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Grady Harp wrote on 12/25/2011:

Jason Salzenstein is a creative consultant, fashion editor, and award-winning film producer whose interests and scope of work covers all areas of design. He studied in Paris, worked with Hollywood celebrities for Dolce and Gabbana, and has contributed to publications around the world. His clients are global, but he calls Boston, Los Angeles and Seattle home. Last year he presented the audience with his very fine book BRIEF ENCOUNTERS and this year he continues to explore the 'hidden world' of men's underwear. Now that underwear has become a fashion designator all its own there is still competition (pardon the pun) among fashion designers to come up with styles that are unique, that consider comfort for the wearer but that also can be appreciated for style. Who hasn't noticed the ads for Calvin Klein or Jockey underwear and the big name models and movie stars who support those ads?

Bruno Gmünder Verlag knows a fine topic when one comes along and so here is an even better version of Swimwear Inspires Art. Once again Jason Salzenstein has gathered information about this fashion form, written some very fine essays about his chosen topic, and then has provided page after page of companies who make underwear and swimwear. Some of the designer firms represented here are well known and others will become well known after this book has circulated! Aussiebum, 2EROS, Baskit, Ca-Rio-Ca, ES Collection, Craig Port, Timoteo, Andrew Christian, Pistol Pete, Teamm8, Papenberg, Skmpeez, Good Devil, Rufskin, Narciso - each of these companies have their goods placed on exceptional models to sell their product and it is this form of photography we see here, richly colorful, graced by land and sea, and very sensual.

The second half of the book is devoted to examples of some of the finest photographers of models in swimwear/underwear and each photographer is given visual representation as well as a brief bio explaining their CV and gifts. This book is a high quality outline of fashion for men. It would be as appropriate gift for women as for men as there is no nudity in the book at all. But as is often said, the more left to the imagination ....the better! TRUNK SHOW: SWIMWEAR INSPIRES ART is a hefty, beautifully designed source of inspiration and satisfaction, and a fine way to demonstrate the fine art of Advertising!

Grady Harp