Twin » book

The Monroe Factor

Carla — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:14:10 +0000

The world has fallen in love with Marilyn Monroe all over again. From Michelle Williams starring as the icon in Simon Curtis’ My Week With Marilyn to the collection of 200+ images of Monroe in Metamorphosis by David Wills, 2011 marks a new-found infatuation with the world’s most famous blonde.

But if anything, it’s a time to reflect on who Norma Jeane Mortenson really was. Her predominant public image was that of the good-time girl with the come-hither voice. But in reality, behind the red lips, hot-rolled curls and Hollywood glamour story, there was a sensitive and often at times conflicted soul; one plagued by debilitating stage fright, depression and substance abuse issues.

Born June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, she was raised in foster homes for a large part of her childhood. Monroe landed her first, although uncredited, movie role in 1947‘s The Shocking Miss Pilgrim. Far from a ‘dumb blonde’, she studied literature and art appreciation at the University of California alongside the production of her early films, until managing her big breakthrough in the drama The Asphalt Jungle three years later.

Making the leap from an airplane factory worker to the icon of a generation, the star later revealed that she didn’t identify herself with the star/ sex symbol label she was given. “I believe you’re always as good as your potential. Fame will go by, and, so long, I’ve had you fame. So at least it’s something I experienced, but that’s not where I live,” Monroe said in her last ever interview with LIFE magazine in 1962.

What Marilyn Monroe gave the world wasn’t a sex symbol that sang ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President…’ in a whispery voice. She was the woman that came from nothing, saw and conquered. Love for a legend like that never dies.

My Week With Marilyn opens November 23. Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis by David Wills, published by HarperCollins, is out December 5.

Words by Carla Seipp

Life Behind The Lens

Carla — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:26:13 +0000

A majority of the most inspiring artistic work hovers in the realm of the undiscovered for decades. Vivian Maier’s photography is no exception. Born in 1926, the New Yorker and her personal life remain an enigma to this day. Whereas her story is still untold, the professional nanny began documenting the accounts and realities of her post-war American surroundings in the Fifties.

Without any formal photographic training, Maier amassed a collection of more than 100,000 images over the course of four decades, which stayed unpublished—until now. Historian John Maloof has compiled her personal archives of black and white images into a book that manages to both captivate its viewer and leave one intrigued by the life of the woman behind the camera lens.

Managing to turn everyday elements of gritty street life into hauntingly beautiful photographs, Vivian Maier was a talent that may have been hidden, but never forgotten.

All images from Vivian Maier: Street Photographer edited by John Maloof, published by powerHouse Books. Available from December 8.

Words by Carla Seipp

Acceptable in the Eighties

boudicca — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:50:58 +0000

Claude Montana’s signature silhouette defined the age of excess. His was a New Look for the Eighties and Montana’s glamazons wore cinched-in waists, topped off by razor-sharp shoulders. It was a universe of bold colour, luxe leathers and power tailoring, where Montana reigned supreme. However the Nineties embrace of minimalism saw his vision without an audience, and in 1997 he filed for bankruptcy.

While the designer now lives quietly in Spain, his name retains its ability to evoke a decade of design. The Montana legacy has been compressed into a new book, written by the designer himself with the help of fashion journalist Marielle Cro.

Claude Montana looks at the principles and practices that underpinned his world. Punctuated throughout by catwalk images, sketches and tributes from former collaborators, including photographer Paolo Roversi, embroiderer François Lesage and fellow designer Alain Mikli.

With rumours that Montana could be lured back to designing under the right circumstances, we can only hope the book is less a eulogy, than the prelude to a restoration.

Claude Montana: Fashion Radical is available from Thames & Hudson, thamesandhudson.com

Words by Boudicca Fox-Leonard.

Images courtesy of Guy Marineau and Paolo Roversi.

Black-Market Records

Aimee — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:37:59 +0000

'Contraband' is an extraordinary series of works by New York photographer Taryn Simon. Compiled over

 five days, the book documents over 1,000 items that have been seized by customs at John F Kennedy

International Airport. It's amazing what people will try to get away with carrying or sending - the objects

in question range from an African cane rat infested with maggots, to a South American pig head, counterfeit

American Express traveller's Cheques, gold dust and heroin. Often it's the way that the banned objects have

been concealed that is the most intriguing of all.

The book reveals the dark brass tracks of America and the contradictions of a system that we often try to forget.

 Each of Simon's photographs is composed with forensic care. They are like a scientific record which leaves no

room for ambiguity. Yet the personal nature and the geometry of the objects themselves means they are often

cast in a seductive and haunting light. The result is perfectly illuminating - humanising even the most forbidden fruit.

'Contraband' by Taryn Simon is published by Steidl this month (steidlville.com), and an exhibition will also open at

Lever House, New York on September 30 and run until December 31, 2010 (gagosian.com).

Words by Zoe Limberis

Vibrant view

Lucia — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:51:12 +0000

Thanks to Trolley Books for a fun night at the exhibition and book launch of ‘Gentlemen of Bacongo’. Surrounded by many jaunty and dapper styles, the guests mirrored the images of the ‘Sapeurs’ that graced the walls of the London Newcastle Project Space. Flamboyance and flair was something this private view did not lack – some of the brightly coloured tuxedos photographed even hung from the ceiling. For those wanting to embrace true Congolese culture a DJ blasted out African party tunes, inviting people to dance in the vast warehouse space in front of him.

http://www.trolleybooks.com
check also Big Pimpin

Art house

Aimee — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:35:32 +0000

Twin’s art editor Francesca Gavin has been busy working alongside artist Jonathan Yeo co-curating a permanent collection of artworks for the Dean Street Townhouse, the latest addition to the Soho House Group, which opens tomorrow.

In the style of Colmbe D’Or artists Tracey Emin, Sam Griffin, Fiona Banner, Tim Noble and Gavin Turk – to name just a few – were all given credit at the hotel, which was once the notorious Gargoyle Club, in exchange for their artworks. So visitors know they will certainly be in good cultural company.

www.deanstreettownhouse.com

Want One

Becky — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:19:31 +0000

This beautiful book – Fashion Etcetera by Sam Haskins – is top of our cultural wish-lists. We spotted this Tommy Hilfiger edition in Colette this weekend and quite frankly we need it in our lives.

€75.00 Available from Colette

Big pimpin

Lucia — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:17:20 +0000

The super style of the ‘Gentlemen of Bacongo’ is celebrated this month with a brief but brilliant exhibition. Photographer Daniele Tamagni’s images provide a fascinating insight into the vibrant street style of ‘The Sapeurs’ – the immaculately dressed dandies from the heart of the Congo. As King Kester Emenya, the Congolese musician says, “The white man may have invented clothes but we turned it into an art”. Apparently, Sir Paul Smith, who prefaced the original book based his spring collection on the images. Nuff said.

From 27th – 29th November, London Newcastle Project Space, 28 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP.

www.trolleybooks.com

So-high So-ko

Aimee — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:03:16 +0000

Issue one features an interview with the spirited singer Soko, here she shares some of her most intimate thoughts….