The Eye

I’ve just finished reading The Eye, a book about the world’s most influential creative directors and how they develop their vision.

Written by the founder and design director of Kinfolk magazine, Nathan Williams, and published by Artisan Books, it's a page-turner for anyone interested in the marketplace for creativity.

The Eye is divided into three sections - Publishing, Entertainment and Fashion - with each section further subdivided into original profiles of the present generation of creatives, archival profiles earlier greats, and a reading list that connects across generations.

The book is full of beautiful black-and-white portrait photographs that set the scenes and bring the profiles to life.

All of the 90 or so profiles are well researched, and many are based on interviews and studio visits done by Williams himself.

They are full of interesting anecdotes like …

Fashion designer Bouchra Jaar runs a non-profit workshop where she teaches people how to make clothes by deconstructing and then re-sewing garments.

Silver-haired model and boutique owner Linda Rodin draws her inspiration from just walking around her neighborhood, looking. “I always say one step informs the next."

Design magazine publisher Thomas Persson's two tips for hosting a good party are … “Generosity. Don’t put a limit on anything. Keep everything flowing - lots of food, lots of drink, great music. And maybe a surprise, something unexpected."

And there are many more.

It is easy to see that Williams is inspired by his subjects, and every page reads not only like a profile of a world-class creative director but like an old friend introducing a new one.

If you are considering ordering a copy of The Eye, please use my Amazon associate store link.