Taschen’s Latest Tome on Fabulous Costume Jewellery Showcases a Dazzling Journey Through Time, Design, Art, and Ersatz Stones

Exploring the exquisite world of imitation gems and their cultural significance in fashion history, this book is a triumph.

In the realm of haute couture, where diamonds and precious stones reign supreme among the upper echelons of culture and society, there exists a parallel universe that is both enchanting and accessible: the world of costume jewellery, often dubbed “democratic jewels.” Renowned art book publisher Taschen is releasing a magnificent, gorgeously photographed, illustrated, and eloquently written hardcover tome, Costume Jewelry: The Collection of Patrizia Sandretto Re Robaudongo, featuring the work of photographer Luciano Romano, author Carol Woolton, and fashion critic and curator Maria Luisa Frisa.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Gone Too Soon: The New Book ‘Bright Stars’ by Art Historian Kate Bryan

 

Kate Bryan’s new book Bright Stars: Great Artists Who Died Too Young exhumes some of the world’s great artists who shone briefly and faded just as fast. We delve into a fascinating tome, full of constant revelations.

Read the entire feature at PrestigeOnline.com here.

What are you reading?

By my bedside, books by fellow Palghatian Shashi Tharoor. 

Might have stayed awake if history was taught by Tharoor. 

The other book not as great, or good - but helps one contextualise origins of Hinduism - and how it stands today after attrition by corrupt politicians and self-serving pundits. 

The Art of Love Kate Bryan: The most fascinating couples in the world of art

Having featured Ms Bryan since her time in Hong Kong, am very excited to pick this up from Amazon; The Art of Love by Kate Bryan.

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The Art of Love tells the stories of the most fascinating couples of the art world, exploring the passionate, challenging and loving relationships behind some of the world’s greatest works of art.
From Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera to Joseph Cornell and Yayoi Kusama, Josef and Anni Albers to Gilbert & George, Kate Bryan delves into the formation, and sometimes breakdown, of each romance, documenting their highs and lows and revealing just how powerful love can be in the creative process.
Whether long-lasting, peaceful collaborations, or short-lived tumultuous affairs, The Art of Love opens the door on some of the greatest love stories of the twentieth century. "

Grab your copy from Amazon here. Obviously have already pre-ordered it.

Below portrait Kate Bryan at Madam Fu, shot by Dino Busch. 

click to enlarge

My chat with Bonnae Gokson

Bonnae Gokson on her new book, beautiful weddings and success!

The businesswoman, entrepreneur and style icon adds author to her list of titles. 

Following the success of Bonnae Gokson’s first book, its sequel, Weddings, Butterflies & The Sweetest Dreams, is out this month at all leading stockists. Gokson, the mastermind behind Sevva, C’est La B cafés, and Ms B’s Cakery, is renowned for her exquisite taste — so the book is, unsurprisingly, stunning. The new tome is a visual feast, depicting exquisite weddings around the world, complemented by bespoke cakes selected and designed by Gokson for each occasion. We sat down with the always glamorous Gokson at her impeccable and iconic restaurant Sevva to go over this new chapter in her life.

Always good chat, was great to catch up with Ms Gokson on the eve of her book launch for a Q&A session for Prestige (and PrestigeOnline.com). Check out the full feature here.