For fans of fashion photography in general and Steven Meisel in particular, "Three Hundred And Seventeen And Counting" - a complete collection of all the covers Meisel has shot to date for Italian VOGUE - should be something to swoon over. The brainchild of Michel Mallard, former art director of VOGUE HOMME, and the organizer of the Hyeres Photo Festival, the book illustrates the extraordinary collaboration between the magazine and Meisel - who has shot every single cover since July 1988!
Launched in conjunction with a display of the covers at this year's Hyeres Festival, that's Mallard in the middle of the exhibition, above, and the book cover, below.
What's particularly interesting is the freedom given to Meisel to explore his own interests. Unlike American fashion magazines where the cover is an essential sales tool and the bigger and more timely the celebrity the better - Meisel's Italian covers play with all kinds of narrative references, are a place for him to promote his latest unknown discovery, are often obsessed with "twinning", and are frequently the opposite of what would be considered a good cover at American VOGUE. So there's much to analyze and enjoy. It's the visual beach read of the summer!
The book has a very limited run, but if you're interested, you can browse a little further and buy the book here.
9 comments:
"Twinning" is an awful word, but I like it.
I wish our magazine covers where half as interesting. Part of why I am down to one magazine subscription is because I am tired of seeing the same celebrities that are in the tabs and the various shows dedicated to celebrities!
That is soooo cooool!!!
He is such an amazingly creative artist. I love his photographs. This book may just have to be mine :) It looks absolutely fabulous!
Mr. Meisel is famously selective with who he lets publish his pictures and has never put together his own collection which is part of why this is so exciting. Italian Vogue is historically the coolest mag, always having the best photogs and most creative editorial. Its fallen off a bit the last few years but is still a must see for anyone in the biz or an interest and Steven is still far and away the most accomplished fashion lensman of his generation, or any since, hands down. I've heard about the book, its awesome, I cant wait to get a hold of it. Thanks!
Oh wow. Wonderful.
OH gosh. I would love to get my hands on this book!
I bought it and it's wonderful!!
Had no idea this book was available until I read your post! Just spent a whopping $106 to get it shipped to Ohio, but it will be SO WORTH IT!!
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