David Kibbe's Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can

by David Kibbe

Analyzing personality traits in conjunction with physical characteristics, this makeover guide shows women how to express their personal style with advice on clothing, makeup, and hair styles

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Art, Self Help

252 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1987

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can get past the 80s veneer on some of these styling suggestions, the overall concept is one of the most brilliant, affirming, and holistic approaches to style that I've ever seen. Kibbe argues against the current beauty system that is set up to make women feel as if a given feature is wrong so that they purchase something to "fix" it. He emphasizes how Nature has given you a perfectly balanced body structure and face that can harmonize with how you dress yourself. This book plus a deep dive into the Kibbe corner of Youtube has genuinely changed the way I view myself on a physical and emotional level. Kind of wild tbh. Anyways, copies are so hard to come by these days you may have to do some digging to find one. It was worth it though!

[I. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The positives of the book:
- I enjoyed that David Kibbe encourages people to take a step back to observe their face, body and hair. Kibbe emphasizes consistently throughout the book that people should discover the perfect/beautiful parts of themselves because we are unique and will always have beauty/positive parts of our physique. This was done through exercises that encourage objectively looking at oneself in the mirror and through friends feedback so as to ward off the influence of social trends on current body shapes, beauty and fashion. This also was wonderful in quieting my inner critic.
- I also did find Kibbe's various quizzes to be quite fun. I enjoyed finding my yin/yang, my fashion type, and my "fantasy" life. The yin/yang quiz created the foundation for the fashion type. And this created a guide line for how others would perceive one through fashion, and a way to accessorize and dress oneself. However, the "fantasy" life quiz allows the reader to entertain the ways in which they'd like to live. Kibbe emphasizes that although one might be longing for a dramatic/center of attention life, if their fashion type does not support such glitz and glamor (based on the fashion type) then they should not lean into it based on their fashion/accessory choices. However, they should lean into their fashion type to create this life on their own terms and live authentically that way. Ultimately this would create harmony.

The drawbacks of the book:
- This books is heavily geared towards white women. Read it and you'll quickly find out why. So take everything with a grain of salt if you're a person of color.
- The color seasons section is outdated right now as there are better ways of finding one's color season.
- The hair section was the least helpful given that I am don't have straight hair.
- I can see how people would become obsessive over their fashion type. If you cannot see yourself objectively, I do not recommend this book as you'll either try to change your answers to get the result you want based on inner pressure or the current social trends.

Overall comments:
This was a very quick read. I do think that it was worth reading as I am in different reddit communities for women of color, those interested in petite fashion, and objective beauty. I have a firmer grasp on what folks refer to based on the Kibbe types. I would probably only reference this book to read over my own Kibbe type again but not for much else.

[Julie Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of this system is great! I think approaching your look objectively and working with your natural features is a good way to look at fashion.

[Karolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I LOVE this way of looking at fashion. It is a lot more accepting of different body-types and energies. I love the idea of looking at bone & muscle structure, which we cannot change, over something arbitrary like the fat-based pear-apple-box system. I love that the suggestions are to accentuate your natural beauty instead of squish or hide aspects to fit a generic image of feminine.

I would give this 5 stars, but I wish the stylist, who is still alive!, would update this book for current times. For one, perhaps remove some of the gendered language. Even if you're not talking gender identities, it is still hard to think of yourself as a "masculine" woman and makes it harder to be objective. Two, I would love to see an update on the examples, since it's hard to see his point looking at 80's shoulder pad suits. There are stylists on the internet who digested this book and modernized it, so it's actually not necessary to read it. I am saying that since, point #3, this book is out of print & extremely hard to get a copy of. I got it with a bootleg PDF since it is over $500 on used marketplaces. I think the world is missing out on valuable information.

[Laianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halfway through this book, it had already changed my life. It took me a while to settle on an “Image ID” but now that I have, I feel like I’ve entered a world of possibilities. I love the detailed, practical tips on clothing, hair and makeup. I appreciate that David Kibbe goes out of his way to explain “essence” and objectivity in exploring one’s natural beauty. I wish Metamorphosis was back in print (or better yet, updated for a modern audience) so that I could go back and consult it again and again. Unfortunately, I have to return it to my local library, but the reverence I’ve developed for my body and the Kibbe system will stay with me forever. If you, like me, have spent months online trying to “Kibbe type” yourself, track down this book and read it ASAP. It will be far more helpful than random people on the internet and you will not be disappointed.

[Lana Velkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a Classic (still trying to figure out whether more Soft or Dramatic as it always shows up as balanced in my calculations), and knowing this has been pivotal in my fashion journey. I have been studying Kibbe for a while to understand the whole philosophy as well as the history behind his system. What makes his work really revolutionary is that every aspect of the face and body is addressed, to categorise in a very precise way, any type of female body.

[VY · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt like a combination of reading a beauty magazine without the photos and filling a buzzfeed quiz. One thing I want to praise is the acknowledgement that the beauty industry works towards breeding insecurities in people so they can continue to buy their products. The author seemingly rejects the traditional approach towards beauty, which is confining and limiting the individual, yet I would accuse him of doing a similar thing, although to a lesser degree.

If you are looking for a way to give off a certain 'vibe' through style or makeup, this book is not for you. Instead, it classifies you based on a few quizzes and then summarizes what, according to the author, goes best for the category you chose. This is much more personalized than the classical approach which takes one face as a framework and forces you to try to fit into it by minimizing/highlighting certain features, but still felt very limiting to me. At least the author attempts to provoke you to love your such features by accentuating and appreciating them, instead of trying to conceal them by different means, however, I would like a more flexible approach, which does not put you into the box of your `Image identity`.

My biggest problem with this book is the lack of visual examples. By filling the quizzes, some questions involve your features, which are easily measurable (bone structure, height, weight), but others which rely on `vibe` and what you put out in the world are much more abstract and could be very difficult to answer. Despite the author's suggestions to consult with friends and do the test together, my `test group` could barely answer half the questions, because of their obscurity.
I faced the biggest difficulty when trying to capture my undertones and seasons (which I, admittedly, failed). The test is to drape fabrics of different colors across your face and `feel` which ones make your skin color `radiant`, `glow`, pop off, or muddy, dull and uninspired. In such a book, especially when discussing hairstyles, undertones, haircolors, clothing and accessories, I feel that visual additions should be a must (there were a few in one section, but they are incredibly insufficient). Fashion and vibes are very subjective and what feels `bold` or `muddy` to one may not hold much value for the next person. This major flaw is really hindering and makes it significantly
hard to draw any value from this book.

Lastly, let us assume that we have identified our Image Identity and undertones correctly. Then, what if you want to try a certain haircolor? Could you pick red if you have a cool undertone? According to the author, no - despite being strongly against confining people, this is what he says in the last chapter `debunking` hair color myths:

Myth #5. Any woman can wear any haircolor she chooses, as long as it's well executed and she changes
her makeup to match. - "Of all the `haircolor myths`, this is the silliest as far as I'm concerned!"

This, to me, greatly limits the freedom concerning fashion and individuality the author preaches about and undoes much of his previous attempts to motivate you to explore.

[Calcédoine · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Kibbe's theory of style, based on matching your clothing to the natural yin and yang balance of your body, has gained popularity on the internet in the last decade. His theory had resonated with me from what I had read on blogs and forums, I was thus happy when I finally got my hands on a pdf copy.
However, I found it somewhat disappointing when compared to what is already available on the internet. While I think his yin/yang theory is valuable and can give great results, and that his holistic approach, considering that any woman already has what she needs to be beautiful and that her clothes need to accentuate her characteristics instead of "correcting" her, is very healthy and refreshing, other aspects of the book left me more dubious.
I'm especially not convinced about his linking of the physical traits, classified in thirteen categories such as romantic, classic, dramatic, to an "inner essence" that needs to match the personality. The idea that one needs to change her personality to match her appearance sits very uncomfortable with me and feels frankly offensive.
Aside from that, the fashion references in the book feel quite dated (which is no surprise given that it was published some 40 years ago), but the underlying theory can be adapted to modern taste, which the resources you will find online do very well.
The original book is out of print and doesn't seem to be due for a reissue anytime soon, and I'm not convinced that it really is in need of one (except for historical interest). What would make much more sense would be an updated version, with a more up to date clothing vocabulary, and maybe a refinement of the theory (and hopefully with less woo pertaining to the "inner essence").
On a side note, I was amused to discover that the seasonal color theory, which is very popular with Kibbe's followers, also comes from this book (or is at least present in it). The way it is usually presented is as another theory for enhancing your beauty, but I never saw it explicitly linked to the body types. That's maybe the only part of the book that has some added value in reading, since he explores the interactions between color and body types instead of merely juxtaposing them.

[Kristie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, easy-to-read book that teaches women how to create our own personal image/style that emphasizes our body's natural physical appearance and makes us look and feel like our best authentic self. Kibbe does an excellent job of encouraging women to appreciate the natural physical assets that make each of us unique. The book has a strong positive tone, appreciating the various body shapes and sizes that real women have. No being ashamed of your height or your nose or your curves or your lack of curves.

From the Foreword:

The truth of the matter is, if you can first learn to appreciate the unique creature you truly are, and then simply express your uniqueness in your appearance, you will be beautiful beyond your wildest imaginings! More important, you will feel beautiful in a way, and with a depth, that you have never before experienced.

Kibbe uses the concept of yin (soft) and yang (sharp) to help women categorize ourselves into one of 13 Image Identities ranging from Dramatic (yang) to Romantic (yin). There is a quiz in the book to help you figure out which Image Identity you are. Then, the book goes on to tell women how to dress to match their Image Identity, and how to extend that concept to their hair and makeup. Since the book was written in 1987, there were not a lot of pictures, except for an insert in the middle with before and after pictures of Kibbe's clients in each Image Identity. Having pictures that went along with the quiz would have been very helpful.

This book has been out of print for years and is difficult to find. I was really pleased that I was able to request it through Interlibrary loan at my library. I can't believe the author has not made a new version of this book. The book is a bit dated with the fashions shown and the famous women referenced. It would be awesome to have modern references and additional sections like jeans for the different Image Identities, etc.

[Michele Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

Didn't read the entire thing cover to cover but some of the information is outdated. Once I got to coloring, I noticed that things seemed very repetitive and not specific to the image identities.

[Maranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually reading the book (if possible) gives a greater understanding of Kibbe’s work and of your personal image identity!

[Az H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
great book, amazing guide to fashion and aura, its just that its a bit outdated for 2022

[Isabella · Rating 2 out of 5]

if you fit neatly into the five categories (d, r, c, n, g) then it's easy to understand! but in between? lol good luck

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're a tall girl and like being referred to as large, big, masculine etc.. this book is for you. I found it silly and offensive.

[seriy moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3

[needy lesnicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

what this actually says vs what the internet thinks it says… the cognitive dissonance is baffling.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The styles are very dated, but I think the advice is good. I particularly liked the emphasis on how every woman is beautiful just the way she is. She can add to or detract from her beauty in the way she dresses or does her hair, but there is no “bad” nose or hips or bust, because they’re all a part of you, your total look, just the way you were created.