The Rise of the Stylist by Clarke is a focused look at “the stylist's growing recognition in British fashion publishing at a certain moment in time” (p. 2). The investigation of Clarke is laid out in six chapters, supplemented by an introduction, a conclusion, 16 color plates, and, most notably, an appendix with brief biographies of the 18 people interviewed for the book and transcripts of three interviews... Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

Choice

The fresh immediacy of this work captures and reproduces the energy and liveliness of the stylists who contributed to 1980s fashion design. Weaving together the voices of stylists themselves with detailed political, social and cultural analysis, this work is a must for anyone interested in 80s street fashion, subculture, clubbing, representation and image politics.

Peter McNeil, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

An absorbing and much needed deep dive into the emergence and establishment of the fashion stylist in London in the 1980s. Through visual analysis of styled editorial and adverting images and original interviews with key players in British fashion, Clark's academically rigorous research offers a new and fascinating insight into the role and contribution of stylists in a significant period in British fashion publications.

Shaun Cole, Winchester School of Art, UK

An incisive, accessible study of how the stylist became a pivotal player in fashion image-making. Essential reading for people seeking to understand the culture and people that defined one of the most important roles within the contemporary fashion industry.

Dr Benjamin Wild, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Every image you see has been styled - conceived, considered and constructed by a host of, for the most part, anonymous imagemakers. Finally a book that acknowledges and unpicks the role and impact of the stylist as a modern, pop culture phenomenon. Clark's tribute to the profession makes for a elucidating read that brings together politics, postmodernism and a whole lot of personal style.

Professor Iain R Webb, Kingston School of Art, UK