Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon

Seid, owner of the Vera Company, and Renzi, a former senior editor at Interior Design, attempt to create a thorough portrait of Vera Neumann's (1907–1993) personal and professional life as one of the most influential designers and entrepreneurs of the late 20th century. Readers looking for a serious art historical perspective will wince at the colorful prints and forced attempt at contextualizing their significance, but Neumann herself conceived of her work as a commercial endeavor above all. Famous for scarves and sportswear that became a multimillion-dollar franchise in the '60s, Neumann was always keen on cross-marketing her brand identity to include a range of household products (carried by chic Anthropologie as well as department stores). However, at the core of Neumann's marketing strategy was translating trends in contemporary art to the mass market and introducing her own interpretations of exotic locales such as India and Africa. She was one of the first designers to create a successful lifestyle brand, bridging gaps between fashion, interior design, and celebrity culture. Although the book offers a light and visually appealing read, Neumann's work is probably best appreciated on table linens rather than the printed page. (Sept.)