As far as the format of this book goes - it's much better than what I've expected it to be. What I've thought would just be a narrative about the lives, led on by their portraits embellishing the cover, turned out to be something completely different. A gorgeous book full of inspiring interviews with influential people working in the art, fashion and design industry. Diane von Furstenberg, John Galliano, Lauren Hutton, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Loboutin or Terry Richardson... Each of them had a story to tell (some more compelling than others) and each of them at least had a little detail after which you could, "Ok, well at least reading this wasn't a complete waste of time.." The thing I enjoyed the most during the reading & browsing experience was the layout. It was simply beyond incredible! I've been taking snapshots of countless pages as inspiration, this is pretty much what I want a book to look like, if there's ever one released under my name :D Take a mix of polaroid snapshots, gorgeous high quality photographs, stunningly arranged collages, with some surprisingly added in scans of letters or other memorabilia. And there you go, perfection at your fingertips. Oh and the typography. That was just love at first sight.The only thing which was a bit of disappointment are the interview skills and techniques of the Olsens'. They were the ones leading the talks with all the participants of this collection of "influence" stories. I believe that if they would've been thought through and prepared with a bit more details, the full potential of storytelling would have been taken advantage of, rather than just barely touched on the surface.All in all, it's just been a huge pleasure every time I held in my hands, so a well deserved 4 out of 5 stars. For the twins age of 22 back when the book has been put together, it definitely turned out well. Though my biggest shoutout goes to people like Rodrgio Corral & Ben Wiseman (the art director & designer of the book)! Twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (of Full House fame) interviewed people in the art and fashion world who have influenced and inspired them in their own artistic and fashion endeavors. The interviews, though focused on their subjects, do reveal thoughts, motivations, tastes etc of the interviewers (the Olsen sisters) through points of connections with the interview subjects.This is great book for diving into something completely different. It has a great energy as it features people and ideas from all over the world and the work, both of the girls and the guts they had to sit across the table from some pretty powerful people as well as that of the individual artists, is inspiring. I really liked the premise of this book in that all of the interviews and ideas tied into an overall theme as large as "influence." It was an exploration of people, art, expression, connection, and growth.
What do You think about Influence (2008)?
its a product of the olsen twins....obviously it is incredible.
—Kedi
Beautiful images, interesting take on the fashion world.
—anitah23
so conceited and eye-roll inducing. but not bad...
—nickkkolas
