It’s usually rather difficult to find a fashion book that appeals to both children and grown ups: the former are usually not so interested in proper fashion books and may actually be tempted to start ripping out the pages of expensive books or colour in stylish black and white images; the latter, being passionate about extremely arty and, at times boring, thick volumes, may not be enthusiastic about "dress up your paper doll" activities.
Having maybe identified a gap in the market, Nina Chakrabarti came up with a book entitled My Wonderful World of Fashion (Laurence King, 2009) that has the potential of becoming a favourite among many fashionistas.
The Calcutta-born and London-based illustrator who studied at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, filled the pages of this reasonably sized volume with fashion inspired drawings and activities that the readers can complete.
The book features "join the dots" sketches that will reveal cute shades, blank pages on which the readers will be able to draw their favourite/most extravagant footwear, create intricate prints for textiles, dresses, tights or headscarves or design their favourite bag, hat, gloves and masks.
Through her drawings and illustrations, the author also gives practical suggestions to the readers on how to tie dye a T-shirt, customise a jacket with patches, beads and sequins or make button, safety pin and paperclip accessories.
You could argue that some of the suggestions are maybe a little bit too obvious, but you must remember that the book is also aimed at young readers who may want to try a few fashionable experiments and wear them as soon as possible.
Chakrabarti also pays homage to history with her own renditions of the best moments in fashion, from Elsa Schiaparelli’s shoe hat to Salvatore Ferragamo’s leather and cork ankle-strap multi-coloured platform sandal designed for Judy Garland in 1938, Hussein Chalayan's wood and metal corset, Tokio Kumagaï’s surreal flats inspired by Constantin Brâncuşi’s statue "The Kiss" and Marc Jacobs's mouse pumps.
Chakrabarti’s illustrations and activities – mainly based on object compositions and featuring intricate patterns created using pens, felt tips, pencils and inks (some of you may have already seen her illustrations on different magazines, book covers and adverts) – will keep busy many underage fashionistas while providing endless hours of fun to creative grown ups who feel fashionably childish at heart.
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Faboulous! I want it! 😀
Nice post. I really liked it.. Don’t forget to update it regularly. I am looking for new updates dying to read more stuff from you.
hey review solves almost all my problems !! thank you
Fantastic and inspirational posting. I love your blog and judging by the commentary you have a great list of followers. Will bookmark this site and keep updated..cheers!
Books are the bridge on many things, imagination, culture, knowledge and many other things. Debrie read a book become a habit for everyone!