Flair: Fashion Collected by Tina Chow

Richard Martin and Harold Koda. Preface by Tina Chow.

Rizzoli & Fashion Institute of Technology. New York. 1992. First edition. Hardback; brown cloth-bound boards, dust jacket. 160 pages. Illustrated throughout in colour and b&w. English. 315 x 240mm. 1.2kg. 847814955. Near fine, in near fine dust jacket; light surface wear to jacket.

Flair: Fashion Collected by Tina Chow was published to coincide with the exhibition of the same name held at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York. Chow was a style and fashion icon of 1970s and 80s New York. She was a muse of Yves Saint Laurent and Issey Miyake and mixed with the likes of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. During her life-time she amassed a large collection of couture clothing, rivalling the most famous museum collections. Fifty of the finest pieces are illustrated and discussed here, and include designs by Azzedine Alaia, Alix, Balenciaga, Cardin, Chanel, Dior, Fortuny, Romeo Gigli, Givenchy, Charles James, Karl Lagerfled, Lanvin, Jurgen Lehl, Issey Miyake, Paul Poiret, Zandra Rhodes, Yves Saint Laurent, Schiaparelli and Vionnet. Chow had a distinctly monochrome aesthetic, although colour and pattern do appear occasionally. Each item of clothing is beautifully illustrated and is accompanied by detailed shots. There are also pattern drawings of ten items plus photographs of Chow wearing the outfits, taken by Helmut Newton, David Seidner, Eric Boman, Cecil Beaton.