John Varvatos: Rock in Fashion

by John Varvatos, Holly George-Warren

In John Varvatos , the legendary designer reveals his perspective on how rock & roll music and style have influenced his own designs and fashion worldwide. Varvatos’s personally curated collection of more than 250 images are some of the most provocative ever shot by top rock photographers from the late 1960s to today, from the Rolling Stones to the Kings of Leon. The featured photographers are among the world’s finest, including Mick Rock, Bob Gruen, Elliott Landy, Danny Clinch, Lynn Goldsmith, and more. Also included are select images from Varvatos’s own advertising campaigns, featuring artists such as Slash, Iggy Pop, Scott Weiland, and Miles Kane. Varvatos’s captions and incisive commentary on the artist and his or her look accompany each image. Every chapter also contains numerous quotes from the musicians themselves, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Iggy Pop, Jack White, Pete Townshend, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, and Patti Smith. An extraordinary anthology of some of the finest images in rock & roll and the most influential rock looks in fashion and popular culture, this volume will delight music lovers, and fans of music photography, fashion, and fashion history.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2013

Reviews

[Sara Habein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this to my husband for his birthday, since he loves the photography, many of the musicians, AND John Varvatos' clothing (never mind that he can't afford the clothing, but it is indeed beautiful). Sometimes the fashion-speak is not entirely my thing, but this is a great rock n roll book. I love the Paul Weller inclusions, and that some of Neil Casal's (from The Cardinals) photos of Ryan Adams and Liam and Noel Gallagher made it in. It's a fun book to look at.

More importantly though: SO MUCH BOWIE.

[Blake Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a lot of books like this, about 70s/80s/90s rock fashion or whatever. This one is way better than most. I actually read all the text.

[romney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look book. Excellent range of photography with a focus on a particular kind of rock look exemplified by Led Zep, The Clash, Iggy Pop, etc. There is a little text and the quotes from the rockers themselves about clothes are interesting. Women feature occasionally but only get a second look if they're wearing men's clothing. It's really just one person's idea of style with no great scholarship on anything particular or any idea of clothing quality, but they've chosen some good photos to illustrate it. The only stuff in the book I didn't like were the things they had designed themselves!

[Esther Markussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great selection of rock and rolls favorite muses and their styles. I felt like I really got into Varvatos obsession with rock. The way it was written, was personal to him, and in a fanlike manner. It is really well curated picture collection, my only wishes where that it focus more on the fashion industry aspects, rather than the singers/bands. Like it would be nice to hear which fashion brands are synonymous with rockstars.

[Hillary Marek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for autographing my copy! I was absolutely ecstatic to receive it. Even more so after I read it!!! What an amazing life. Just unbelievable how cool this cat is. This book is now one of my prized possessions.

[Donna Subotnik]

Great retrospective into fashion history seen through rock and roll. Shows how inventive these rockers were and their ability to customize off the rack clothes for the stage.

[bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

AMAZING references. very much focused on Varvatos personal influences - which is very much the intent of this book.