Rock Style: A Book of Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Punk, Funk and the Fashions That Give Looks to Those Sounds [Hardcover]

Tommy Hilfiger (Author), Anthony Decurtis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000

Rock & roll is about sensual transcendence--about uproarious sounds and incredible visual drama. As the lights come up and the band hits the stage, the first impression is of what the musicians are playing--and what they're wearing. Now, from Tommy Hilfiger, the fashion designer most embraced by popular musicians in the 1990s comes this compelling revue of rock style--the clothes musicians have worn for the stage and camera and for sheer, outrageous fun--from the 1950s to right now.

From the patched jeans and fringe leather of Neil Young to the chameleonlike transformations of David Bowie, the looks musicians have defined for themselves is as integral a part of their message and artistic identity as their music.

Drawing on an assembly of brilliant, many rarely seen images from rock's best photographers, Hilfiger (working with renowned music journalist Anthony DeCurtis) guides readers through the wild visual world of artists whose sartorial coolness has defined what's hip. Focusing on the icons of rock, hip-hop, pop and R&B who have daringly pushed the edges of fashion and set trends--icons like Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Madonna and Prince--Hilfiger offers unique insights and sharp anecdotes to tell the ongoing, ever-evolving story of rock style.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tommy Hilfiger began his career in the late 1960s selling incense and bell bottoms in Elmira, New York, not far from Woodstock. He spent the 1970s following the nightlife scene in New York. Since the 1980s his clothing designs have defined popular street style in America. His first book, All American: A Style Book, was published by Universe in 1997.

Anthony DeCurtis is the author of Rocking My Life Away: Writing About Music and Other Matters and the editor of Present Tense: Rock and Roll and Culture. His previous books also include The Rolling Stone Album Guide and The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll, for which he was the coeditor.

Richard Martin is the Curator of the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; James Henke is Vice President of Exhibitions and Curatorial Affairs at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Universe (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789303833
• ISBN-13: 978-0789303837
• Product Dimensions: 16.2 x 12.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,649,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not complete, January 26, 2000

By 

"athurman" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rock Style: A Book of Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Punk, Funk and the Fashions That Give Looks to Those Sounds (Hardcover)

First the positives: This book is very large format so the pictures are extremely clear and details are very easy to see. This book covers everything from the early 50s through the present day, with especial focus on the bigger names (and thus, most influential trend-setters) like the Beatles, Elvis, and Madonna. The reason I do not give this book the full 5 stars is because I think it leaves out some crucial (if less well known) musicians/looks (the gothic style of the Cure and Siouxsie Sioux, early hip-hop look of Salt & Pepa, and the '90's club stylings of Bjork and Lady Miss Kier of Dee-Lite, to list some examples) and because it doesnt go very far in depth into the fact that some musical styles eschew any claims to fashion whatsoever (the chapter on grunge being the sole exception). A good intro with large fabulous photos but supplement with "Street Style" or "Style Surfing" by Ted Polhemus for more detail.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Big on Style, Smaller on Substance, March 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Rock Style: A Book of Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Punk, Funk and the Fashions That Give Looks to Those Sounds (Hardcover)

Let me start off by saying this book is beautiful. Big in size, full-color pictures; it would look fantastic on any coffee table. I am assuming that that was the real purpose for publishing this book. The text leaves much to be desired, however. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for the way things are in order in the book. And no reason why a single band like the Stones gets twelve pages while an entire genre like Funk gets a measley two. Lenny Kravitz alone even got four! This leads me to believe that at least part of the reason for this book is to be a promo vehicle for the designer himself (Hilfiger outfitted both The Stones and Kravitz on their previous tours). So if what you're looking for is a pretty book for your living room, this is it. If you're look for something because you want to learn, check out "Rock Fashion" by Joshua Sims.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars not so hot, July 14, 2001

By 

Peter Justin (Modesto, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rock Style: A Book of Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Punk, Funk and the Fashions That Give Looks to Those Sounds (Hardcover)

Hmm. This book has some great pix, though none which haven't been published before. But it's a real confusing mish-mash trying to cover shoes say from rock and roll t glitter rock so that you have no idea what the context is.

The other thing is that the writing appears a real rush job. There are some really grave errors - Johnny Rotten was never arrested for wearing one of the controversial Sex shop t-shirts and the correct spelling of the man who founded Carnaby street is John Stephen, not John Steven. May seem a bit anal I know but if you're going to cover this subject, at least pay attention.

All in all a bit of an embrassment for Josh Sims who I think works at The Face.