Colin McDowell authors Swarovski coffee table book

The works of designers such as Alexander McQueen, Dior and Balmain are on display at luxury retail store; Harvey Nichols and this design archive will open to the public till December 23, 2015.

After Business of Fashion's Imran Amed, Vogue Italia's Franca Sozzani, it is now famed the British fashion writer and author Colin McDowell's turn to make a pit stop in Dubai. Having written over 26 books on fashion, he is a true authority on the subject.
Returning to Dubai after at least a decade years he said, "This city had a real quality about it." He was in town to launch the coffee table book, "Swarovski: Celebrating a History of Collaborations in Fashion, Jewelry, Performance and Design", a book that commutates 120 years of the iconic crystal brand.
McDowell has penned the chapter on fashion for the book, and other writers who have contributed to the Rizzoli publication include fashion's most famous critic Suzy Menkes and noted jewelry historian Vivienne Becker.
Along with fifth generation member of the Swarovski family, Nadja Swarovski, McDowell discussed importance of crystal in fashion and unveiled an exhibition of some of Swarovski's most memorable designer collaborations at the Mall of The Emirates, on Thursday.
 The works of designers such as Alexander McQueen, Dior and Balmain are on display at luxury retail store; Harvey Nichols and this design archive will open to the public till December 23, 2015." For Fashion, Swarovski changed decoration from an option to a necessity", said McDowell.
McDowell noted that Dubai lifestyle had a very hedonistic way of life that was all about living life in style. "Even the European restaurants are better here than the ones in Europe," he said. Dubai he felt was truly a city of fashion. "Style comes from spending money," he believes.  McDowell is known for looking at fashion, for its social significance. "Look at the Versailles, it was all about spending money. And they lived life in true style," says the noted author. He is currently working on a book tentatively titled, "A Social History of Fashion."

Colin McDowell chooses the five fashion books that should be on everyone's mantelpiece:

1. Swarovski: Celebrating a History of Collaborations in Fashion, Jewelry, Performance, and Design, Rizzoli Books, 2015. "First editions are always the most valuable, so I would buy this book that is a truly full of inspiration for anyone interested in fashion, as soon as you can."
2. Manolo Blahnik: Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions, Rizzoli Books, 2015, "This is man who truly tells stories with shoes. I wrote the first book written on him. "
3. Giorgio Armani, Written by Giorgio Armani, Rizzoli Books, 2015 "Written by Armani this book is all is his own words and is a true catalogue to the world of Armani."
4. Gisele, Taschen Books, 2015. "This limited edition book, first print run sold out before the official launch date. She is truly has defined fashion for 20 years and this book celebrates contribution to the industry. It costs around US$1,000 but it well worth it."
5. Diana Vreeland Memos: The Vogue Years, Edited by Alexander Vreeland, Rizzoli Books, 2013, " This book gives you a true understand of the inner workings of this legendary style-icon. A must read for anyone who wants to be involved in the fashion world."

Sujata is a consulting editor at Khaleej Times

• Style In The City