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The Story of The Face

The Magazine that Changed Culture
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( 39 ratings, 7 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Story of The Face by Paul Gorman delves into the influential British style magazine The Face, exploring its impact on fashion, art, and culture from its inception in the 1980s. It examines how the magazine became a cultural barometer, shaping and reflecting contemporary trends. This book is a comprehensive look at how The Face revolutionised publishing and captivated youth culture during a dynamic era.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the cultural impact of magazines and how they encapsulate trends in fashion, music, and popular culture. It may appeal to readers interested in the evolution of modern aesthetics and the role media plays in shaping public perception and style.

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A landmark publication offering a definitive overview of the rise and fall of the era-defining magazine.

A landmark publication offering a definitive overview of the rise and fall of the era-defining magazine

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Featured on Rough Trade's top 20 Books of the Year list

Launched by NME editor and Smash Hits creator Nick Logan in 1980, The Face was Britain's first youth magazine to present 'youth subject matter' beyond music alone. A strong voice of urban identity in the age of Thatcher, it rapidly became an icon of 'style culture', the benchmark for the very latest trends in music, fashion, photography and film.

The Story of The Face tracks the exciting highs and calamitous lows of the life of the magazine in two parts. Part one focuses on the rise of the magazine in the 1980s, highlighting its striking visual identityβ€”embodied by Neville Brody's era-defining graphic designs, Nick Knight's dramatic fashion photography and the 'Buffalo' styling of Ray Petri. The Face introduced Spandau Ballet and Boy George; Wham! and Sade, and was an early showcase for the works of Robert Mapplethorpe, Bruce Weber and Cindy Sherman.

In 1990, The Face featured a 15-year-old Kate Moss on her first cover campaign. Styled by Melanie Ward, The Face published a series of fresh-faced cover images, an antidote to the glossy Vogue models of the time. Other iconic cover stars included David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Prince, George Michael and Adam Ant.

Part two shows how in the 1990s, after surviving the Jason Donovan libel suit, the magazine heralded the post-acid house era of Britpop and Brit Art, shifting its focus from London to the regions. However, The Face met its eventual demise in 2004. With an introduction by Dylan Jones, The Story of The Face is an engaging behind-the-scenes look at the rise and fall of one of the most influential publications of the 80s and 90s.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Story of The Face by Paul Gorman is widely acclaimed as a celebratory and meticulous chronicle of the British pop culture icon, The Face magazine. Reviews highlight its vibrant presentation, extensive research, and nostalgic appeal, often describing it as a definitive and richly crafted work. The book is praised for its detailed exploration of the magazine's influence on music, fashion, and social issues, alongside its stunning imagery and innovative design.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780500293478

Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 November 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Illustration: 379 Illustrations, color

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 243.0mm

Height: 301.0mm

Weight: 2130g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Paul Gorman is a journalist, author and commentator on visual culture. He has written a number of books including The Look: Adventures in Rock & Pop Fashion, Reasons to be Cheerful: The Life & Work of Barney Bubbles and Derek Boshier: Rethink / Re-entry. He has staged a number of exhibitions in the UK and France, and is currently a writer at large for GQ.

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