A page from the Sex and the City book

Whether you’re a Sketchers fan or a Manolo devotee, chances are you’ve been tapping your toes in anticipation of Sex and the City film since the series’ TV finale flashed its last credit. But if you haven’t yet scored tickets to the ultimate chick-flick, better stay clear of the bookstore until you do: The corresponding Sex & The City tome, published by Harper Collins (which hits stores manana) is the glossiest, most detailed spoiler so far!

Featuring a scene-by-scene, storybook-style narrative of the film, the book includes several “bonus features” that take the reader behind the scenes with Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, and star and producer Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as other key cast and crew members. Plus, the back pages of this cosmopolitan Bible give a complete guide to the movie’s multi-million dollar fashion closet, including documentation of EVERY SINGLE outfit worn by Carrie and the gang. All the behind-the-scenes scoop is accompanied by hundreds of stunning, full-color images, making this book a beautiful keepsake that is sure to bring glitz and glamour to every reader’s bookshelf. Get yours on Amazon or enter below to win one! –Grace Daniel

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This was always my fear. While I came across Madame Chanel’s sage words only recently, the sentiment of it had always wafted around me, prompting a flash of insecurity when at cosmetic counters or around someone who had a particularly beguiling scent. Of course I, like so many other women, had my own perfume history (Age 14-16: Lagerfeld’s Sun, Moon, & Stars. Age 16-19: Gucci Rush. Age 20: Gucci Rush Summer Age 21-22: Dior Addict. Age 23: Dior Me Not.) but since my mid-twenties I had found it hard to be faithful to one scent. I had long thought this a grave testament about my nose, taste, and sense of self.

The only the worse than not having found your own perfect scent, I found out not long ago, is not knowing anything about perfumes–how they are made, how they are judged, and that there is a finely-attuned sub-set of connoisseurs who know an astonishing amount about both. I had the good misfortune of sitting in on a lunch with the New York Times scent critic Chandler Burr who, like his name implies, is a fascinating character. Burr was–after an interesting journey from earning his post-grad in Economics John Hopkins to writing a exhaustive piece on the perfume industry for The New Yorker–the Times’ first scent critic, and whose weekly pieces and previous books reaffirm his olfactory genius.

But I digress.

At the luncheon Burr spoke about his most recent book, The Perfect Scent, in which he spends a year inside the
perfume industry, behind the scenes on the Sarah Jessica Parker and Hermes perfumes. The year provided him with plenty of jet-setting experiences back and forth from New York to Paris, some celebrity interaction (SJP was involved in the making of her own scent; according to Burr, in the first meeting, she informed her perfume company that body odor was one of her favorite scents), and plenty of industry anecdotes.

If that doesn’t pique your interest, perhaps you’ll be entertained, as I was, by the kinds of unbelievable facts that the olfactory crowd already knows all about. For instance, were you aware that the best-selling perfume in the US (in 2003 that is) was Estee Lauder’s Beautiful? #2 was Clinique’s Happy, and #3 was Pleasures another one from Lauder. (Meanwhile in France, Chanel’s own #5 has remained at the top of the charts for 80 years. The woman knew about timeless style in–and for–every sense.)

Did you know that perfumes made with synthetic scents (and fyi, many are fashioned out of synthetics) are actually better because their simplified make-up actually decreases possibility of an allergic reaction? That cumin shares the same scent as human sweat? That indoles are the molecules that a corpse gives off and that these same molecules can be found in jasmine; both are considered feminine scents?

There are plenty of such scintillating facts embedded on every line of Burr’s latest book, as well as an intriguing story about the people, reasonings, and politics behind the making of a major perfume. But perhaps best of all, thanks to Burr’s straight-forward, smart approach to all, the reader can pick up ways in which to analyze and be educated about scents. For instance, Burr assesses Chanel’s CoCo Mademoiselle–the perfume I am currently flirting with–as possessing an “exquisite youthful sophistication.” It is a book that will entertain, enthrall, and endure–much like a good perfume.

Chandler Burr’s The Perfect Scent, available on Amazon

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M/M’s Stella McCartney ad campaign

To maintain your industry insider status, make sure to check out Alice Rawsthorn’s piece in the International Herald Tribune on graphic design firm M/M. The firm, helmed by Michael Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak, has long been a favorite among top-ranking fashion cognoscenti, responsible for recognizable Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh MatadinStella photo shoot as well as several high-profile ad campaigns. (Calvin, Stella, etc). Impress colleagues and cocktail party regulars by brushing up on their non-fashion related endeavors and booking a trip to Paris’s du Pompidou museum, where a selection of their work will be on view starting January 21.

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Buon Compleanno Costume National! The Italian house turns 21 this year, and to honor “the age of maturity,” CN head honcho Ennio Capasa whipped up a book with Assouline which features two decades of Capasa’s architectural innovations (shown on lean-limbed VIPS, che brava) as well as the designer’s own fashion photographs. Capasa feted the b-day book earlier this week at Costume National’s Soho store, which drew sartorial connoisseurs including William Dafoe, Max Minghella, and Alan Cumming. If you missed the fete—which was DJ’d by tireless industry darlings the MisShapes—take heart: The celebratory tome can be found in select bookstores (um, like Amazon ) and at Costume National stores worldwide.

Ennio Capasa & Alan Cumming

Max Minghella & Leigh Lezark

*Images Patrick McMullan/CN

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By now I’m sure you’re well aware of my opinion on leggings as pants, which has always been, and continues to be, a very solid Nay. The whole Oops-I-forgot-to-wear-trousers! look flatters about .0004% of the population. If you are in that miniscule subset, you should definitely stop wearing them because flaunting your membership card to the cool kids club is just so ’02.

Anyway, as was recently pointed out to me, apparently I’m not the only one who feels this way. A few of my fellow haters have founded the genius website Tightsarenotpants.com which outlines—with hilariously exquisite precision— the many cons associated with the style. Even better though, are the postcard-ready PDFs you can download to help spread the word about this important anti-tights movement. Do your part and check it out.

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Bazaar, Elle, & Vogue get a lot of well-deserved attention on the newsstand, but as many of you well know, there are plenty of smaller glossies that are just as—if not more—inspiring. In honor of Thanksgiving, we’re giving props to these chic, smaller-circ books who give us so many satisfying stories, shoots, and ideas. We skipped over the big guns——like Purple, Pop, and Visionaire—because we know you’ve already got them stockpiled and stashed under your bed. Here’s our list—compiled by our fantastic intern, Lucy, a FIT student who is far cooler than I was or sadly, will ever be—of the top 10 indie fashion magazines:

10
Christened 10—a bold, simple number that is recognizable in any language—the book has attracted a large international following. The 300+page publication is chock full of contemporary culture of every sort and for those who can’t be bothered to read the staff’s well-written pieces, it serves as a spell binding picture book that’s hard to put down.

A4
A recent winner of the Chimera Press Design Award , A4 cleverly connects street culture, high art, and fashion in a series of collage-like pictorials. The Polish book aims to promote young artists in all fields, and promote they do: Crisp and clear without being cold, their well-designed pages are highly memorable. (Bonus: Their online site isn’t too shabby either.

BON MAGAZINE

With so much high-quality fashion pouring out of Sweden (hello Cheap Monday, H&M, Acne, and Filippa K) that it’s no surprise that the country has cornered the market on Scandinavian-influenced mags. The country’s leading fashion magazine, Bon, takes the cake with it’s visually and verbally dense pages. The tome and it’s online component offer up sophisticated coverage from all the international weeks, but hones in on—and rightfully so—their homegrown talent.

TANK

Launched in 1998 by the eponymous creative agency, the “bookzine” focuses on architecture, fashion, and overall great design. Expect quirky spins on boldfaced names—from Miuccia Prada to David Sims and Dior— up-and-coming stars in fashion, art, graphic design, and other visual fields. The multi-talented minds behind Tank also produce a radio station, publishing house, and online TV segments.

NUMERO

French-based Numero allows all you impatient trend hounds to get a sneak peak at the fashions of tomorrow. (Modelizers will appreciate the editorial team’s ahead-of-the curve front-cover placement of young catwalkers.) The magazine, which has earned accolades for its arresting photographs and influential design, serves as a must-read for the W magazine subscribers who prefer their style news served up with some edge.

PLASTIQUE

The recently launched Plastique offers a behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot lifestyle. While stories touch on contemporary cinema and art, the real reason to pick up the book is its many thoughtful interviews with designers, photographers, illustrators and more.

A Magazine

Curated by a rotating roster of intellectual designers (including Yohji Yamamoto, Martine Sitbon, and Martin Margiela) A Magazine delves into the inspirations, craftsmanship ideals, and external influences that are crucial to the design process. the insightful presentation of such oft-over-looked stories will prove to be rewarding to those who are interested in what goes on behind the atelier’s gilded doors.

LULA MAGAZINE
London-based Lula taps into the fairytale trend that’s prevailed in certain fashion and art circles as of late. Helmed by former Vogue UKer, Leith Clarke, it’s plum full of romantic, ethereal photos, cameos by bewitching girls—such as Zooey Deschanel, Erin Fetherston, and Karen Elson—and nostalgic stories of timeworn treasures including Anne of Green Gables books, heart lockets, and more. Not only does each issue spin a well-crafted yarn, but Lula’s online flipbook is just as enchanting.

WONDERLAND

If the Steven Sprouse-like logo doesn’t tip you off about Wonderland’s energetic coverage of the film, fashion, and art worlds, you’ll figure it out once you flip open the first page. Created by young Londoner, (A Visionaire alum and former Mario Testino assistant) Huw Gwyther, the book looks at with the unabashed, rocking enthusiasm of undergrads at St. Martins (of which Gwyther is an alumni, duh).

FLY MAGAZINE

By offering short fashion films (in lieu of photoshoots) via web and limited-edition DVDs only, the Paris-and New York based magazine is quietly redefining the medium. Recent trendsetting contributors include Shirin Neshat, Julia Restoin Toirfeld, Missy Rayder, and Debbie Harry. If it sounds impressive, that’s because it is.

Did we forget any?

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, GlamCHiC, Fashion Magazines, Indie Fashion, Models, Designers,

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Great Style, the new fashion tome from the folks at Harper’s Bazaar, should be on your fall shopping list. I tell you this not because I think you need the styling wisdom the book promises to impart (The best investment pieces! The 10 Commandments of Dressing! A 12-month shopping calendar!) because chances are if you’re reading GlamChic, you’ve already got more than a few tricks up your designer sleeves. I mean you don’t really need someone to tell you what goes with a little black dress do you? (Trick question as correct answers include both HELL NO! and ARE YOU CRAZY, EVERYTHING WORKS?!)

However, I am 100% positive that some day, in the far-off future, you will need this book. I don’t know when, I don’t know why, and I don’t know what you’ll be wearing, but at some point the time will come when you’ll be in dire need of a glossy book filled with images of today’s red-carpet queens wearing the most contemporary designer duds.

Reese Witherspoon, Madonna, and Michelle Williams

Maybe you’ll need it for entertainment purposes (“Oh gosh,” you’ll say ,”I remember when Michelle Williams wore that yellow dress! Was she preggers then? Still with Heath? Does anyone remember?”) or to help call up memories of your own closet favorites (“Wow, Chloe Spring Summer 2005! I had that dress that Nicole wore! I bought it at the sample sale, suckers!”).

Nicole Kidman

Mischa Barton, Sienna Miller

When reviewing the book in the late 2050s, you’ll grow nostalgic as certain photos tug at your heart strings (“Oh my god!” you’ll cry out, “Mischa! I just died for her! Whatever happened to her?”) while others will help out when putting together the perfect retro ensemble (“I’m thinking rocker-chic circa 2005. Like Gwen Stefani in studded Thomas Wylde!”).

Gwen Stefani

The tome—which is really like a look-book of the best tabloid photos funneled into 240 sleek and stylish pages—serves as a sartorial time-capsule of sorts, the kind of which is few and far between. Plus, it’s only $19.65 which is one of the best bargains around, now and forever.

Technorati Tags: Harper’s Bazaar, Great Style, Fashion Books, Celebrity Style

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I’ve got to go a little MIA today and work on projects for the Glam mothership, but I don’t want to leave you without any time-consuming tidbits. Here’s some things worth checking out when you have a few spare seconds:

Still nursing a Halloween hangover? Like a fail-proof tail of the dog shot, Paper Mag’s intoxicating snapshots from V Mag’s A-list costume fete at the Gramercy Hotel will cure you.

If you’re headed off to a cocktail party tonight, re-read Reuters’ article on why models don’t smile. I mean because really, even if they won’t come right out & admit it, everyone out there likes to speculate about those other-worldy beings in the catwalk crew.

 Also, if you didn’t catch it already, in today’s New York Times, Eric Wilson waxes on about the demise of the It-Bag.

 And speaking of the end of an era...LA Times‘ Monica Concoran mourns the death of the black-tie dress code.

At least cowboy boots live on.
Who What Wear Daily schools us in the current fad for abbreviated boots.

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A selection of Simon Doonan’s books

Being around the Onion crowd made me realize that there are approximately about four funny people in the fashion industry, a half dozen max. (And by funny, I mean public-funny. Funny as in funny-insane and witticisms released behind closed doors are entirely different categories.) This small circle includes The Village Voice’s Lynn Yeager, Paper Magazine’s Mickey Boardman, and my favorite Barneys’ Simon Doonan. To get a taste of his delectable self-deprecating witticisms, check out his latest NY Observer piece. Doonan has a few books to his name (in fact I think his outnumber the Onion’s publications) and you should, in my humble opinion, buy them all. Immediately.

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The Onion’s new book, “Our Dumb World”

The Onion isn’t exactly known for its insightful fashion content. And yet, despite the guaranteed absence of sartorial chit-chat I was lured uptown last night to the Onion’s book launch party, where the staff unveiled their latest farcical feat, Our Dumb World. The genius, country-by-country atlas–which will no doubt be placed alongside Jon Stewart’s America (The Book) in bookstores–is predictably wry and witty, but I must say I was a little surprised to see Jordan’s entry plastered with photos of the stylish Queen Rania.

Jordan’s Queen Rania

Clearly her highness–known for her elegance, intelligence, and dedication to her women’s rights and youth foundations–has the power to win over even the most politically jaded writer. (And they’re a tough crowd, let me tell you.)

Cecilia Sarkozy

Speaking of glamorous government figures, let’s all keep an eye on Cécilia Sarkozy, shall we? Those who spread rumors say that the former model and soon-to-be divorced wife of French president Nicolas Sarkozy is on the hunt for the perfect New York apartment (aren’t we all cherie, aren’t we all). Here’s hoping there’s availability in 1040 Fifth Avenue, Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s former address. (Sarkozy, a cool brunette, bears more than a passing resemblance to the Camelot Queen.) The trend-sniffers at NYMag are already on her case, so we just might have another Manhattan-based icon in our midst. Five euros says that we’ll see her front row at the Oscar de la Renta show before too long.

Sarkozy image from CBC News , Rania from Time Inc

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