The Art of Being You

With contributions from leading art and fashion world figures such as German Celant, and Ingrid Sischy, and stunning photographs by Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and Steven Meisel, The Art of Being You is a fitting tribute to this revered genius of design. While Versace's legacy to the world of fashion and popular culture remains incalculable, particularly so now after his tragic death, Versace himself was inspired by contemporary artists and the great modern masters of the early 20th century. The Art of Being You chronicles the development of the Versace look and demonstrates the myriad ways in which art has influenced the designer's style. Drawing on the work of illustrious artists such as Picasso, Kandinsky, and Léger, and of more recent figures such as Jim Dine, David Hockney and Roy Lichtenstein, Versace melded history, pop culture, and his own unique sensibilities to create the inimitable style that bears his signature. Gianni Versace's lifelong passion for art together with his own visionary imagination have left us an extraordinarily vibrant body of work--and certainly one of the most original creative legacies of our time. This richly illustrated volume presents a candid look at the many sources of Versace's inspiration. Germano Celant is a critic and curator of the 1997 Biennale di Venezia and organizer of the 1996 Biennale di Firenze. Ingrid Sischy is the editor of Interview and was a contributor to Rock and Royalty. Frank Moore and Julian Schnabel are both New York-based artists. Richard Martin is curator of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.