I had the opportunity to view this book in the store and it is gorgeous. Gigantic glossy photographs, many of Ralph Lauren and his family. I was waiting for this book to come out because I am a huge Ralph Lauren fan. That said, in my mind, I sort of thought this book would dissect his fashions over the past four decades. While his styles have the reputation of being timeless, the designer certainly has evolved and a book that started with his ties to his initial designs, perhaps examples of the tweed jacket he bought for his wife, etc. then moving to the polos, Blue and Black Label, Home and lifestyle, that would have made a fantastic book. This is not quite a book on the evolution of Ralph Lauren designs over the past four decades. This is more a collection of very beautiful photographs and some editorial. It is beautiful, no question. But had I purchased it sight unseen, I would have been expecting a different book, a forty year retrospective, with initial designs, runway, retail versions, fabrics, British lifestyle influences, etc. Ralph Lauren
First....This is an AWESOME book. No doubt about it. It is HUGE. It weights 14 1/2 pounds!!! It is really beautiful. The photos are just what you'd expect from Mr. Ralph. Sweeping, grand and elegant. There are over 700 photos..Large and small. Not a lot of text but enough to keep you well wrapped up.
BUT....Well...Really 2 buts....I am a HUGE fan of Lauren's western vintage inspired line of clothing called "RRL" or "Double RL". Have been since 1993. Was a little let down that there are only about 8 pics related to this line which Ralph admits many many times is his true passion and love in his vast empire of styles and brands.
On the upside...There are LOTS of photos from the first western collection in 1979 that was really the groundbreaking for all his RRL and Western/Roughwear/Santa Fe collections since. Many not seen in some 25 years. AA++ on that.
SECOND BUT....There are little to NO STORE photos. Inside or out of the shops. In my humble opinion...This is about 75% of Lauren's pure gift. HIS STORES!! There are unlike any other stores in the world!! Th sheer scope that each store has..It's own style depending on it's location, the accents, the style direction, etc. You can spend hours just wondering through his stores in awe. MAJOR minus in this book. DDD---
Upside again....There are many many photos NEVER published before. Most from early ad spreads. Lauren's early ads were often 15 to 20 magazine pages long...Like mini movies. Remember them all quite well from my early adulthood. Very nice to see new/old images. AAA+++
OVERALL...Excellent book. We all know Lauren could have (without any effort due to the wealth of material to draw from) split this book up into 3 or 4 or even 5 volumes. His life, the stores, the ads, the designs...hell....even the millions of dogs just used in his ads alone could fill a 200+ page coffee table book. I guess to totally cover all the Lauren aspects, you'd need a 30 pound book!
If you and Mr Ralph are very very close friends. You will WANT this book. Well worth the hefty price. Thanks Mr. Ralph for 40 years of letting us live our movies with you as the director, scripter and set designer. GREAT RIDE!!
P.S. You will need a REALLY BIG and REALLY strong coffee table for this book. Take my word.
An abundant feast- a gluttonous selection of images beautifully bound- This will not dissapoint hard core fans and will thrill those poor readers who haven't joined the cult -yet. Printed in Italy by Rizzoli you'd better have your chauffeur pick you up when you tote this baby - it is a whopping 14.6 lbs of paper and ink.
The accompanying text is simple, elegant and sincere, page 29 "Personal style is about having a sense of yourself and of what you believe in , which is basically self-confidence.When you have that confidence you can wear whatever you want and project something personal about who you are and what you feel.Dressing,then,can be an adventure.You can dress for the role you are playing on a particular day."
The premier American designer and virtual pioneer of the global classic american lifestyle brand(ing) exemplifies American ideals of freedom / paradox by explaining that it is after all about belonging AND being an individual...I surrender!
There are tons of pictures black and white and color, chronicling the product and RL lifestyle, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the label.It's a great book to have.
I previewed this book at the bookstore as well and I can't wait to purchase it! I'm a thrift store type of person, so I am saving up for a copy:)
What a totally beautiful book! I noticed people made barbed comments about Mr. Lauren having so many pictures of himself - and I say why not? To me, nobody wears a cowboy hat quite like Ralph Lauren - or wears his clothes as well - he is the best advertisement of his product there is. He has beautiful eyes and a real presence and he is just great to look at - and that goes for his wife and children also! It's fun to escape to his world and I never tire of looking at the Ralph Lauren style.
I hope someday soon he comes out with a book on his stores, like another reader had suggested. I remember a library room that was done up for the holidays (in his New York store I believe) that I still think about - it was absolutely beautiful. To have a book full of his store "rooms" would be heaven!
Ralph Lauren is one of a kind and we are richer for it.
This was purchased as a gift and was a real winner. The book is masterfully done and the quality is far above average. If you are into Mr. lauren's products or high fashion, you will not be disappointed. However, your house guests may become captivated during their visit and ignore you...great item to have and worth the money. - Decorating - Style - Fashion - Fashion History'
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