The Look

During the 5th century A.D., the Goths, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and Vandals swept across Western Europe pillaging and looting and generally acting like a bunch of barbarians, which, incidentally, is what they were. These groups eventually gave way to more "civil" peoples like the French and German. But to get a taste of that old pushing, shoving, and truncheoning lifestyle, you're best bet today would probably be either the spring or autumn fashion show in Paris. From "cottonfields to catwalks," the 1.3 trillion dollar fashion industry is given a very thorough, critical, and amusing once-over in the presently definitive overview of the subject: The Look. We watched the first two volumes in the series, Runway and Scenting Money. Runway offers a truly behind-the-scenes ogle at a fashion show: watching as people scalp invitations in the parking lot, and following the mass of caterwauling (but extremely well-dressed) humanity that pours into the hot tent built to hold the runway and chairs. The major attraction, of course, is the endless line of supermodels who walk down the runway in $50,000 outfits that are remarkable both for their ugliness and probable discomfort...and for the fact most women wouldn't give these pieces a second glance let alone wear them. That's why designer clothes are expensive (small clientele), and it's also why the high fashion industry loses money hand over fist. Surprised? The real source for the money appears in the second episode, Scenting Money, where viewers see how perfumes and licensing deals (for the use of names like Armani, Lauren, Versace, etc.) are where the big bucks lie. Other titles in the series are: Power of the Press, Uniform and Function, The Material World, and Yves Saint Laurent. An outstanding series for those libraries which can afford it. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)