Synopses & Reviews
In the course of the twentieth century, glamor has been associated primarily with the cinema and its stars, though fashion, "high society", popular music, shopping, glossy magazines, and advertising have all sought to harness its allure. Yet few people know anything of the origins or uses of the aura of excitement that are associated with glamour. The authors trace the history and current power of glamor as a language of visual seduction.
Synopsis
In the course of the twentieth century glamour was associated primarily with cinema, although the theatre, fashion, high society, popular music, glossy magazines and department stores have all sought to harness its allure. It is usually associated with 'magic' and suggests a capacity to dazzle and seduce. Yet glamour's origins and meanings have never until now been thoroughly examined. For many, it is simply the aura of excitement and mystery that has surrounded the famous and the desirable from time immemorial. By contrast, this innovative book traces the origins of glamour to the nineteenth century and identifies it as a core feature of consumer culture. The authors examine the way that a language of visual seduction has been associated with a variety of social milieux and used to arouse envy and interest, mainly in commercial settings. They also illustrate eight distinct permutations of glamour, each of which has a complex history and is in continual evolution.
Synopsis
The first systematic view of the origins, history and varieties of glamor.
About the Author
STEPHEN GUNDLE is Professor of Italian Cultural History at Royal Holloway, University of London. CLINO CASTELLI is a professional designer based in Milan, Italy, and the founder of Castelli Design Milano.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements * Introduction * PART 1: THE ORIGINS OF GLAMOUR * Glamour, Consumerism and the Modern City * The Gender of Glamour * Hollywood Lifestyles * PART 2: THE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF GLAMOUR * Exotic Enticements * Sensational Gold * Clamorous Chroma * Captivating Metals * Magnetic Values * Glittering Media * Thrilling Graphics * Alluring Plastics * Conclusion * Notes * Bibliography * Index