Meredith Etherington-Smith

The Persistence of Memory

A provocative new biography of the master of surrealism and megalomaniac exhibitionism, drawing on much previously untapped material. Salvador Dali's often bizarre life is chronicled in an entertaining way, including his relationships with Garcia Lorca, Andre Breton, Luis Bunuel, and Gala. Photos.

A Biography of Dalí

Caroline Clifton-Mogg

From the reticules of the l8th Century to the mesh bags and chatelaines of the l9th century and from Japanese inro to the contemporary designs of the 20th Century, the history of the handbag is also the social history of the times in which these exquisite, beautifully designed models were created. Every major couturier in the early l920s, from Paul Poiret to Chanel and Vionnet to Schiaparelli created handbags to go with their outfits and The Secret History of The Handbag shows these creations accompanied by the fashion illustrations and fashion photographs of the time. Handbag designs were inspired by real women notably Grace Kelly and the famous Kelly bag as well as by events in the real world, such as Schiaparellis gas mask bag and in more recent times this tie-in with the famous and the photographed has grown every more important. Nowadays a handbag can be the foundation of fashion fortunes and certain designs, such as the Hermes Birkin are as famous in China as they are in the rue de la Paix.

The Secret History of the Handbag

Jeremy Pilcher

Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon, the Couturière "Lucile", and Elinor Glyn, Romantic Novelist

The "it" Girls

A Biography

Dali

In this lavishly illustrated book, the renowned London Gallerist David Gill reveals his personal perspective and influence on the world of design-art. He also presents the works of artists, sculptors, and designers he admires, champions, and nurtures, among them Barnaby Barford, Mattia Bonetti, the Campana brothers Zaha Hadid, Donald Judd, Jorge Pardo, Grayson Perry, and Fredrikson Stallard. In addition, the book features previously unseen photographs of his galleries and exhibitions, his own designs, his curated interiors, and other rare glimpses of the private collections and homes of renowned collectors with whom Gill has had relationships over a quarter of a century. It also includes photographs of his private collections in his own homes: a converted handbag factory south of the River Thames; the eighteenth-century Albany apartments in London's Mayfair, and his latest home, a restored palazzo in Valletta, the capital of Malta.

Designing Art

David Gill

Axel Vervoordt began his career as an art and antiques dealer in the late 1960s, when he meticulously renovated a narrow street with sixteen of the oldest houses in Antwerp. In 1986, his company moved to a castle near Antwerp. Axel Vervoordt's company grew rapidly in this castle and he became a major collector and decorator. The foundation of Vervoordt's style is his commitment to making the past a relevant part of today's design. By juxtaposing different works of art, gathered throughout space and time, a spontaneous dialogue between them is revealed, creating a new dimension for the future. Axel Vervoordt transcends the roles of decorator and collector. He understands the power of objects to conjure up an entirely new atmosphere and knows exactly where to place them to transform the space. This gorgeous book will be an inspiration to anyone interested in a home that is elegant and personal without being ostentatious or superfluous.

Meredith Etherington-Smith

Books

Your next favorite book is out there