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Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech Hardcover – May 28, 2019

by Michael Darling (Editor), Rem Koolhaas (Contributor), Taiye Selasi (Contributor),
4.8 out of 5 stars 708 ratings
One of The New York Times Best Entertaiment Gifts of 2019
New York Magazine's Most Giftable Coffee-Table Books of 2019

From street fashion to high culture, the work of Virgil Abloh, a celebrated multihyphenate artist, is showcased in this book.

For Abloh, the museum catalogue is another opportunity to "question everything." This monograph, produced in close collaboration with the artist himself, explores his creative output in a three-books-in-one format. The catalogue section offers an overview of Abloh's interdisciplinary practice by Michael Darling and features essays and interviews with key voices in art, fashion, design, and architecture, including Taiye Selasi, Lou Stoppard, Michael Rock, Samir Bantal, Rem Koolhaas, and Anja Aronowsky Cronberg. In the archives section, more than 1,800 never-before-seen images pulled from the artist's personal files reveal the remarkable breadth of his influences and collaborations. And the index cross references the catalogue plates--Abloh's works--with his projects and process, using a vocabulary of themes developed by Abloh. This book is designed with Swiss binding. When opened the front cover lays completely flat and is not attached to the front pages of the book. The binding also intentionally exposes the spine of the bound book and the raw boards used for the case (cover).

Published with Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
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  1. Print length
    496 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Prestel
  4. Publication date
    May 28, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    9.31 x 1.88 x 12.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    379135857X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-3791358574
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The show’s hefty, excellent catalog embraces this spirit, deploying a titillating level of detail."–The New York Times

"When Virgil Abloh breathes, his CO2 is practically up on eBay the next day — so we imagine his new book, Figures of Speech... won’t be long for this world." –New York Magazine

"Figures of Speech is packed with 1,932 images and a number of essays which discuss race, contemporary art history, streetwear and more. Altogether, the Prestel-produced book spans 496 pages and features a fittingly minimalist hardback cover."–HypeBeast

"...the object that is really worth coveting is the book. More than a simple catalog it’s a 500 page User’s Manual to his career." –Core77

“Expect it to fly off the shelves like freshly baked cookies” —Buro

“Designer and creative director Virgil Abloh has a new coffee table book you'll want to make space for in your living room. A particularly cool addition to your coffee table or bookshelf..." –AIROWS

About the Author

MICHAEL DARLING is James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator at the MCA Chicago.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Prestel (May 28, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 496 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 379135857X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3791358574
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.03 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.31 x 1.88 x 12.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 708 ratings

About the author

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Michael Darling

Michael Darling

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
708 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a great source of inspiration, with one noting it serves as an essential compendium of Virgil Abloh's works. Moreover, the material quality receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as well made. Additionally, customers appreciate the visual presentation, with one highlighting the nice pictures and another praising the layout.

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10 customers mention "Content"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's extensive content, finding it a great source of inspiration, with one customer describing it as an essential compendium of Virgil Abloh's works.

"Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech is an impressive catalog of the life work of one of the most influential artists of this century" Read more

"...The visual, the intellectual and his far reaching vision have assaulted my senses in way in which few could ever. For this I’m eternally grateful...." Read more

"...It’s heavy and full of photographs and information. Fans of fashion, art and/or Virgil Abloh would love this book." Read more

"...Great content." Read more

4 customers mention "Material quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's materials, with one describing it as well made.

"I love the layout and mixture of page sizes and materials. Not something you often point out regarding a book, but it applies here." Read more

"The book is super dope. Makes a great media piece" Read more

"Tons of content durable well made book" Read more

"good." Read more

4 customers mention "Visual quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the visual quality of the book, with one noting its nice pictures and another praising its layout and far-reaching vision.

"...The visual, the intellectual and his far reaching vision have assaulted my senses in way in which few could ever. For this I’m eternally grateful...." Read more

"I love the layout and mixture of page sizes and materials. Not something you often point out regarding a book, but it applies here." Read more

"...He was very excited to receive it. It’s heavy and full of photographs and information. Fans of fashion, art and/or Virgil Abloh would love this book." Read more

"...I can’t speak for every single one the book itself was cool had nice pictures but my day and gift is ruined" Read more

Is this supposed to be
4 out of 5 stars
Is this supposed to be
Received a week ago but just getting to this now. Open the box and first thing I noticed was the spine is detached from the hardcover, is this supposed to be? I decided to exchange for another one to see the difference, and received again in the same format, so it seems it’s the new style of hardbacks. Great content.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Cullen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech is an impressive catalog of art
    Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech is an impressive catalog of the life work of one of the most influential artists of this century
    Helpful
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  • EFIII
    5.0 out of 5 stars A multi hyphenate genius gone too soon.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Why can I say about this man’s work that hasn’t already been said? Suffice to say that his genius was inspiring to me and incredibly exciting to experience. The visual, the intellectual and his far reaching vision have assaulted my senses in way in which few could ever. For this I’m eternally grateful. It’s been dopamine for my soul. Thank you Sir. Virgil Forever.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into the behind the scenes
    Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The book is dominated by pictures showing his work and inspirations, but Virgil also includes great written insight into the thought process behind some of his creations. I thought it was so cool to look through his early sketchbook drawings and school assignments, and then hear his take on them and why they shaped his perception of the world today. Despite knowing the level of success Virgil has achieved in his career, the inclusion of his early stage work made everything he's done seem realistically achievable with the right work ethic, and it left me feeling very inspired.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Emmanuel Golden
    5.0 out of 5 stars "FIGURES OF SPEECH"
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I love the layout and mixture of page sizes and materials. Not something you often point out regarding a book, but it applies here.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • JB
    5.0 out of 5 stars VIRGIL THE LEGEND
    Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    VIRGIL FOREVER 🕊
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • GalacticZak
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift
    Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I got this as a gift for a friend. He was very excited to receive it. It’s heavy and full of photographs and information. Fans of fashion, art and/or Virgil Abloh would love this book.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Shing02
    5.0 out of 5 stars dope book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    you won't regret it,
    get it
    Helpful
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  • Penela
    4.0 out of 5 stars Is this supposed to be
    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Received a week ago but just getting to this now.
    Open the box and first thing I noticed was the spine is detached from the hardcover, is this supposed to be?
    I decided to exchange for another one to see the difference, and received again in the same format, so it seems it’s the new style of hardbacks. Great content.
    Customer image
    Penela
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Is this supposed to be

    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2022
    Received a week ago but just getting to this now.
    Open the box and first thing I noticed was the spine is detached from the hardcover, is this supposed to be?
    I decided to exchange for another one to see the difference, and received again in the same format, so it seems it’s the new style of hardbacks. Great content.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Nikki
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well received gift
    Reviewed in Canada on December 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Comprehensive
    Report
  • maravilla perez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfecto
    Reviewed in Spain on January 7, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    No se porque la primera vez que lo compre, se canceló solo, pero en cuanto me di cuenta lo volví a comprar. Al llegarme es cierto que el plástico protector estaba un poco roto, pero el libro estaba en perfecto estado.
    Report
  • Eduardo
    5.0 out of 5 stars 2.4kg de pura inspiração
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    É um livro extremamente pesado, mas com um conteúdo que realmente inspira!
    Customer image
    Eduardo
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    2.4kg de pura inspiração

    Reviewed in Brazil on July 9, 2024
    É um livro extremamente pesado, mas com um conteúdo que realmente inspira!
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Report
  • Emma
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Gift
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    My partner loved this gift and it's a really great coffee table book,
    Report
  • Thomas le BOGOSSE
    5.0 out of 5 stars TEMPS DE LIVRAISON
    Reviewed in France on November 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    1 mois pour recevoir le colis inadmissible !!!
    Sinon le colis est correct et correspond à la description. Voilà.. bonne journée :)
    Report