Valentino's Magic [Hardcover]

Marie Paule Pelle (Author), Patrick Mauries (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998

Known for his personal philosophy of impeccable taste, Valentino originated an aesthetic that continues to be an inspiration for fashion today. After leaving his hometown of Voghera at age 15, Valentino Garavani not only became the couturier he dreamed of being but came to define the very word. The legendary motifs of his designs organize this book into a visual symphony.

Stunning photographs illustrate his themes, featuring the most notable names in fashion photography -- Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, Steven Meisel, among others -- the most recognized models, including Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington, and the most famous of the glitterati, from Jacqueline Onassis to Elizabeth Taylor. Including more than 300 fashion sketches that date back to 1960, this comprehensive, beautiful book is a fitting tribute to the art of Valentino.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A loving portrait, sumptuously illustrated, of the life and work of Valentino, Valentino's Magic is a coffee table book that would be at home on the most elegant ormolu coffee tables of the world. -- Vogue, Australia, 3/99

A richly illustrated pictorial biography celebrates the life and career of the acclaimed Italian couturier, offering stunning photographs that document the motifs of his designs, a chronology of his fashion history, and a study of his most recent collection. -- Forecast, 1/99

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press; 2 Sub edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789204630
• ISBN-13: 978-0789204639
• Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 10 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,811,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lousy text, fabulous photos., October 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Valentino's Magic (Hardcover)

Buy this book for the pictures. The text is awful--it is poorly translated from another language (Italian, I suppose), and it's badly laid out, with the text split by photos and running to the far edges of the pages.

However, the text really doesn't matter. The photos are wonderful and cover every decade of Valentino's glorious career. Bows, polka dots, flowers; Sharon Stone, Marisa Berenson, Brooke Shields; lace, satin, chiffon... This is a beautiful book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great look into the working of Valentino, July 11, 2006

By 

S. Hurray "shurray" (DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Valentino's Magic (Hardcover)

Great photo process showing how Valentino has been developed over the years as a fashion house for glamourous people all over the world. Beautiful photos and a beautiful coffee table book that all your friends will enjoy.