Fashion trends may be ever-evolving, but the art of dressing up is a timeless affair. From investing wisely in flattering pieces that transcend the seasons to accentuating one's personality with the right accessories, curating the perfect wardrobe can be a lifelong quest worth pursuing for those who enjoy expressing themselves in style. Drawing from his years of experience honed through commissions for iconic brands around the world, Mr. Slowboy presents his Portraits of the Modern Gentleman in a variety of delightful illustrations that inspire with their sense of individuality and effortlessness. His first-ever book release features the best of his commercial and private work, his famous friends in the industry, as well as a sneak peek into his background to appeal to both sartorialists and artists alike.
The world today can be an infinitely better place. With the increasing amount of issues affecting us as a whole in recent years, such as the global health crises, environmental destruction, and socioeconomic disparities, the onus is on each and every one of us to do everything we can for the generations to come. Design has been -- and will always be -- our crucial tool in this regard. Whether it be through campaigns that rally for action, posters that raise awareness, or products that actually change bad habits, designers combine creativity, craft, and compelling visuals to materialize concepts that can effectively transform the way we live. Good by Design collates the best projects and insights to inspire not only those who wish to do good, but also hope for all in a better tomorrow.
The story of how Japan adopted and ultimately revived traditional American fashion Look closely at any typically "American" article of clothing these days, and you may be surprised to see a Japanese label inside. From high-end denim to oxford button-downs, Japanese designers have taken the classic American look—known as ametora, or "American traditional"—and turned it into a huge business for companies like Uniqlo, Kamakura Shirts, Evisu, and Kapital. This phenomenon is part of a long dialogue between Japanese and American fashion; in fact, many of the basic items and traditions of the modern American wardrobe are alive and well today thanks to the stewardship of Japanese consumers and fashion cognoscenti, who ritualized and preserved these American styles during periods when they were out of vogue in their native land. In Ametora, cultural historian W. David Marx traces the Japanese assimilation of American fashion over the past hundred and fifty years, showing how Japanese trendsetters and entrepreneurs mimicked, adapted, imported, and ultimately perfected American style, dramatically reshaping not only Japan's culture but also our own in the process.
One of the most well-known and influential autobiographies ever written, The Education of Henry Adams is told in the third person, as if its author were watching his own life unwind. It begins with his early life in Quincy, the family seat outside of Boston, and soon moves on to primary school, Harvard College, and beyond. He learns about the unpredictability of politics from statesmen and diplomats, and the newest discoveries in technology, science, history, and art from some of the most important thinkers and creators of the day. In essentially every case, Adams claims, his education and upbringing let him down, leaving him in the dark. But as the historian David S. Brown puts it, this is a “charade”: The Education’s “greatest irony is its claim to telling the story of its author’s ignorance, confusion, and misdirection.” Instead, Adams uses its “vigorous prose and confident assertions” to attack “the West after 1400.” For instance, industrialization and technology make Adams wonder “whether the American people knew where they were driving.” And in one famous chapter, “The Dynamo and the Virgin,” he contrasts the rise of electricity and the power it brings with the strength and resilience of religious belief in the Middle Ages. The grandson and great-grandson of two presidents and the son of a politician and diplomat who served under Lincoln as minister to Great Britain, Adams was born into immense privilege, as he knew well: “Probably no child, born in the year, held better cards than he.” After growing up a Boston Brahmin, he worked as a journalist, historian, and professor, moving in early middle age to Washington. Although Adams distributed a privately printed edition of a hundred copies of The Education for friends and family in 1907, it wasn’t published more widely until 1918, the year he died. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for biography in 1919, and in 1999 a Modern Library panel placed it first on its list of the best nonfiction books published in the twentieth century. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.
In C. L. R. James's classic Beyond a Boundary, the sport is cricket and the scene is the colonial West Indies. Always eloquent and provocative, James--the "black Plato," (as coined by the London Times)--shows us how, in the rituals of performance and conflict on the field, we are watching not just prowess but politics and psychology at play. Part memoir of a boyhood in a black colony (by one of the founding fathers of African nationalism), part passionate celebration of an unusual and unexpected game, Beyond a Boundary raises, in a warm and witty voice, serious questions about race, class, politics, and the facts of colonial oppression. Originally published in England in 1963 and in the United States twenty years later (Pantheon, 1983), this second American edition brings back into print this prophetic statement on race and sport in society.
There is something distinctly compelling about the vintage aesthetic. Brimming with charm and character, it often tells stories of a colourful past and showcases a level of craftsmanship that many creatives today still aspire to emulate. Retro designs also emanate a sense of comfort and warmth that is tinged with nostalgia. As testament to the adage that old is indeed gold, New Retro showcases a brilliant collection of work that is anything but outdated, featuring projects that not only draw inspiration from the good old days, but also merge seamlessly with contemporary influences and culture. First published in 2016, this 2021 rerelease - with additional projects and a special cover design - coincides with Victionary's 20th anniversary and is dedicated to the fans who have been requesting for its reprint ever since it went out of stock.
Come spend some time in Liz Climo's world! The artist and popular blogger returns with another collection of her comics--this time following the seasons with her most beloved characters. Fans love Liz Climo's charmingly funny animal kingdom, which was first featured in The Little World of Liz Climo and Lobster is the Best Medicine. Best Bear Ever! follows Bear and Rabbit, along with their other friends (including Otter, Sloth, Skunk, and Turtle), to commemorate special days throughout the year, while also embarking on fun adventures to celebrate the seasons. When you have good pals like these, any time of year can be the BEST EVER!
The best-selling PALETTE colour-themed series remains one of the most successful and sought-after references for designers around the world. In keeping with the ever-changing demands of creative practitioners today without losing the essence of the original series, these four fan favourites will now be repackaged and made more accessible under the PALETTE Mini series. Redesigned rather than reprinted for easier and more efficient reading and collecting, PALETTE Minis will be packed with style and substance like their predecessors; serving as the intriguing, instrumental, and timeless sources of inspiration that they have always been. Fluorescent colours are anything but subtle, and careful consideration needs to go into maximising their potential and purpose on visual communication work. From the latest brand identities to intriguing artistic pursuits, the 110 projects in Neon (Vol. 4) epitomise the thoughtful and dynamic play of light in bringing unique creative visions to life.
