The Looks of Love: 50 Moments in Fashion That Inspired Romance

Description

Hal Rubenstein, fashion authority, consultant, and author of the bestselling 100 Unforgettable Dresses, presents fifty of the most influential romantic moments in style from the 1930s to today, in this full-color collection that reveals each item's indelible place in the pantheons of fashion and popular culture. In The Looks of Love, Hal Rubenstein showcases seminal moments and events in television and film, on the runway and red carpet, and in social media that have changed the way we look at love, fashion, passion, romance, marriage, beauty, and style. From Alexander McQueen's stunning dance marathon collection inspired by the film They Shoot Horses Don't They to shoulder-pad-clad Krystle and Alexis Carrington's jealous catfights; from all eight of Elizabeth Taylor's wedding ensembles to Angelina Jolie's singular Versace wedding gown with a veil embroidered with her children's drawings, Rubenstein brings his impeccable eye, compelling voice, and impressive depth of knowledge to these iconic moments. Here, too are anecdotes and first-person commentary from more than a dozen world-class designers that offer fascinating insight into each "look." Spanning eras and media, combining more than 225 images and essays, The Looks of Love includes such innovative trendsetters as Humphrey Bogart's trench coat in Casablanca; Marc Jacobs's spectacularly romantic show for Louis Vuitton that featured models disembarking from a vintage steam train; Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" video; Versace's "Miami" collection; The romantic world of Ralph Lauren; the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor-Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson; The Summer of Love-Woodstock; Gene Kelly's sportswear in Singing in the Rain; DKNY advertising; and much more. Playful and profound, trendy and timeless, stylish and sophisticated, The Looks of Love illuminates our evolving culture and couture in fresh and startling way.

Hal Rubenstein is a writer, a designer, and one of the founding editors of InStyle magazine, where he served as fashion director for fifteen years. Rubenstein works privately with brands such as Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, Gabriel & Co., and American Express. The author of the bestselling Unforgettable Dresses (Harper Design), he has written for The New Yorker, New York magazine, Interview, Elle, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Details. He is a frequent red carpet commentator for The Today Show, Extra, and Access Hollywood. He lives in New York City.

"With his extraordinary background, Hal Rubenstein truly understands how clothes translate to the world of romance and love." -- Calvin Klein "Hal is a passionate observer of style, beauty, fashion, and culture with a singularly warm, funny, and always positive perspective. Life is always a lot more fun and a little sweeter for knowing him." -- Vera Wang "Hal has this keen awareness of how one element of pop culture instigates the other. And then with his impeccable eye, he captures the moment you will always remember." -- Courtney Love