BELLAS ARTES

A sumptuous monograph tracing the life and legacy of fashion luminary Oscar de la Renta. In October 2014 one of the fashion world’s champions, Oscar de la Renta, passed away, a great loss brightened by the innumerable successes of his half-century reign. The acclaimed fashion designer dressed first ladies from Kennedy to Obama, and celebrities from Beyoncé to Sarah Jessica Parker. Renowned for his unique charm, impeccable taste, and original lifestyle, he married the highest standards of French couture with the ultimate motivation that women must look and feel beautiful. In this intimate volume, longtime editor and friend André Leon Talley recounts de la Renta’s journey through nearly 70 iconic dresses, mainly made for private clients, accompanied by fascinating stories of the exquisite craftsmanship and the legendary friends that brought each gown to life. Born in the Dominican Republic in 1932, de la Renta left for Madrid at nineteen to study art, where he rose to prominence as a sketch artist for newspapers and fashion houses. From his apprenticeship under Cristóbal Balenciaga to his eponymous collections, the designer’s simple lines elevated with a flamenco dancer’s flourish reflect his deep connection to his roots and his commitment to transcendence through beautiful garments.

This is the second monograph, and first with Rizzoli, in English dedicated to this prominent Mexican interior designer. Richly illustrated, it captures Aspe s unique and eclectic style, where modern and contemporary unite in a harmonious mixed equilibrium of approaches and eras, generating spaces filled with timeless character. The book s visual narrative provides a comprehensive and intimate view of the designer and her work. Superbly photographed, Aspe s projects are showcased one after another in a bold and innovative design, alternated with brief booklets providing an intimate perspective about the designer and her sources of inspiration. These booklets are further enriched with quotes from the designer about her work, her creative process, and the backstage thinking that leads to the final design outcome. This exquisite book offers a glimpse into the process of Aspe s world of interiors, from the international artists and local artisans she works with, to her country s radiant colours and picturesque charm and her global reach. Reflective of Aspe s exceptional creativity, this beautifully packaged book will feature a cloth cover with a printed textile. This collection of private interiors is a must-have for the curious, admirers of contemporary design, and art collectors.

With new photographs of houses steeped in the period revival tradition, from 1838 to today, not since Rizzoli’s Santa Barbara Style (2001) has a book so eloquently captured the distinctive splendor of this seaside paradise. Known worldwide for the Santa Barbara style, the town epitomizes a type of building at once elegant and suffused with poetry. At its heart is the historic downtown, featuring white-washed Mediterranean-style stucco buildings with tile roofs and the iconic Santa Barbara Mission of 1786, whose austere beauty set the tone for all that followed. From its earliest days, the influence of this place has been felt and has since radiated across the sunbelt; it continues to be a model of emulation and inspiration. But it is the houses and the dream of living in Santa Barbara and its sister communities of Ojai, Carpinteria, Summerland, Goleta, and Montecito that casts the most profound spell.