The Sartorialist

Author: Scott Schuman

Pages: 507

Published: Penguin, 2009

Genre: Nonfiction/Fashion photography

Overall Grade: A

Scott Schuman just wanted to take pictures of people on the street who looked great. His now renowned fashion blog, The Sartorialist, was an attempt to showcase the wonderful and varied style of real people--not only those of the fashion industry. This book is an anthology of Scott's favorite shots from around the world, including well-known fashion figures, as well as shots of anonymous passersby whose outfits are created with comendable imagination and taste. From the streets of Rio to Beijing, Stockholm to Milan, these are the people that have inspired Scott and in turn, inspired designers and people of all ages, wage and nationalities with an interest in fashion.

My thoughts: The Sartorialist is a book that I want to keep around--sitting on my

dresser as a source of inspiration when I'm getting dressed in the morning, resting on my coffee table when I want a dash of beauty in my day, in my hand as I commute home from school. A collection of beautiful, glossy, color shots, this book truly satisfies the fashion junkie within me.

One of the best things about this anthology is that it is light on words and heavy on images--showing, and not telling, about the extraordinary and unusual job of Mr. Schuman, and the people he meets and encounters on a daily basis, picking them out of a crowd.

I spent a whole afternoon combing through the book and taking notes on my favorite outfits. The book is small (ideal for travel!), but packed full of funny anecdotes, memorable faces, and unique looks that make me want to paw through my closet and put together my own polished outfits.

Mr. Schuman is beyond a "fashion photographer"--he is a portrait artist,

capturing the personality and inner essence of every person he photographs. The way he photographs clothes gives readers tiny glimpses into the private lives of his subjects--the holes in the shoes of the tiny woman on one of the glossy, minimalistic pages hints at a difficult life, but her brightly colored bag is a spark of hope.

Some of the outfits are good enough to be replicated, some are quirky and bizarre, and yet others are stunning takes on "fashion" that you want to hang on your walls.

I will definitely continue reading The Sartorialist blog daily, and this chunky book of style makes a great gift for a fashion or photography-crazy friend.