CURRENT READING: THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN AND COUNTING: COVERS FOR VOGUE ITALIA 1988-2009: STEVEN MEISEL : MALLARD JANVIER

Its gag-worthy

"The freedom that Steven Meisel enjoys on Italian Vogue is exceptional , as is the length of the collaboration and its systematic nature, both unprecedented in the field. A quick look at the covers of US Vogue created by Meisel is enough to convince: one sees the same girls but there is no hint of a story nor shadow of a meaning."

From the intro of " Three Hundred And Seventeen And Counting"

TI was very happy to nab an advance copy of this tome from Louie at Women since a Meisel book is a rare enough event and "Three Hundred And Counting" is a pretty safe bet to acquire collector's item status. But to rifle through 317 sequential Vogue Italia covers was more of a fashionhead joy than expected . You can really put Meisel's complete dedication to his perfectly quality controlled idea of glamour in perspective. The book is a feast of said glamour , high femininity and 20 years of cutting edge fashion. Not to mention a fun chronicle of the long series of girls both iconic and fleeting who have been VI cover girls. TI had a good giggle reading the credits too of all those stylists, make-up artists and hairstylists that have pitched their tents in that VI cover camp. And boy, is that pull quote from the intro text spicy.

Double spread from "Three Hundred And Seventeen And Counting": Steven Meisel

Double spread from "Three Hundred And Seventeen And Counting": Steven Meisel

Double spread from "Three Hundred And Seventeen And Counting": Steven Meisel