From Alice to Zebra

Spin, Flip, Click

15 Apr

I have two books on style to review: A to Z of Style, compiled by Amy de la Haye and illustrated by Emma Farrarons (V&A Publishing, 2011) and What on Earth Are You Wearing – A Michipedia of Fashion, authored by Chloe Quigley and Daniel Pollock and illustrated by Kat Macleod (Penguin Viking, 2010). Both were published quite a while ago now, but I have recently reread them and was interested to note the vast difference between them.

Both of these books are illustrated and both are organised in alphabetical order; both of them carefully consider the importance of design and layout. They are both eminently easy to read, with bite-sized, easily digested chunks of text. Both of these books are clothbound, which is far more tactile and lovelier to hold and read than an average text, and each of them have convenient red satin placeholder ribbons.

One of these books is practical and informative and amuses at the same time. A font of logically categorised information is at one’s fingertips, with plenty of unexpected and thought-provoking entries and inspiration on every single page.

The other, while beautiful to look at and filled with gorgeous illustrations, is both exasperating in its haphazard organisation, enormous gaps and misinformation, and humour that is both unsophisticated and gratuitous apart from a few witty entries. This is a book only for those who already possess a wide base of fashion knowledge and who seek a momentary diversion when they have a few minutes to spare. This is not a book that will be of any use to a teenager needing some pointers in personal style, although it is more likely to appeal from a purely visual standpoint.

However I am not at all surprised by the silliness of the text, having years ago unsubscribed from the e-newsletter Michi Girl, on which this book is founded. The co-authors’ first book Like a Give a Frock is of far better quality in respect of the writing (the illustrations, also by Macleod are as superlative).

The editor of the first book, Amy de la Haye, is a Professor of Dress History and Curatorship so it is no wonder that her book is erudite and must gain respect as an authority on the subject matter. In the introduction she states:

‘The quotations and definitions cited and fully referenced within this ‘quotationary’ are drawn from non-fiction sources; mostly auto-biographies by fashion designers and texts authored by their clients, fashion commentators and authorities on correct etiqette. The statements date from post 1850, the period which laid the foundations of today’s global fashion industry, and they define fashion as it relates to women.’

I would recommend to anyone interested in fashion and its history, in style and etiquette, to purchase A to Z of Style – you will have not a single moment’s regret. What on Earth Are You Wearing is best for diehard readers of fashion style books (of which I am one), illustrators, or lovers of fashion illustration.

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