Publisher's Synopsis
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Queen. The extraordinary public and private life of the world's most famous monarch Her Majesty the Queen, Royal Edition by Vivienne Westwood is limited to 500 copies with special cover and clamshell case designed by British fashion legend Vivienne Westwood. Comes with the numbered and signed gelatin silver print Royal Departure by photographer Harry Benson. Art Edition B - No. 501-1,000 Royal Departure, 1966 by Harry Benson Gelatin silver print 28.9 x 40.5 cm / 11.4 x 15.9 in. (image), 33.5 x 45.7 cm / 13.2 x 18 in. (sheet) (Frame not included) This limited edition book, with a cover designed by Vivienne Westwood, is a hand-crafted couture collector's item. Featuring a design referencing the Queen's reign, Great Britain, and Vivienne's own Gold Label collection, the cover is embellished with a drawing of the Star of the Noble Order of the Garter that is hand-stitched with silver metallic thread. The book is also encased in an elegant mother of pearl clam shell box. The understated white of the box has been designed to contrast against the resolute colour palette of the book inside. Also available in a second Art Edition (No. 1-500) with an alternative print. The artist: British fashion icon Vivienne Westwood is singlehandedly responsible for bringing punk and new wave into the mainstream in the 1970s, and remains one of the most influential designers in the fashion world today. Her first foray into fashion was a collaboration with Sex Pistols manager Malcom McLaren for his London shop, opened in 1971, and a decade later she presented her first catwalk show, entitled ""Pirates."" Her new romantic style was a dominant force in 1980s fashion, and her designs have continued to have a strong impact on clothing design and style in the world today. The photographer: Glasgow-born Harry Benson has photographed every US President since Eisenhower, the Civil Rights movement, and was next to Robert Kennedy when he was assassinated. As well as The Beatles, he has shot some of the biggest personalities of the last 50 years, including Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Her Majesty The Queen. In 2009, he was made Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
