2: Contemporary Designers of Fashion With Soul (Noovo)

“Noovo is to be commended for selecting categories that traditionally receive very little attention/ink unless you are a world class designer.”

The notes of Contemporary Designers of Fashion with Soul clearly state that the subject matter concerns itself with cutting edge design—a welcome subject for books of this ilk. We are presented with short “sketches” of 35 designers, 90% of them have little to no public recognition, and for the most part, they have wild imaginations that will likely never be translated into any sort of marketable fashion.

Noovo is to be commended for selecting categories that traditionally receive very little attention/ink unless you are a world class designer. Handbags, apparel, glasses, hats, and shoes are the main focus here; and yes, the photography is first rateas is the execution, but the same cannot be said of the designers that have been selected for the spotlight.

Once again, as stated in a previous book review in nyjb of a Noovo photography collection, the appeal of the subjects must be looked at on a global basis rather than a strictly American point of view—especially since 98% of them are unknown to the fashion establishment here.

Noovo should try the same premise (bringing these young designers to the forefront) and approach same by region, which would make far more sense for interested parties and would be a greater boost to the designers of said region. There is great promise in the concept, but it loses its impact when the focus is so broad in terms of where these designers create and sell their products.

If you are in search of the avant garde in fashion, this is a book that needs to part of your fashion library. But if you are looking for emerging designers whose wares you might find in a local, trendy boutique or see in a niche fashion magazine, then Contemporary Designers of Fashion with Soul would be a pass—at least as of 2011.