Today I'd like to tell you about this wonderful book called
See the World Beautiful by Anne Menke, published by Glitterati Incorporated, with a foreword by designer Tommy Hilfiger. Let me tell you, I adore this book!
See the World Beautiful is a beautifully large book of photographs from around the world that measures roughly 11x14 inches in size, which makes for an amazing photographic experience. For me, the sheer size of this extraordinary book lends itself to drawing the reader into a wondrous visual experience. Each picture seems like you're literally looking through this magical window into someone's life. Anne Menke is a truly gifted photographer because her pictures make you feel like you are there looking at these beautiful people. The book is the result of her documenting her travel to various locations while on assignment for magazines such as
Vogue,
ELLE,
Marie Claire, and
Condé Nast Traveller.
See the World Beautiful is fashion photographer Anne Menke's collection of beautiful photographs of indigenous cultures and it looks at their particular styles and the influence on fashion. This book is an interesting visual study of the meeting place between culture and fashion. For me it is a full on celebration of life and all the ways that we live on this planet. It's a study of humanity and the universal qualities that we all can relate to in some way as people. The photographer takes us to Peru, Kenya, Brazil, Mongolia, China, Argentina, India, Bolivia, Spain, Canada, and the USA (Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, and South Dakota).
There are numbers at the beginning of each section of the book which pinpoint the degrees of latitude and longitude and the dates when the pictures were taken. It's a way of assigning a sense of space and time to each section as Anne Menke takes us to another location on the globe. However, there's a beautifully timeless quality to each image and you know that the beauty of each will endure for a long while and will not be affected by the passing of years.
As I looked through the book, I was enthralled by all of the faces and personal style from around the world. Looking at the smiling faces of children and the storied faces of the adults made me feel a connection that I can't explain. I just saw the beauty and the diversity and the joy that people exhibited as they went about their lives and their ways of being. I don't mean to get too deep, but this book really moved me and I'm so grateful for the experience.
I love what Anne Menke says in the introduction. It sums up her journey in this book for me. She writes:
"Beauty is Happiness, Happiness is Beauty. You can find it anywhere, but it helps to have a good pair of walking shoes and a 35mm lens."
~ Anne Menke
Everywhere Menke pointed her camera there was a vibrant expression of the rich culture of each place and how they adorn themselves. In studying the various pictures, it's clear to see how much these cultures have influenced the styles that go down runways all over the world.
See the World Beautiful is surely a book to be enjoyed over and over whenever one wants to be reminded of the varying beauty of humanity or to simply enjoy some beautiful images. Those who love creativity and expression will also find enjoyment in the pages of this book.
See the World Beautiful is the perfect title for this book because you can feel as well as see the beauty of our fellow human beings with the turn of every page.
See the World Beautiful can be purchased
here.
*Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book for review. All opinions are mine.
