TFL Reads

THE TOWERING WORLD OF JIMMY CHOO: A Glamorous Story of Power, Profits, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Shoe

By journalist Lauren Goldstein Crowe & luxury industry analyst Sagra Maceira de Rosen

The book tells the behind-the-scenes story about this most extraordinary shoe brand. From humble beginnings designing out of his workshop in the East End of London for only exclusive clientele such as Princess Diana, Jimmy Choo was catapulted into the international fashion limelight by London socialite Tamara Mellon (then Yeardye), daughter of Tom Yeardye, who helped launch the Vidal Sassoon hair empire. A must read for anyone involved in the business of fashion.

Published by Bloomsbury
On sale date: April 29, 2009
Cost: $26

 

The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage details

By lifestyle journalist Stan Williams

“A lot of decorating books scare people,” says Stan Williams. “I want ‘The Find’ to be inspiration to anyone who wants to decorate. I want people to feel empowered to give it a shot themselves.” Well, if ‘The Find’ gives people the ability to make their apartments, houses, cottages & mansions look as amazing as the examples he shows in his book on how to go about finding treasure in other people’s castoffs, then this book is sure to become the end all of its genre.

This isn’t another simple “how to” title, however. As Williams told me, “it’s a personal journey & tells a story.” I have to agree, ‘The Find’ reads like a biography at times, but gives advice & tips, sometimes from the author himself & other times from luminaries in the field like Barney’s Simon Doonan & Alex Bandon of TV’s This Old House, but it never gets preachy. This book is brimming with unbelievably beautiful photographs, each one carefully captioned. While the looks inside the spaces of the various ‘decorators’ who granted full access their private lairs are wonderfully intimate, the most charming passages in the book came when Williams describes his love affair with his 1966 wooden Chris Craft boat, The Luxor. I grew up on a boat myself & I must admit, he had me waxing nostalgically of far more idyllic times. Trust me, you too will find your moment while perusing the 240 pages. High profile homes covered are 1950’s Palm Springs retreat of GQ’s Jim Moore, former Go-Go Jane Wiedlin’s LA mini-loft & the Greenwich Village apartment designer John Bartlett shares with master framer John Etsy, but it’s the homes of everyday people who have unbelievable style are the ones that set this title apart & give it the appeal to the book buying public.

www.TheElegantThrifter.com

Published by Clarkson Potter
On sale date: May 5th, 2009
Cost: $27.50

Council of Fashion Designers of America
American Fashion: Menswear

By fashion journalist Robert Bryan

The 3rd in the CFDA Series features America’s most coveted menswear designers. A gorgeous collector’s item for your coffee table. Note: Image is the 2nd in series (American Fashion Accessories).

Published by Assouline
On sale date: tentative Sept 2009
Cost: about $50