An elegant visual journey. Travel through scenes captured by renowned photographers through their lenses, a photo book by LOUIS VUITTON | LOUIS VUITTON
LOUIS VUITTON | LOUIS VUITTON
Text & Photo by KITAHARA Toru
FASHION /
NEWS
September 29, 2021
There is an elegant journey through the eyes of photographers. You might want to experience cities guided by the literal perspective of a photographer, a viewpoint entirely different from a guidebook. Perhaps due to travel restrictions during the pandemic, or because some cities are simply hard to visit. This is where "Fashion Eye" offers a visual, and in a sense, virtual experience. An invitation to an elegant journey, all in one volume! A fashionable and thrilling travel style.
I don't recall where I saw it, but I remember being surprised by a travel wardrobe, thinking they could create something so massive. It was, without exaggeration, an image of traveling while staying home. The wardrobe was adorned with LOUIS VUITTON's monogram and had a substantial feel.
Perhaps LOUIS VUITTON's approach to travel is more profound than imagined. They seem to have an approach that considers travel from multiple angles.
It was then that I discovered such depth. This is the "Fashion Eye" photo book series. Initially, I was unaware that LOUIS VUITTON even published books. That was the first surprise. This appears to be the third series, following the "Louis Vuitton City Guide" and "Travel Book," but it is indeed a series of photo books focusing on the photographer's "Eye." Several photographers who have influenced me were among the lineup, so I felt compelled to buy them.
I purchased "Venice" by Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), flipping through it initially. There was a specific reason I absolutely had to have this particular volume. While each photograph unfolds scenes that are rarely seen today (or were impossible to see in their time), what caught my eye even more was the design within.
The design, reminiscent of Cecil Beaton pasting prints into his own album (like a primitive summer homework assignment), appears with every turn of the page. Reading the descriptions, it seems Cecil Beaton favored diaries, and that feeling leaps from the pages. It feels so much like his work that I suspect the design itself might be by Cecil Beaton. It's as if the handmade quality was directly translated into the photo book.
Starting with this volume, I went on to purchase three more by photographers I admire.
Sarah Moon captured the "Orient Express" with her distinctive tone. This series documents the journey from Istanbul to Paris aboard the Orient Express. I felt as though I was experiencing a simulated journey through the scenes of her muse, Suzanne, gazing out the train window. Moon's unique framing of the scenery is also noteworthy. It became enjoyable, feeling as though my vision merged with the photographer's. Incidentally, Sarah Moon is one of the photographers I aspire to emulate.
I also purchased another volume by a photographer I admire: Peter Lindbergh's "Berlin." Although there isn't much information available online, it's a book that can be enjoyed even without explanations. Despite being landscape photography, Lindbergh's signature style is unmistakably present. While travel photography often focuses solely on landscapes, this book also features many shots of models, showcasing his true strength in capturing their beauty. It felt as though I had a conversation with my mentor, realizing the importance of playing to one's strengths.
And then, Saul Leiter's "New York." This can only be described as the world of Saul Leiter (though the same applies to the others). You'll recognize it as a Saul Leiter work. The red umbrella is, of course, included. This volume takes a different approach compared to Cecil Beaton's "Venice." It reproduces pages from the free paper "Six," published by COMME des GARÇONS in 1988. As you turn the pages, you'll notice that, unlike the preceding pages, the sequence starting from the "Six" cover changes the paper quality. Although the texture differs from "Six," the editor's? designer's? intention to create a distinct atmosphere for this section is truly appreciated.
The cover, with its fabric texture and pasted photograph (a binding I particularly like), makes this series a stylish decorative piece for any interior.
Some volumes are already out of stock, so I anticipate the used book market will become quite active. Get yours soon.