A book of dangerous and smiling chances
Including ‘The Philosophy of Dress’ by Oscar Wilde
Written and Edited by John Cooper
This Artisan & Hand-Packaged Book
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Late Victorians began to contemplate a bold, astonishing idea: that perhaps women might simply be free to dress... freely. Amidst an unlikely confederation of physicians, clothing designers, teetotalers, feminists, sexologists, actors & artists this wild notion found its most eloquent proponent in Oscar Wilde.
His essay ‘The Philosophy Of Dress’ – rediscovered by author John Cooper – forms the centerpiece of this unique & riveting collection of Wilde’s writings on dress & fashion.
Extravagantly designed & copiously illustrated, this facinating book will be of profound interest not just to Wildeans & students of fashion, but anyone interested in aesthetics, beauty & freedom.
That rare thing: a Wildean book that is at once new, necessary, and beautiful.
Matthew Sturgis
Author: Oscar Wilde: A Life
(Alfred A. Knopf)
Beautiful & brilliant–the only book about Wilde I can imagine Wilde himself wanting to own.
Rob Marland
Editor: Oscar Wilde: The Complete Interviews (Little Eye)
The serious, the thoughtful Oscar Wilde is all too often hidden behind his trademark wit and humour, but his multiple reflections on 'Dress', here brilliantly assembled and edited by John Cooper, now rectify some of that imbalance in his reputation. A must-read for all committed Wildeans.
Merlin Holland
Author: After Oscar: The Legacy of a Scandal
(Europa Editions)
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