Weekend: Books

dsumner — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:05:52 GMT

I have to admit to being a bit of book fiend. I just can’t walk past a bookshop without going in. I always seem to have a want list, and Christmas always gives me the excuse to go, sometimes literally, for larger volumes.

The first one is certainly the largest book I now own. It is certainly not bedtime reading material, and commands an entire desk for its reading.

The Le Corbusier book Le Grand is a massive volume in every sense of the word. It also presents a fantastic level of detail into the workings of one of the greatest design visionaries of the 20th Century. I am no book reviewer, but if you have any interest in Architecture or design, it really is worth a look.

I was also very lucky to pick up in LA a copy of Guy Bourdin beautiful two volume set – A Message For You. I love the photographic work of Guy Bourdin, he has never achieved the notoriety of many other famous photographers.

His work is so colorful and imaginative, full of narrative and intrigue. Its astonishing that the majority of the work was done in the 70s, without a hint of Photoshop.

The two other physically lighter volumes I picked up were:

Truman Capote- In Cold Blood

and the mind bending:

Michio Kaku – Physics of the Impossible.

Well you can’t say I don’t have diverse interests!, happy reading!

Haute couture and the Internet.

dsumner — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:31:14 GMT

Haute couture is a very demanding business. I find it a very interesting business. There are huge demands placed on creativity, technical excellence and customer experience. Earlier this year I visited the Victoria and Albert Museum and London and viewed the Golden Age of Couture exhibition.

With the advent of the Internet and an ever increasing global customer the base Couture house now have to reflect their brand online. For a number of years couture and luxury brands have struggled online, some even avoiding having a presence at all.

However Couture is starting to lead the way in the online world the site of Chanel is an excellent example of technology elegantly deployed.

The Art of the Possible : fashion

Weekend: Books

Haute couture and the Internet.