America may be a nation obsessed with automobiles, but today the bicycle is giving the car a run for its money. And while New York is just one of many cities that is implementing new and exciting bike-friendly policies, the local cyclist population stands out as one of the most diverse, inventive, and stylish in the world. New York Bike Style celebrates this diversity with full-page photographs of riders and their bikes. Photographer Sam Polcer has combed New York's five boroughs looking for subjects who reflect the myriad styles and demographics of the city's cyclists — from Puerto Rican Schwinn aficionados celebrating their heritage with vintage bikes to fixed gear freaks who eat, sleep, and breathe drop handlebars; BMX kids honing their bar-spins at skateparks to fashionistas floating down leaf-strewn streets in capes and dresses. Each page is captioned with the subject's name, what kind of bike they ride, where the photo was taken, and where they're headed. The book also features close-up shots of gear: wheels, seats, handlebars, baskets, pedals, and panniers as well as a startlingly stylish array of bike fashion. Whether they're pedaling to work or play, racing with a club, or out for a lazy ride, New York Bike Style pays photographic tribute a city in love with biking in all its forms.

Famed photojournalist and founder of Magnum Photos, Robert Capa was primarily known for his black-and-white images. But after World War II he turned increasingly to colour, fulfilling assignments for a variety of popular magazines such as Life and Holiday. This volume reproduces Capa's colour images in a wide variety of forms including prints, magazine spreads, book jackets, and other ephemera, revealing the photographer at a point in his career when his role as director of Magnum required that he keep up with current technology — both as a business decision and a way of capturing new assignments. This book also features contextualising essays by International Center of Photography curator Cynthia Young and photo historian Sally Stein, travel writings by Capa and assignment collaborators John Steinbeck and Irwin Shaw, and brief essays providing background on various pieces of reportage.

Salvador Dali's flamboyant moustache, Richard Nixon jumping in the West Wing, Grace Kelly's amazing profile — these are just a few of the images that achieved iconic status and helped make photographer Philippe Halsman an icon in his own right. Comprising hundreds of photographs and insightful accompanying texts, this volume explores Halsman's oeuvre in a variety of aspects. It examines his early career exhibiting works at the avant-garde La Pleiade Gallery in Paris; his experiments with portraiture, particularly the series of stunning images of Marilyn Monroe and his more than 100 covers for Life magazine; his pictures of the contemporary art scene that include famous dancers, movie stars, stage actors, and musicians and the birth of his jumpology concept; and his unique, 30-year collaboration with Salvador Dali, including a book devoted entirely to the artist's moustache. Anyone interested in portraiture, celebrity, or surrealist photography will marvel at the breadth and magnificence of Halsman's work, which is definitively presented in this beautiful volume.

Renowned and highly regarded for his experiments with literature, painting, film and music, William S. Burroughs's photographic work, consisting of several thousand photographs, has so far received little critical attention or sustained public exposure. This book, reproducing many previously unseen images, offers fascinating insights into Burroughs's photographic practices, as well as convincing evidence that his photographic work should be considered a significant aspect of his entire oeuvre. It includes portraits and self-portraits, location shots from his travels in Europe, the Americas, and North Africa, photographs of construction and demolition sites, and his individual and collaborative experiments with photomontage, assemblage, and collage. Essays by internationally acclaimed scholars of photography and Burroughs's work in general offer a variety of critical perspectives on his photographic oeuvre, examining its sources, methodologies, biographical contexts, influences, and purposes. Certain to appeal to Burroughs's many devoted fans, this publication also coincides with a recent revival of critical and cultural interest in the 1960s art scene and the Beat Generation's writers and artists. Published in association with The Photographers' Gallery.

Few people ask, What is a painting? A drawing? A sculpture? But the medium of photography, especially since the 1970s, has been constantly changing as technological developments allow for endless experimentation — until the very definition of a photograph becomes ripe for debate. Beginning with the waning days of conceptual art, this book presents a wide variety of artists — among them James Welling, Christopher Williams, Uta Barth, Marco Breuer, Alison Rossiter, Parker Ito, Sigmar Polke, and Gerhard Richter — who have reconsidered and reinvented the role of light, color, composition, materiality, and subject in the art of photography. Brought together for the first time in book form, these individuals have found new ways of implementing both analog and digital technology, in many cases creating hybrid works that open up new possibilities for today's artists. Filled with brilliant colour reproductions, this volume not only traces the many strands of experimentation that have developed out of conceptual art, but also encourages dialogue on the continuing experimentation that is occurring as photography continues to evolve within the analogue and digital worlds. Published in association with the International Center of Photography.

Looking for something new to try in the kitchen? How about a delicious dinner in which each course — from appetizer to dessert — is the same colour? It may sound impossible, but as this cookbook proves, colour-coded cooking is not only possible but also delectable. Divided into twelve colour-based chapters, the recipes range from saffron lemon ravioli to melon soup to blueberry tartlets, all arranged in four-course meals of two starters, one main course, one dessert and three drinks. These carefully tested recipes use only natural ingredients and no artificial colours and are as easy to prepare as they are to behold on the table. Brilliant photographs of the complete menu as well as individual ingredients will appeal to aesthetic and eclectic cooks — and the results are sure to create memorable meals that lead to further experimentation in the kitchen.

Exploring a high point in the cultural exchange between China and Japan, this volume presents forty masterpieces of the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties that made their way to Japanese collectors and museums. These paintings are significant as mirrors of the two cultures. The book explores themes including the role of Japan in preserving a key parts of China's cultural and artistic heritage; the aspects of Japanese identity that derive from traditional Chinese culture; the use of Chinese paintings as models for key traditions of Japanese painting; and the use of Chinese paintings as status symbols in Japan. Filled with exquisite reproductions, the book discusses each painting in depth, including its religious or secular narrative and provenance in China and Japan. Published in association with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The manicure as we know it has been around for less than a century, but it's become a major presence in the culture of fashion, with its own trends, fads, and fringe aspects. This first definitive history of the manicure looks at the myriad ways in which the adorned fingernail has served as an expression of the individual and the times. Author Suzanne E. Shapiro traces the origins of the modern manicure as a radical gesture in style and follows it through today's culture of ubiquitous nail salons and edgy experiments in nail art, showing how at every turn the manicure has reflected larger style trends as well as changing ideals of femininity. Nails draws on an incredible range of pop-cultural images, from early 20th century beauty manuals and classic Hollywood glamour shots to hip-hop music videos and fine art. It also features gorgeous nail-centric images from iconic fashion photographers including Nickolas Muray, Richard Avedon, and Guy Bourdin. A series of contemporary photo essays rounds out the volume with an international survey of the most vital pockets of manicure culture today: from hipster nails in London to outre nail art in Tokyo. Unique, accessible, and authoritative, Nails brilliantly connects the painted nail to the history of women's fashion and the evolution of beauty.

Lavishly illustrated and thematically arranged, Fashion Muse looks at the many iterations a muse can take: Greek goddess, fairy-tale princess, wife, lover, supermodel, celebrity, and artist. A prominent art historian with a profound knowledge of the culture of fashion, Debra N. Mancoff delves far and wide to present pairings both familiar and surprising, including the first couturier Charles Frederick Worth and his wife; Elsa Schiaparelli and the Surrealists; Yves Saint Laurent and the painter Mondrian; Oleg Cassini and Jacqueline Kennedy; and Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy. She reveals numerous designers whose muse was their own image, from Coco Chanel to Diane von Furstenberg to the Olsen twins. And she examines the influence of figures from the worlds of art, celebrity, and pop culture. Entertaining, inspiring, and surprising, this enthralling exploration places the muse where he or she belongs: at the highest peaks of the creative process.

Alphonse Mucha is known largely for having originated Art Nouveau, when his poster of the actress Sarah Bernhardt became a legendary icon of the movement. Mucha went on to design hundreds of pieces in the decorative arts field, but later distanced himself from the style he pioneered, devoting his time and energy to painting. This book presents the full array of Mucha's artistic contributions — not only his posters and jewellery designs but also his design for the pavilion of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 1900 world's fair. The book also contains his works on canvas, which include pastels and frescoes and his magnum opus, The Slavic Epic, a series of 20 paintings depicting the history of his native people. A stunning selection of 700 colour illustrations is accompanied with essays that explore Mucha's style and inspirations, his transition away from the decorative arts and his forays into photography. Fans of Art Nouveau will treasure this dazzling and unique study of the artist and his contributions to design and illustration.

For over one hundred years, men and women around the world have been dressing up as their favourite characters from movies, games, comics, TV and books. Beginning as a curiosity and hobby for social outcasts, it's now a global phenomenon, fuelled by the Internet and an explosion in geek fandom. This in-depth look at the world of cosplay includes interviews with the stars, photographers and props builders, offers insights into cosplay's history, current landscape and explains its creative processes, like how to build the perfect costume. Cosplay World features over two hundred compelling photographs, showcasing everything from campy 70's costumes to cutting-edge suits engineered in workshops and built using space-age materials. The result is both a celebration and serious look at a popular means of self-expression that continues to fascinate.

A member of the historic Magnum Photos cooperative, Dennis Stock took classic portraits of actors, jazz singers, and hippies, as well as photographs of the natural beauty of Hawaii, the Far East, Japan, and Alaska. Arguably, Stock's most famous portrait is of the actor James Dean walking through Times Square in 1955 — the year of his death. The image quickly became a symbol and precursor of the youth movement of the 1960s. Stock's relationship with Dean is the subject of a new film, Life, chronicling Dean and Stock's travels across the US. In addition to the portraits of Dean, this collection includes a dazzling selection from Stock's oeuvre. An insightful essay introduces the photographer along with an extensive biography.

What did Vogue's first cover look like? When did film stars become part of the fashion industry? What led to the development of ready-to-wear clothing? How did the paintings of Mondrian, Dali and Warhol end up on the runway? These and other questions are answered in this eye-opening look at different aspects of the history of fashion — from Elizabeth I's Mask of Youth, to Lady Gaga's meat dress. Arranged by topic, the lavishly illustrated chapters explore themes such as war and the military; ready-to wear; fashion in film, art, and sports; celebrity; gay and lesbian fashion; globalization and the internet. Fashion That Changed the World digs into a multitude of social, economic and cultural factors that changed the course of fashion over the last few hundred years. Filled with colourful images — many of them full-page — and extensive essays that are both informative and engaging, this indispensable reference offers a historical snapshot of what we used to wear and why we choose the clothes that we do today.

Throughout the history of art most of the world's greatest artists have produced portraits at some point in their careers, whether commissioned by rulers or magnates; created to preserve a cherished friend or relation; or even to capture the artist's own likeness. Arranged chronologically, each of the 50 masterworks in this book exemplifies a moment in history, or a turning point in the artist's career. Van Eyck's A Man in a Turban, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, Sargent's Madame X, Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Necklace, Warhol's Marilyn and many more world-famous paintings are featured in exquisite full-page reproductions accompanied by engaging and enlightening texts. An introductory essay on the history and importance of the portrait in art history and brief biographies of each artist round out this survey that provides valuable information in an attractive and affordable package.

The Chief Sports Photographer of the London Times, Marc Aspland has been capturing the beauty and drama of sports for a quarter of a century. This elegant and luxuriously designed book contains more than one hundred images from the photographer's personal archive. Some of the most prominent figures in world sport, such as David Beckham, Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Mike Tyson, Jessica Ennis, Roger Federer, and Jonny Wilkinson, are captured in penetrating and eye opening images. Whether he's documenting pivotal moments in Champions League football, matches at Wimbledon, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup, or the Olympics, Aspland, in the words of Oliver Holt, transcends the action to take in the indomitability of the human spirit; the quest for perfection and fulfilment; and reflects the breathtaking beauty of the world around us. Fans of sports, photography, and portraiture will find something to astonish them on every page of this exciting retrospective.

Known for his spontaneous and imaginative interpretation of the world around him, Joan Miro is one of the most popular artists of the 20th century. His carefree, almost childlike works are at once universal and magical. This beautiful collection of works is arranged chronologically, allowing readers to appreciate the evolution of Miro's themes based on his observation of nature and its transformation in his symbolic language. Each chapter opens with an introductory text and features full-colour illustrations. From his earliest, more figurative works such as Vegetable Garden with Donkey and The Church and Village at Mont-Roig, to more abstract works such as Catalan Peasant with a Guitar and Woman, Bird, Stars, the full range of Miro's oeuvre is on display. Readers will understand how Miro incorporated images of moons, stars, comets, birds, and women into his art, while appreciating his poetic interpretation of these familiar objects. Essays by Miro scholars as well as a text by the artist himself round out this celebration of a painter, sculptor, and draughtsman whose unwavering delight in ordinary objects is both infectious and inspiring. Exhibition, Albertina Museum, Vienna, 12th September 2014‒ 11th January 2015.

One of the few under-examined aspects of Picasso's life and work was his love of animals. The son of a pigeon breeder and an aficionado of bullfighting, Picasso had an eye trained for capturing an animal's movement, shape, and personality — often with just a single line. Organised around the different types of animals that played a role in the artist's life and body of work — from his beloved dachshund, Lump, to dogs, cats, camels, penguins, pigs, and doves, among others — each chapter offers personal accounts, amusing anecdotes, and wondrous works of arts. The perfect gift for lovers of animals or Picasso's art, this exquisite treasury of expertly rendered creatures is filled with humour, warmth, and the tremendous bonds between man and animal.

Killer Heels explores the rich cultural history of the high heel and its relation to power, fantasy, sexuality and identity. More than 160 spectacular contemporary and historical shoe designs — from sixteenth-century Venetian platforms to twenty-first-century Christian Louboutins — are presented around six themes: Revival and Reinterpretation, Rising in the East, Glamour and Transgression, Architecture, Metamorphosis and Space Walk. Going beyond the archetypal forms of stiletto, wedge and platform, these extraordinary designs play with the cultural and artistic possibilities of the high heel, use innovative or unexpected materials and push the limits of functionality, wear ability and beauty. Complementing the shoes are stills, sketches and artist statements for six films specially commissioned for the exhibition from Ghada Amer and Reza Farkhondeh, Zach Gold, Steven Klein, Nick Knight, Marilyn Minter and Rashaad Newsome that explore a range of provocative themes and demonstrate the power of the high heel in the collective imagination. In addition, several of the designers included in the exhibition (including Brian Atwood, Zaha Hadid, Pierre Hardy and Christian Louboutin), along with Elizabeth Semmelhack, Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum, contribute thoughts on topics such as their inspiration and design process and the cultural significance of high heels. Beautiful, informative and just plain fun, this collection of killer heels is filled with stunning photos and fashion lore. Published in association with the Brooklyn Museum, New York. Exhibition: Brooklyn Museum, New York, 10th September 2014 to 15th February 2015.