Our friend Barbara Amelio gave us this recently published book for the studio’s library. Stephen Sprouse, who according to William Norwich was the fashion designer credited with pioneering the 1980’s mix of “uptown sophistication in clothing with a downtown punk and pop sensibility”, died in 2004 at the age of 50. The book, in the same style of Sprouse’s initial Day-Glo bright motives, showcases his portfolio and exudes equally glowing extravagance. It is coincidental that we post this book review days after our in-house screen printing workshop offered by Alp Bozkurt And Angela Martinez. In the book, we see endless collections of Stephen Sprouse’s screen printing, a technique by which he was initially noted for: custom-dyed/screen-printed fabrics. Sprouse personally did the graffiti that adorned many of his very earliest garments in the early 80’s. The book is full of incredibly telling photographs depicting the 80’s and 90’s in New York City. It is also filled with stunning graphics and inspiring imagery.

Author: Roger Padilha and Mauricio Padilha
Press: Rizzoli, January 2009