http://www.polyvore.com

Move over Instyle Magazine and make room for Polyvore.com! Polyvore is the new user-generated fashion magazine where the public gets to play fashion editor. Founded by three former Yahoo engineers, Polyvore enables users to create collages from "must have" fashion items. Readers can view posted collages which are called "sets" and can be redirected to the webpage where the item is sold by clicking on an image. Not unlike a mood board, some “sets” have been inspired by style icons like actress Blake Lively from Gossip Girl.

Polyvore boasts the following attributes:

• Fonts for text and audio clips from Amazon
• Corporate sponsored contests
• User-generated ads
• 928,000 registered users
• 25% more traffic than Style.com
• More extensive than Harpersbazaar.com

Polyvore users have the ability to select other user's images for their own personal "sets". In fact 95% of images come from users, but brands and e-commerce sites can also upload their own images. The site has plans to make "customer preferences" data available to retailers. This information can be used to stock items that would be most appropriate for each individual store location. In addition, buyers can use Polyvore to gain information about trends in real-time. For example, readers can already spot trends for fall like: exposed zippers, fingerless gloves, and butterfly prints.

Reviewed by Library Staff Member Jesse Negrete - S.D.

The fashion designer and model have always had a unique relationship. The model has been an integral part of the creative process for most designers. So much so, that the father of Haute Couture, Charles Worth went so far as to marry one of his models, Marie Vernet. Over the years the relationship has been refined by the popularity and power of the supermodels such as: Amber Valetta, Kate Moss, Christie Brinkley, Patti Hanson, Jerry Hall and most recently, Giselle Bundchen. The Model As Muse covers the history of fashion as it applies to the annals of history. For instance, Christian Dior's “New Look” was instrumental in helping France rebound from the devastation wrought by the Nazis during WWII.

Model As Muse is a photographic reference compiled by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to commemorate their ongoing exhibition which celebrated the famous Costume Institute Gala. This was made possible in large part to the efforts of Marc Jacobs who provided a statement for the book.

This book is sumptuously illustrated with some of the most iconic high fashion photography of the ages, such as the Richard Avendon photo of a Dior-clad Dovima with the elephants from the Cirque d'hiver. Also featured is an exquisite photo of Linda Evangelista for Dolce & Gabanna applying lipstick. All of the world's greatest fashion photographers are represented from Meisel to Penn. This book spans the generations with glamour and style.

Reviewed by Library Staff Member - Monika Earle