Book: Fashion Statements

I recently finished reading the book Fashion Statements by Francesca Alfano Miglietti.

The book is a collection of interviews with fashion designers originally for the review Virus (later Virus Mutations). It focuses mostly on the idea of mutations, and the interrelation between fashion and art, though the contexts are quite diverse.

While it was not completely in line with my interests (what book truly is?), it was a very interesting read, and I did get a lot out of it (ideas I’ll be blogging about in the coming days).

The interviewees within are certainly decorated, important figures in the fashion and art worlds, and reading their perspectives is interesting enough. Further, a few of the designers and artists touch on interesting philosophies of what fashion is, what it’s purpose and direction should be.

While often quite engaging, sometimes the interviews get bogged down in meaningless banter, but more often they are full of very abstract, lofty philosophical jargon (which seems to mean just as little). A sense of pretentiousness and artistic elitism is certainly felt in some of the pieces.

Another plus is the gorgeous set of photographs. The book does not skimp on examples, and most are extremely high quality images.

Thus, if the text fits your interests, I certainly recommend it. For the most part it is an excellent read and doesn’t hold back.

-Barry