A Pallete of Style Books

We've been diving into our favorite book shop or magazine shop just to get any book or magazine that would help us with our everyday fashion lives...it's also hard to find a book that has huge and complete content on it.

Here are some fashion books that would complete our day and would answer our questions with regards to fashion and style.

The Way We Wore: Black Style Then by Micheal McCollom (Glitterati Inc.). The clothes, the hair, the attitude and all fabulousness that make us timeless architechs of style are wonderfully captured in this photographic retrospective. The fact that only a few of the photos were taken by professional photographer enriches the collection with an unposed and rehearsed authencity.-YKL

Effortless Style by June Ambrose with Richard Buskin (Sion Spotlight Entertainment). Do you want to step onto your very own red carpet every single day? Ambrose, style maven extraordinaire, equips you with the essential knowledge you need to live a fashionista's fabulous life. According to Ambrose, the most important ingredient is self-confidence, not a closet chock-full of designer names.-YKL

While style is about how you look, it's not just the right shoes, or the perfect necktie. It's also how you live. Of course, if you've glanced at Micheal Henry Adam's Style and Grace: African Americans at Home (Bulfinch Press), we're preaching to the choir. Style and Grace not only reintroduces us to some of black American's greatest minds, it also shows us stunning images of their homes-often reflection of their tennant's brilliance-SW

The T-shirt can be worn anywhere! At least that's the philosophy behind T-shirt Makovers: 20 Transformations for Fabulous Fashions (Glitterati Inc.), a fun, new book authored by the clothing design duo known as Sistahs of Harlem (Carmina Marshall and Carmen Webber). Their book is a step-by-step guide that will teach you everything you need to know about how to turn regulat T-shirts into wearable masterpieces. Grab your scissors, ladies, because it's easier than you think.-ESS




Just How I picture It in My Mind: Contemporary African American Quilts from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts by Mary Elizabeth Johnson Huff (River City Publishing) describes a unique collection of Southern-made quilts that range from the traditional patterns of stars and stripes to "story quilts" about Jackie Robinson and Elvis. Behind each of the 48 quilts featured in this book lies a story told in images, patterns and words, expressed by a group of African American quilters.-NG

How to be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous For Less (Ballantine Books) is a smart, fun book that teaches readers how to be conscietious consumers while still looking fabulous. Kathryn Finney's cost-cutting tips for spotting high-end on Ebay, consignment shops, outlet malls will help you look chic for cheap.

(source: UPTOWN magazine Vol. 3 issue 9)