Beene by Beene is a journey through Geoffrey Beene's life in fashion, a 40-year exploration that was, by turns, visionary, witty, irreverent, iconic, and timeless. His work was of such powerful clarity, such complete complicity betwewen form and function that it actually teaches us as all works of art do how to look. A defining American artist, Geoffrey Beene towers in his field.

Pamela A. Parmal provides a chronological survey of Mr. Beene's career as a fashion designer and discusses the evolution of his work. Chapters focus on themes or influences-- Woman, Body, Fabric, Comfort, Geometry, Sport, Culture that were a constant source of inspiration to the designer. Beene won the attention and admiration of other artists, and here we see his work through the eyes of renowned photographers and illustrators, even filmmakers and choreographers.

Geoffrey Beene died in September 2004, before this book could be published, but he was intimately involved with its creation, including the editing of the text, the photo selection, and the book design.

About the Contributor(s)

James Wolcott is a columnist at Vanity Fair, where he writes on popular culture, politics, and the media.

Marylou Luther is the editor of The International Fashion Syndicate and the creative director for The Fashion Group International.

Laura Jacobs is the dance critic for The New Criterion and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair.

Pamela A. Parmal is Curator of Textile and Fashion at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.