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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
127 of 144 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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
A fine pick for any college-level fashion library or any fashion designer seeking creative insight
January 14, 2009
Format: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
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Most Recent Customer Reviews
glamorous
I'm old enough to have no deep interest in (and only vague recollection of) the Olsen twins from their Full House or tween made-for-VHS movie days. Read more
Published 9 months ago by A. Whitley
dont judge a book by it's cover
Ever since I seen Influence in Urban Outfitters I have always wanted to purchase it being a huge fan of Mary kate Olsen. Read more
Published 11 months ago by carolyn
Great Book
I bought this book for my little brother Tim who's a huge fan, huge fan of Mary Kate (he's in love with her ... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Tradeview
Marykate & Ashley!
I love them I watched them all the time and loved Full house, Two of a kind was good! as they grew up sadly they ended and i was so sad cause of all the scandal in 2006 but i... Read more
Published 20 months ago by kristen
Long time
It took almost three weeks untill I got the book. Order way before you need it.
Published on February 21, 2010 by Kamilla Ellefsen
Great introduction to fashion/art
I bought this book because I think the Olsens have great style, and was interested to see who they looked to for influence. Read more
Published on October 8, 2009 by ally
Great, fashionable read.
I really liked this book. Though I am not a huge fan of the twins, I do love their business savvy and their fashion sense. And they carry the best bags around, let's be honest. Read more
Published on September 24, 2009 by yabla
Very inspiring book
I found this book very inspiring. Lots of interviews and cool pictures of people in the fashion and art worlds, as well as interesting info about the Olsens and their own lives,... Read more
Published on May 1, 2009 by Joseph F. Fernandez
I liked it
Sweet book. now only if i stared working at 2 months, then i could afford to smooze with the big guys.
Published on March 23, 2009 by Racheal Simeone
a gem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that you are a fan of the Olsen twins or not, you'll love their book "Influence"!!!!
A great analysis of fashion and people who make it!! Read more
A great analysis of fashion and people who make it!! Read more
Published on March 17, 2009 by Sandra
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