Tartan: Romancing the Plaid [Hardcover]

William “Braveheart” Wallace did battle in it. Queen Victoria decked Balmoral in it. Madonna donned it to strut around the stage. Tartan, the beloved symbol of kin, clan and nation to the Scots, has evolved into the one of the world’s favorite fabrics. Serving as inspiration for designers of everything from haute couture to furniture, tartan mania is in full swing. Fashion world insiders Jeffrey Banks and Doria de La Chapelle have written the definitive book on tartan, bringing together a dizzying array of images to tell the story of tartan’s humble beginnings to its current status as the ultimate emblem of great taste and high fashion. In addition to chronicling tartan enthusiasts from every age–including the incomparably fashionable Duke of Windsor whose closet was jam-packed with tartan kilts–Tartanprofiles the designers who’ve made tartan an integral part of their work, from punk-inspired provocateurs Vivienne Westwood, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Alexander McQueen to the more refined fashions of titan Ralph Lauren and Burberry. The perfect mix of a fashion and lifestyle book, this volume explores the global phenomena of tartan mania. This luxurious book explores the rise of tartan from its humble Highland origins to high fashion and home decor. . . After reading the book, you'll be digging through your closet for that Alexander McQueen tartan Empire-waist dress or balenciage plaid mini bell skirt to wear to your next Highland fling.  
-ENTREE HOLIDAY MAGAZINERosemarie Bravois the CEO of Burberry.Jeffrey Banksis a Coty award-winning designer of men’s and women’s apparel. Banks has worked with a number of Scottish fabric mills designing tartans of his own.Doria de La Chapelleis a freelance writer and publicist. After covering fashion and beauty for Mademoiselle, she worked as advertising director at Henri Bendel.CN