It is nothing more and nothing less than a cultural heritage. Who doesn’t know James Bond ? Everyone knows him, everywhere in the world. Whether it’s you, your generation, your parents’ generation, or even your grandparents’ generation. British secret agent spans the ages and eras.
Created by Ian Fleming In 1953, Agent 007 was first a series of novels and short stories. Before being worn for first time on screen in 1962 by Terence Young. James Bond vs. Dr. No thus becomes the first feature film in a saga of 25 films until the latest: Dying can wait (2021).
Waiting for the successor to Daniel Craig in the shoes of Bond, the Assouline editions allow us to wait with the release of a new book baptized James Bond Style.
Here are 007 reasons that make this book a ideal gift for Christmas.
1) For the texts of Lindy Hemming
Even if it means talking about James Bond costumesyou might as well give the floor to a specialist. Or rather a specialist. James Bond Style is in fact based on texts from Lindy Hemming. A name which, except for 007 fanaticsis certainly unknown to the general public.
However, Lindy Hemming is one of the most renowned costume designers in the film industry. In addition to blockbusters like the Batman trilogy by Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012)) Hemming collaborated on five British agent films under the era Pierce Brosnan et Daniel Craig. Namely GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow never dies (1997), The world is not enough (1999), Die another day (2002) et Casino Royale (2006).
Although she obviously hasn’t worked on the 25 films in the James Bond saga, she knows a lot about the MI6 agent. And on costumes and clothing style in general.
« I know of no other film franchise that has created such a recognizable style for its main character: a style that has captivated audiences for over sixty years » she confides.
On the other hand, it is better to be familiar with the langue de Shakespeare. This book is in fact only available in English. But if by chance the English language makes you cold, rest assured. The texts remain within everyone’s reach from a comprehension point of view. Furthermore, they are not omnipresent throughout the work.
2) To go back in time
We told you this above. THE premiers films the James Bond date back to 1960s. Time when 007’s features were those of Sean Connery.
© Bert Cann Created by Ian Fleming in 1953, Sean Connery will be the first actor to give him the features of a human face in the cinema in 1962.
Clothing details initiated in James Bond vs. Dr. No will be repeated over time in other feature films in the saga.
James Bond Style is divided into four parts and it follows the chronological order of the actors having played the character: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, then Daniel Craig.
Consequence, each generation has “its” James Bond. Personally, at the age of 30, James Bond will forever remain Pierce Brosnan. For many fans and spectators, he represents the modern version of 007 who was able to revitalize the franchise. But generally speaking, what a pleasure to (re)discover all those who have played James Bond… Like the James Bond girls.
A real trombinoscope on all these eras which have marked, each in their own way, the Bond films.
3) For anecdotes
Moviegoers and lovers of 007, get ready. Certainly, the crux of the matter here is clothing style. It’s all in the title. But this book is also full of d’anecdotes and of filming secrets that only people present on the sets can know.
Like the costumes signed Tom Ford for the latest opus Dying can wait. We learn that thirty-three custom tuxedos were made in record time and received only 24 hours before filming.
Or even for Quantum of Solace. The James Bond girl, played by Olga Kurylenkohad the right to a twenty dresses from the house of Prada. One for each stage of the film which, little by little, becomes covered in dust and ends up in tatters!
Personally, I smiled when I learned that Pierce Brosnan (him again!) felt like he was “in armor” – says Lindy Hemming – as soon as he put on a 007 costume.
4) For iconographic richness
On the 336 pages who make up the book James Bond Stylethere are no less than 232 illustrations.
Photos taken on set, studio fittings like the jumpsuit designed by Lindy Hemming for Michelle Yeoh In Tomorrow never diesor even vintage international posters like that ofOctopussy in Japan…
While browsing the book, we also have fun finding sartorial winks to films of the past. For example, the cult bikini carried by Ursula Andress In James Bond vs. Dr. No brought up to date, years later, on the silhouette ofHalle Berry In Die another day. Or even the terry bathrobe initiated by Sean Connery and taken up by Roger Moore In The man with the golden gun (1974).
5) For James Bond’s (stealth) garage
Of course, the clothing style is inseparable from the English agent. But his autos Also. Certainly, we are making here a small sprain as to the fact that the Bond cars are not highlighted in the book of the day (apart from 3 photos where the cars are in the background behind Bond). But certain models nevertheless appear on some illustrations in the book.
© Nicola Dove Among all the automobile brands that James Bond had the opportunity to drive, Aston Martin remains the most emblematic and most represented. Above, an Aston Martin V8 in Dying can wait.
In more than 60 years, the 007 garage has seen many nuggets which – today – are sold at a high price. In the lead, the legendary Aston Martin DB5. The DB5 which made its debut in Goldfinger (1964) will also have crossed the ages and eras. After his last appearance in Operation Thunder (1965), we will find it decades later in GoldenEye (1995), Casino Royale (2006), Heavy rain (2012), Spectre (2015) or Dying can wait (2021). Always with his famous British number plate BMT 216A.
If Aston Martin is rightly the leading automobile brand that comes to mind when we think of James Bond, BMW is not left out. Under the Brosnan era, 007 no longer drives in English but in German: BMW Z3 In GoldenEye, BMW 7 Series In Tomorrow never dies or even BMW Z8 In The world is not enough.
Other brands also had the right to their hour of glory, this time in a more episodic manner. Particularly with Roger Moore in the role of double zero-seven. We think of Lotus with theSpirit S1 In The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) or even the very French Citroën 2CV In Just for your eyes (1981).
6) For postcard landscapes
Obviously, a secret agent travels. Throughout the missions (and feature films), James Bond travels the globe. With clothing styles that change completely.
Of the Bahamas to Austrian mountainspassing through Londonthe humidity of a military baseLatin America or the tumult of India… You have to dress accordingly.
The only common element of the wardrobe: the famous tuxedo accompanied by its unbreakable bow tie.
In any case, watching a James Bond film is often the opportunity to travel the world… But without moving from your sofa or armchair in a dark room.
7) For the beauty of the book itself
Posted at 120 €, James Bond Style “is earned” in a way. But after all, for the end of year celebrationsisn’t this the ideal time for this kind of present?
In fact, the Assouline editions are specialized in this clever mix of culture and luxury. A guideline, which since the creation of the publisher in 1994, has been dictated by the passion for culture and travel. James Bond Style is no exception to the rule.
To complete it all, the quality of the paper just like the silk blanket give a undeniable character to this work. Work which, beyond the secrets it contains, will prove to be a beautiful book (literally and figuratively) which we will happily leave behind table basse as decoration or in his most beautiful personal library.
