Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh is renowned for his architectural achievements on a public and domestic scale, interior design, and furniture design. This book reviews his work in context, and considers how his ideas can be interpreted. His handling of colour, use of materials, and graphic approach to form are explored, and photographs show original designs and plans. Inspired by nature, fired by the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement, rooted in the vernacular traditions of his native region, Mackintosh's genius was to forge an entirely new style for a new age. Radical but intensely personal, his architecture, interiors and furnishings retain all their essential vigour nearly a century after they were first conceived. In this compelling study Elizabeth Wilhide considers Mackintosh's sensitive handling of colour, robust use of materials and graphic approach to form. The abundance of photographs of original schemes still in existence provide direct inspiration. His items of furniture are icons of early modern design and suppliers and listed for those currently in production.

This fully colour illustrated work covers the most artistically progressive period for British table cutlery between 1870 and 1940, and maps its evolution through a series of artistic periods, including Art Deco and the Arts & Crafts revival, to the present day. For the humble spoon, the Arts & Craft period brought in new and exotic styles developed from the changing taste that sprang from the Great Exhibition of 1851. The artistic styles were largely based around natural form and many makers turned against the mass production of the industrial age. The golden age for Liberty & Company provided a platform for designers such as Archibald Knox, Oliver Baker, Bernard Cuzner and the Silver Studio with their bold, and often-colourful, designs for spoons. The rise of women who rivalled their male counterparts in design and craft, particularly in the fields of jewellery and small silverware, was particularly significant at this time.

Book of Ideas is just that: an outpouring of what one creative director and designer has discovered from many years working in the strange and endlessly fascinating world of the creative industry. Sharing advice on everything from inspiration to inbox control, facing your fears, finding happiness in your work, the art of self-promotion and beating creative block. It is also illustrated with some of the most important and resonant portfolio projects. Book of Ideas is an invaluable tool to any creative at any stage in their career.

Little Book of Dior is the pocket-sized and beautifully illustrated story of 70 years of opulent fashion. Christian Dior's spectacular rise to the upper echelons of the Parisian fashion world is one of the most compelling stories of twentieth-century fashion. Dior's debut collection in 1947 invented the New Look silhouette and revolutionized the way women dressed, shopped and saw themselves. Recounting Christian Dior's early life, the brand's inception, the triumphs of the couture collections on the catwalk and the red carpet, and the fashion house's evolution under Christian Dior's creative direction successors - Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferre, John Galliano, Bill Gaytten, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri - Little Book of Dior is a stylish gift for any lover of fashion.

"Meeting Matteo, over 10 years ago in Hoxton Square has led me to develop a genuine respect and curiosity about his work and approach. I was excited and apprehensive when I decided to write his story. Such a responsibility. This book is not simply about Matteo's transformation from Marketing to the world of Interior Design over the past decade, but more about what inspires and drives someone and how they get through it. "From nothing, Matteo has created a design studio with a reputation for elegance, quality and quirkiness. I feel lucky to have been allowed such unlimited access, which has brought me closer to Matteo. I hope what I have discovered keeps you turning the pages, as I know that there is a lot more to come. Have a look for yourself." Matteo Bianchi is an award-winning Interior and Product Designer with an entrepreneurial flair. Born in Venice, Italy, Bianchi's inherent passion for design led him to train at the Chelsea College of Art & Design in London, after a career in marketing and advertising. Matteo Bianchi is the Founder and Director of Matteo Bianchi Studio, launched in 2007 and he also teaches Interior Design related courses at The Interior Design School, London and Chelsea College of Art in the United Kingdom and The United Arab Emirates. Matteo Bianchi's Studio combines unexpected, unique and refined Interior and Product Design.

The creative genius who gave us the Little Black Dress and Chanel No. 5.

Almost 50 years after her death, Coco Chanel remains one of the world's most influential fashion designers. Her story is one of creative brilliance and innovation – she was a driving force in freeing women from the restrictive clothing they had been obliged to wear for generations. 'In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different,' Chanel would say, and throughout her life she demonstrated extraordinary passion and determination to change the world around her.

There is much wisdom to glean from Chanel's self-reflections, while her sharp wit and joie de vivre will amuse, surprise and inspire in equal measure.

Little Book of Louis Vuitton is the pocket-sized and fully illustrated story of one of the world's most luxurious fashion houses. Louis Vuitton's monogrammed bags have been seen on the arms of celebrities and royals alike for over 150 years. From the young Louis seeking his fortune in Paris through to two world wars, the Great Depression, the Jazz Age and the Swinging Sixties, there is no era in which this most opulent of brands hasn't thrived. Detailing the global expansion of Louis Vuitton in the 1980s, the creation of the powerful fashion conglomerate LVMH, and the appointment in 1997 of Marc Jacobs, this is the story of a transformation from luggage company to high-fashion label. Louis Vuitton's continued evolution under the creative direction of Nicolas Ghesquière and Virgil Abloh is also depicted through fabulous images and captivating text.

'The perfect printed tool for Prada fans everywhere' Wallpaper* Founded as a luxury leather goods house in 1913 in Milan, Prada entered the field of fashion when Miuccia Prada took the helm of the family company in 1979. After initially focusing exclusively on accessories, she presented the house's first fashion collection in 1988. She would soon transform Prada into one of the world's most influential luxury brands with a deeply personal, sophisticated and subtly subversive approach. This definitive publication opens with a concise history of the house, followed by a brief biographical profile of Miuccia Prada, before exploring the collections themselves, organized chronologically. Each collection is introduced by a short text unveiling its influences and highlights, and illustrated with carefully curated catwalk images that showcase hundreds of spectacular clothes, details, accessories, beauty looks and set designs - and, of course, the top fashion models who wore them on the runway, from Naomi Campbell and Gisele to Kate Moss and Kaia Gerber. A rich reference section, including an extensive index, concludes the book.

Pointed Leaf Press is proud to announce a monograph on English interior designer Sue Timney. To say that Timney's work is eclectic is as obvious as calling the sky blue: eclecticism is her signature. Perhaps it is her peripatetic childhood that has given her a global vision. Born in Libya, her father's military career took her to Germany and Newcastle, England and she cites influences and interests as diverse as the Japanese filmmaker Kurosawa, the beatniks, and African tribal art. In addition to 25 years worth of captivating photographs and some never before published drawings, textile designs, and personal artworks, 'Making Marks' is a journey through a fascinating life - from a career launched in Japan, to the opening of the first Timney Fowler shop in London's hip Portobello area, and her successful career as an interior designer. An exhibition at the Fashion & Textile Museum in London is planned for November 2010.

A Number 1 Amazon bestseller One of the most thought-provoking and influential designers in the world - she once declared 'the only reason I'm in fashion is to destroy the word "conformity"' - Vivienne Westwood has been reinventing, changing and challenging the world of fashion for over five decades. Celebrating 40 years of catwalk collections, this Number 1 bestselling book records the inimitable creations imagined by Vivienne Westwood since her first runway show in 1981, as well as those designed by her husband and long-time collaborator, Andreas Kronthaler. Complete with an introduction and collection texts by Alexander Fury, and biographies written by the designers themselves, Vivienne Westwood Catwalk offers a rare opportunity to chart the development of a uniquely creative fashion house. After Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent and Prada, Vivienne Westwood - is the sixth new volume in the best-selling Catwalk series, which offers an unrivalled overview of the collections of the world's top fashion houses through original catwalk photography. With 1300 illustrations in colour

'The go-to for all things Vuitton' Tatler Founded as a luxury leather goods house in 1854, Louis Vuitton was for many decades one of the world's leading trunk and accessories makers. It was after launching its first fashion collections in 1998, however, that the house reached unprecedented global fame, and pioneered high-profile collaborations with artists such as Richard Prince, Takashi Murakami and Stephen Sprouse. Louis Vuitton Catwalk is a complete and unrivalled overview of the world's top fashion house. The book opens with a concise history of the house, followed by brief biographical profiles of Marc Jacobs, the first creative director 1998-2014, and Nicolas Ghesquiere, who helms the brand today, before exploring the collections themselves, organized chronologically. Each collection is introduced by a short text unveiling its influences and highlights, and illustrated with carefully curated catwalk images. Showcasing hundreds of spectacular clothes, details, accessories, beauty looks and set designs - and, of course, the top fashion models who wore them on the runway, from Naomi Campbell and Gisele to Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne. A rich reference section, including an extensive index, concludes the book.

Part of an exciting series of sturdy, square-box 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles from Flame Tree, featuring powerful and popular works of art. This new jigsaw will satisfy your need for a challenge, with a beautiful illustration by Lesley Anne Ivory, Blossom. This 1000 piece jigsaw is intended for adults and children over 13 years. Not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts. Finished Jigsaw size 735 x 510mm/29 x 20 ins. Now includes an A4 poster for reference. The Russian Princess, Blossomire is a pedigree Siberian Forest cat. This painting of her by Lesley Anne Ivory took many weeks to complete and Lesley commented that 'she was both a challenge and a joy to portray'. Blossomire's crown can be seen at the top of the painting; it was inspired by honeysuckle and is set with emerald and jade for her eyes as well as rubies for her warmth. Lesley Anne Ivory is one of the most prolific and prestigious painters of cats in the world today. Her meticulous attention to detail is legendary; she spends a lot of time researching for her pictures, including countless hours in the British Museum or the Victoria and Albert Museum, researching patterns and fabrics. Her style has evolved over many years and her work is now instantly recognizable from her exquisitely realistic portrayals of cats against richly textured backgrounds.

The iconic bags, the instantly recognizable packaging, the celebrity fans - Hermes is the last word in luxurious accessories. Through the generations, Hermes have created innovative and exquisite accessories for the most glamorous customers. From their nineteenth-century saddlery workshop to 1960s Paris and beyond, Hermes has graced the arms and wardrobes of style icons from Grace Kelly and Jane Birkin to Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian. Little Book of Hermes tells the story of the evolution of the House of Hermes, through beautiful illustrations of the most coveted items and authoritative text by fashion historian Karen Homer.

The best-loved comic characters in the world - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the JLA and many more - are all brought to life by the number one fan-favourite artist working in the medium today, the incomparable Alex Ross. With a new jacket and an additional 16 pages, this book reveals Ross's lifelong love of these classic superheroes and his vision - combining his dynamic art with Chip Kidd's kinetic design. Step into the studio for a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process, with hundreds of never-before seen sketches, limited edition prints, and prototype sculptures. It also has 32 pages of exclusive new material centring on Ross's startling new comic series, "Justice", written by Jim Kreuger, with Ross painting over Doug Braithwaite's pencils!

Though his life was relatively short, Christian Ernest Dior's seismic influence on the fashion world ensures his name lives on as one of the most successful and celebrated designers of all time. Using the rationing restrictions of wartime, he created designs that extenuated the female figure and released the women of the world from the restrictive, dull clothing that restricted rather than enhanced femininity. It was Dior's sudden prominence on the world stage that restored Paris' reputation as the epicentre of the fashion world. To wear a Dior item of clothing, was to wear the best of the best. His post-War collection was described as a completely 'new look' by the editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar, one of the world's most powerful style magazines. The description was adopted and quickly became a fashion movement, with Dior's 'New Look' leading the way and even stealing the limelight from compatriot Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel. The Little Guide to Christian Dior shows how despite coming from a wealthy background with powerful allies, Christian Dior may not have had to scrap his way to the top as Coco Chanel did, but his talent is no less worthy and his legacy as one of the world's greatest designers is no less deserving. 'My dream? To make women happier and more beatiiful.' As seen on Living in Fifties Fashion, 'Salute Mr Dior'

A fascinating, beautiful and definitive account of the life of esteemed artist Helen Oxenbury.

Filled with insights that span Helen Oxenbury's life, from her early childhood through a unique career in children's books that began in 1964 and is still going strong today, here is an exquisitely designed and thoroughly entertaining celebration of one of the finest English illustrators of our time. Written by acclaimed author Leonard S. Marcus, Helen Oxenbury: A Life in Illustration is a keepsake that is sure to engage and delight everyone from scholars to art aficionados to the many children and adults who have grown up with Helen Oxenbury’s enchanting books.

Given that institutions of higher education have a predisposition to compartmentalize and delineate areas of study, creative technology may seem oxymoronic. On the contrary, the very basis of western thought is found in the idea of transcendent knowledge. The marriage of opposing disciplines therefore acts as a more holistic approach to education. Creative Technologies for Multidisciplinary Applications acts as an inspiration to educators and researchers who wish to participate in the future of such multidisciplinary disciplines. Because creative technology encompasses many applications with the realm of art, gaming, the humanities, and digitization, this book features a diverse collection of relevant research for the modern world. It is a pivotal reference publication for educators, students, and researchers in fields related to sociology, technology, and the humanities.

Students new to the work of William Morris will find the full range of his achievements covered in this reissue of Peter Faulkner's excellent biography, first published in 1980. The author has carefully placed Morris in the context of the Victorian age, but has also suggested the relevance of his ideas today. The six chapters are organised biographically and cover all aspects of Morris's work in poetry, fiction, design and socialist politics.

The emphasis is on his continuous struggle against the age in which he lived, seen as an idealism which went through various stages from the wistfulness of The Earthly Paradise through the practical activities of the firm of Morris & Company to the socialism of Morris's later years. The book quotes freely from writings by Morris which are not easily accessible and gives an overall account from which the student can develop his specialist interests. This reissue will appeal to sixth-formers and undergraduates interested in the Victorian period, as seen through one of its most striking personalities.

When this book appeared in 1980, Morris's reputation had risen again after the low estimates of the interwar period. This was due both to the reappraisal of his politics and to the expanding popularity of his designs. Against the Age offers a clear account of Morris's career for those developing an interest in his numerous achievements. It covers the whole range of Morris's work, and argues for his significance as a writer of both poetry and prose. Since 1980 our knowledge of Morris has been enriched by the publication of Norman Kelvin's edition of his Collected Letters, by the late Nicholas Salmond's editions of his contributions to the socialist journals, by Fiona MacCarthy's biography of 1984, and by the increasing recognition of Morris as a pioneer of environmentalism. However, the book retains its value for its wide coverage and its balanced attitude to Morris's achievements, and for its encouragement to readers to consider the issues that make Morris of continuing importance today.

When Alexander McQueen committed suicide in February 2010, aged just 40, a shocked world mourned the loss of its most visionary fashion designer. McQueen had risen from humble beginnings as the youngest child of an East London taxi driver to scale the heights of fame, fortune and glamour. He designed clothes for the world's most beautiful women including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. In business he created a multi-million pound luxury brand that became a favourite with both celebrities and royalty, most famously the Duchess of Cambridge who wore a McQueen dress on her wedding day. But behind the confident facade and bad-boy image, lay a sensitive soul who struggled to survive in the ruthless world of fashion. As the pressures of work intensified, so McQueen became increasingly dependent on the drugs that contributed to his tragic end. Meanwhile, in his private life, his failure to find lasting love with a string of boyfriends only added to his despair. And then there were the dark secrets that haunted his sleep... A modern-day fairy tale infused with the darkness of a Greek tragedy, Alexander McQueen: Blood Beneath the Skin is soon to be adapted for film, directed by Andrew Haigh (45 Years). This book tells the sensational story of McQueen's rise from his hard East London upbringing to the hedonistic world of fashion. Those closest to the designer - his family, friends and lovers - have spoken for the first time about the man they knew, a fragmented and insecure individual, a lost boy who battled to gain entry into a world that ultimately destroyed him.