Fashion House: Illustrated Interiors from the Icons of Style

Fashion House is an ambitious undertaking on a subject that has probably entered every fashioncentric person’s mind at one time or another: How does a certain designer live his or her life? How does a certain social butterfly spend her days? In more generic terms, “How does the other half live?”

Ms. Hess has injected a fair amount of wit and insight into the subject as well as quite a bit of tongue in cheek humor. She has managed to extract quotes by many of those already in the rarefied side of the business of fashion as well as authors and other notables skirting the edge.

This is most certainly a book that will amuse with its whimsical take on a business that has grown very serious. We are flooded on an almost daily basis by those who offer their fashion views to us on one level or another. Ms. Hess addresses this reportage with humor and a touch of the irreverent.

The more seasoned reader might take umbrage with the selection of her “icons” as they are a bit incongruous with one another, including movie stars of the past, designers of varying renown in the present, and then one or two who barely qualify on any level other than in her opinion. Within this section, there are a few glaring inconsistencies which might also cause some head shaking as well.

The opinion here is that Fashion House can only be addressed as fashionable fluff on the details of living well.

The book will make a great conversation piece for any host or hostess and especially those appreciate the droll quality that Ms. Hess provides in characterizations and scenarios, page after page.

Put it on your coffee table while your summer guests await that freshly squeezed lemonade. It’s tart but sweet.