couture lines wearable to the every day. She was the first person to put couture seams on a tee/tank. That's pretty remarkable for a now 22-year-old. Mary Kate is still acting (well) and does a good job with Elizabeth and James, their more affordable (though still expensive) line.

Basically, these are young women who grew up in fame, so their perspective on it is more jaded, deservedly. Moreover, they grew up admiring these people just like us, except they can actually afford them and go out with them. poor us.

Regardless, my point is these are girls that actually have a clue what they're talking about and they're asking questions that aren't entirely typical because they know how to dance around cliche questions. They've obviously been there.

There's a pretty heavy-handedness to Mary Kate's love of Warholian culture just in terms of who she interviews and the questions involved. Ashley, you can tell has more of a designer's appreciation for these people. She loves them like a wearer, but also can be considered a colleague, and I think that comes across from time to time.

If you have an interest in fashion, photography, the culture that surrounds that and you care about them in a way that you aren't looking for the next YSL biography, I'd definitely recommend this to you. Its a fantastic read and I think it really helps you get over the fact that these are the Olsen twins and now they're using their entity (read: influence) to prove their talent.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine pick for any college-level fashion library or any fashion designer seeking creative insight, January 14, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Influence (Hardcover)

Two actresses and designers provide a powerful blend of interviews with creative contemporary fashion visionaries with stunning black and white photos of same in INFLUENCE, charting the dreams and insights of such modern artists as Peter Beard, Francisco Costa, Lauren Hutton, and more. From artists promoting new brand name fashion lines to different approaches to fashion marketing challenges, INFLUENCE is a fine pick for any college-level fashion library or any fashion designer seeking creative insight.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch