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By Savitha Hira Photography: Courtesy Frame Publishers The minutest intricacies of the human psyche in relation to its preferences and obsessions make an intriguingly engaging read in ‘Fetishism in Fashion’ – hands-on referral into empathizing with the ‘peculiar’ and the ‘individualistic’ of material and form behind the glitz and glamour of fashion design. The coffee-table book that comes packaged with its fashionably red elastic is indeed a wholesome read. Written by Lidewij Edelkoort, who has pioneered trend forecasting as a profession and is known for her creation of innovative trend books and audio-visuals since the 1980s, the book with its engaging and at times, downright repulsive imagery – is nonetheless eye-catching and in-the-face, almost compelling the reader to pause and introspect. The author works on the theory that every common passionate response for colour, hairstyle, clothes, skin-show, shoes, etc, etc, has its bearings in the ‘bond’ that we as individuals need to develop in order to exist. She goes back to the just-born neonate stage, attributing the severing of the umbilical cord to one’s need for bonding in life. Establishing these various bonds, at various levels, in various degrees results in one or the other fetish in a consummate manner and this philosophy is beautifully worded and illustrated in the book. The extremely complex subject, which is commonly perceived in the negative, is dealt with, with sensitivity by the invitee authors; the compilation communicating on a single cohesive platform. Illustrations and photographs sit well in tandem and one cannot escape appreciating the efforts that must have gone in, to prove the multifarious fetishes that have been concisely dealt with. Unveiled as the official catalogue of the Mode Biennale Arnhem 2013, in Netherlands, held by Lidewij in June-July’13, such a book will continue to inspire and shake people out of their nonchalance, as it sheds new light on the phenomenon of fetishes. Beautifully packaged, the book illustrates more than 50 fetishes, covers a wide range of contemporary issues relating to fashion, fetishism and society and also includes a few short stories as well as designer work insights. Without mincing words and thoughts, I second Visi magazine, South Africa, in saying, “If you’re looking for an immersive read that will challenge your comfort zones and create a striking talking point on your coffee table, Fetishism in Fashion is the one.” Publication Details: 2013 Frame Publishers Written by LidewijEdelkoort Edited by Philip Fimmano Graphic Design by Jeroen Jas English 248 pages / full colour / hardcover with rubber band Size: 230 x 290 mm Price: €39 (plus postage & handling) to view images click on www.indiaartndesign.com
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