A PGH-er in NYC's Guide to Fashionable Books

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Monday, 06 December 2010 01:00

Written by Sarah Sudar

Some people are just plain hard to shop for -- it may seem like they have everything, or are extremely picky, or say that 'they really don't want or need anything this year.' With that being said, I feel that there's two kinds of presents that have yet to fail when it comes to these challenges: fashion books and fragrances.

I'll tackle some of my new favorite fragrances next week on Clutch. So for now, I give you some of my favorite fashion-oriented reads:

WWD 100 Years, 100 Designers ($65, Bridger Foley, forward). More than a coffee table tome, the beautiful imagery and limited text span 100 years of Women's Wear Daily's history featuring Cristobal Balenciaga, Gabrielle Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Oscar de la Renta, more.

Japan Fashion Now ($27, Valerie Steele). Based on the current exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, acclaimed fashion historian Valerie Steele delves into the significance and differentiation of contemporary Japanese fashion citing utilitarian inspiration such as workwear, sneakers and jeans, as well as various fashion tribes and influences such as costume play, lolita, gothic, punk, and deconstruction.

Luxury Online: Styles, Systems, Strategies ($34, Uche Okonkwo). Building on her initial book Luxury Fashion Branding, this text reads as an insightful business tool and insider's view on how luxury fashion brands can embrace the online platform and digital media.

The Thoughtful Dresser: The Art of Adornment, the Pleasures of Shopping, and Why Clothes Matter ($10.20, Linda Grant). We all have certain memories, associations, and affiliations that we tie to certain items we possess and brands, consciously and unconsciously. Via personal anecdotes, interviews, and assertions, Grant brings to the surface the roots of why we dress they way that we choose to do.

Julia DiNardo, a Pittsburgh native and New York City resident, has penned articles for a myriad of publications, including Clear, Redbook, GQ Magazines, The New York Sun, BagSnob.com, AOL's Stylelist.com, and RunningwithHeels.com. Her own site, FashionPulseDaily.com has been mentioned on NYTimes.com, Elle.com, and RackedLA.com. Julia also designs the Pittsburgh-based locally-printed t-shirt line Neighbor Teaze and is an adjunct professor at NYU's Gallatin School. When in Pittsburgh, Julia enjoys shopping in Lawrenceville and at 'Gabes', scavenging through vintage shops on Ellsworth Avenue, and eating the best Vietnamese food at Tram's on Penn Ave.

Thanks for the post Julia! I definitely need to pick up The Thoughtful Dresser. I always associate certain memories with my clothing and accessories, so I would love to read how others have as well... HM.. this now seems like a great idea for some blog posts...

Julia will be back on Clutch next Monday (Dec 13) to dish about her new favorite fragrances. Be sure to check back on Wednesday for another Clutch post!

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