Icongraphics – Chanel And McQueen

There are some beautiful new books out there for fashion lovers, looking at designers Alexander McQueen and Coco Chanel in a completely different way. The two iconic designers are the latest subjects in the Icongraphics hardback book series from Gemini Books. This is a fabulous collection that gives us the stories behind cultural legends, brought to life through contemporary graphic novels.

Depicting the lives, achievements and defining moments of cultural legends, the Icongraphics offer a a fresh perspective on extraordinary journeys.

The Icongraphics series is wonderful in so many ways. It encourages those who don’t consider themselves to be readers to actually pick up a book, whilst those who have never considered looking at a graphic novel may have their mind changed by the subjects of these books, which take in pop stars like Taylor Swift and David Bowie, as well as sports and fashion stars.

Icongraphics Alexander McQueen

If ever there was a designer who was made to be celebrated in a fashion book, it was the late maverick Lee (Alexander) McQueen. The label he created continues to grow. but it is in those early, dramatic collections that his legend was made, controversial, visceral collections like ‘Highland Rape’. His patronage by the equally tragic Isabella Blow, and ultimately, his untimely shocking death mean that McQueen is now frozen in time, but his punky, edgy aesthetics mean that he feels strangely up to date and current.

The book maps all these highs and lows in a vibrant yet stark visual form by Linda Stefani. It starts with a forward by the author Balthazar Pagani, and then launches into the striking visual graphic chapters. Fellow icons like Kate Moss and Anna Wintour are featured, and the story is told in a taut way that is perfect for those who just want the details, not the filler.

This is an absolute must for those who loved the tortured genius that was Alexander McQueen.

Icongraphics Chanel

Chanel is the polar opposite to McQueen, at first glance. She lived a long life and her clothes were classic, elegant and timeless. Yet she was also a maverick, putting women in trousers, making the classic black dress something aside from mourning wear, and giving us so many of the styles we still wear today, from Breton style stripes to fabulous quilted handbags with gold chain straps.

This book is beautiful, the illustrations by Federica De Fazio are softer and more elegant than those in the McQueen book. I love that the style of Chanel is mainly illustrated by showing Chanel wearing her designs – she was always the best advert for the House of Chanel. Again we are given an introductory chapter by author Carola Di Giovanni before we launch into the graphic trail. One of the features I love about this book is that the chapters are organised by style icons – Channel No 5 and the Little Black Dress for instance.

This is a beautiful book that I truly loved.

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