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What do you get when you ask a fashionable brand to select their favorite books from one of New York’s most iconic bookstores?
Fashionable books of course!
Kate Spade is celebrating 20 years of style by partnering with Strand Books and selecting 20 of its favorite books. While of course some of the books like “Avedon Fashion 1944 – 2000” undeniably speak of style, I also like that some of the selections also capture a certain era like “Once Upon a Time” by Slim Aarons (his photography captures the world of the rich and famous in decades past in pictures that are timeless), and others speak of cultural experiences like Julia Childs’ “My Life in France” (my own experience living in France was short compared to her experience, but I love reading about a journey of love, travel, and good food).
Here are my favorite books as well as a few Kate Spade finds that I think match the mood of the books well.
“Allure” by Diana Vreeland and Christopher Hemphill, Strand Books, $21 – $31.50
In the 1980s, at the urging of her editor – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – legendary fashion maven Diana Vreeland put together a collection of photographs and first-person musings conveying what the concept of allure meant to her.
Briella coat, Kate Spade, $798.00
“The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway, Strand Books, $7.50 – $13.50
The story follows the flamboyant Brett and the hapless Jake as they journey from the wild nightlife of 1920s Paris to the brutal bull-fighting rings of Spain with a motley group of expatriates. It is an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusions.
Lucy dress, Kate Spade, $428.00
“My Life in France” by Julia Child and Alex Prud’homme, Strand Books, $14.40
Her unforgettable story – struggles with the head of the Cordon Bleu, rejections from publishers to whom she sent her now-famous cookbook – unfolds with the spirit so key to her success as a chef and a writer.
Karolina pumps, Bergdorf Goodman, $134 (from $298)
“Once Upon a Time”by Slim Aarons and Frank Zachary, Strand Books, $76.50
The photographs in this volume, Aarons’s first since A Wonderful Time (o.p.) more than 30 years ago, will make readers feel that they have gone on a holiday themselves.
“Avedon Fashion 1944 – 2000” by Richard Avedon, Carol Squires, Vince Aletti,Philippe Garner
This comprehensive volume offers a definitive survey of Avedon’s fashion work, from his groundbreaking early photographs for Harper’s Bazaar, through his constantly inventive contributions to Vogue, Egoiste, & The New Yorker.
Tuxedo t-shirt, Kate Spade, $68.00
Melita jacket, Kate Spade, $428.00
Devyn short, Kate Spade, $248.00
Kate Spade New York Claremont Drive Marcella Tote, Kate Spade, $478.00
MIXER heels, Kate Spade, $378.00
What are some of your favorite books?
I ought to get myself a copy of this book after this lovely write up;-)
Thank you for your kind words. I hope I’ve inspired to find a good book or two!
Love the combination of looks and books, so cool!! All of these are beautiful and now I’d like to read the books too 😉 I hope you have a wonderful day doll xx
OMG ‘The Sun Also Rises’ is one of my favorite books – love seeing it included here!
P.S. I’m glad commenting is back to normal on my blog, as well…so many people had trouble with the other commenting system. :/
That books sounds like a great read! Love the pair up of the books with the fashion looks too-fabulous!
Awesome collaboration. She just came out with a book that I want to get.
What a brilliant pairings and my favourite is Julia Child:) Also, I just read Eat, Memory: Great Writers at the Table. It’s a collection of essays from the New York Times. Kisses, darling.
Diana, thanks for the recommendation! I would love to read “Eat, Memory: Great Writers at the Table”. I love NY Times essays so this would be perfect!
I need to read the diana vreeland book!! what an unique and awesome post!
MI VIVERE .
Thank you for your kind words sweetie! The “Allure” book by Diana Vreeland is truly a timeless book and I hope we both get to read it soon.
I love this partnership! My favourite books are countless. The Little Prince is one of them 🙂
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These sound so delightful, i would love to get a copy of Once Upon A Time and the Julia Childs one…I’m on the lookout now. Thanks for lending me your view.. Have a great Friday hun!
I walked by Strand Books last week but time didn’t permit me to go in. It’s so cool how they’re partnering up with Kate Spade like this.
Rowena @ rolala loves
What a wonderful partnership!