Overview
This witty and eye-popping book—a delightfully unconventional view of contemporary fashion as seen in the creative ways that people around the globe adorn their bodies—is the brainchild of graphic designer Tibor Kalman, who had finished the picture selection and design when he died in May 1999. Completed by his wife and partner in M&Co, noted children's book author Maira Kalman, (un)Fashion will startle, amuse, engross, and enchant as it adds posthumously to Tibor Kalman's reputation as one of the graphic design geniuses of the 20th century.
From cardboard shoes in Africa to body paint in New Guinea, from chimney sweeps in France to an Indian Elvis, (un)Fashion scans the globe to show how real people dress: at work, on the street, or for ceremonial occasions. With virtually no text, (un)Fashion pokes gentle fun at the elitism of the fashion world, presenting its provocative observations through dynamic images by some of the world's foremost photojournalists.
Editorials
Booknews
Before Tibor died, he and Maira traveled extensively and collected images of the insane, inspired, and beautiful clothing and other body ornament. Here are photographs with no text beyond section headings; captions and credits are appended. Among the sections body art, accessories, tribes, standard issue, optics, dressed to kill, facemasks, modesty, mobile home, headgear, holywear, and death. There is no index, bibliography, or page numbers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)H. Scott Jolley
Fashion is ultimately a silly business , at least according to the late Tibor Kalman and his wife, Maria. In their last book together (un)Fashion the design team gently gooses the rag trade with with portraits of indigenous clothing from around the world...Knowing Kalman's astute eye for trends, maybe the fashion world will pick up on some of the Kalmans' choices, but then again, judging by that pineapple-juice can earring, maybe not.—Travel and Leisure