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Influence | 
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| Authors: Mary Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen
Publisher: Razorbill
Category: Book
List Price: $35.00
Buy New: $22.22
You Save: $12.78 (37%)
New (38) Used (15) Collectible (2) from $20.45
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 1925
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Young Adult
Pages: 272
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.1
Dimensions (in): 12.1 x 9.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 0670073385
Dewey Decimal Number: 746.92
EAN: 9781595142108
ASIN: 159514210X
Publication Date: October 20, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 High on marketing, low on talent October 30, 2008
horace wimp (San Francisco, CA USA)
62 out of 68 found this review helpful
I'm torn on this. Let's start with the cover. It could be said that having two versions of the book, each with a different cover depending on which twin you end up with, is artistic. Since I am in the marketing business, I'll put that down to marketing - an attempt to make enthusiasts and collectors buy 2 copies (it works by the way, just look at the sales of magazine that do the same thing).
On the one hand this book contains some good insight into scions of the fashion world, but on the other hand it is yet another example of the efficient and admirable marketing machine that is the Olsen twins... yet it has very little of any substance that is built on their abilities or talent, and you start to wonder if they have any, other than the fact that they were born twins and cute. Without question they know how to market themselves and their product, and for that you have to admire them and their success, but when they stand next to the subjects of their interviews, what becomes very apparent is that they are not in that same class from an artistic and raw talent perspective, even though they are financially more successful than most of them. I think what the twins have managed to expose in this book is that they find themselves in a very privileged and fortunate position of power in the fashion industry because they have declared fashion their creative outlet through their Elizabeth & James line. They have access that many less fortunate, but far more talented purveyors of the craft, would kill for and as such they are able to parlay that into a book that seeks to elevate their credibility through association. Again, I give them credit in the marketing department for recognizing that their cutesy tween image is long past due and this book could give them a stepping stone to longer term credibility in an adjacent field to their acting alma mater.
Sure, the book will appeal to Olsen twin fans (and there are many of those), but it never really reveals anything about them and what they are going to do with the position of privilege and access that they have been given. So, they have received the "Influence" of an impressive cadre of iconoclasts, but now what are they going to do with it? This really should be categorized as a brand marketing text book rather than a coffee table fashion book.
All that being said, the book is interesting and worth a read, but there are many other books I'd spend the money on before this if I had a real interest in various aspects of fashion and those who define it. For Olsen twin fans, just buy it, and it probably won't disappoint.
 Surprisingly fantastic November 3, 2008
Sarah Taylor (outside Phila)
16 out of 20 found this review helpful
So, I grew up with Mary Kate and Ashley, watched Full House and bought their movies. But, kids grow up. I outgrew them, they seemingly outgrew their targeted demographic and for anyone who paid attention to them, it was obvious.
Forward through their attempt at NYU to now. Ashley has all but dropped acting and now heads the Row, which is really fantastic. She has captured how to make couture lines wearable to the every day. She was the first person to put couture seams on a tee/tank. That's pretty remarkable for a now 22-year-old. Mary Kate is still acting (well) and does a good job with Elizabeth and James, their more affordable (though still expensive) line.
Basically, these are young women who grew up in fame, so their perspective on it is more jaded, deservedly. Moreover, they grew up admiring these people just like us, except they can actually afford them and go out with them. poor us.
Regardless, my point is these are girls that actually have a clue what they're talking about and they're asking questions that aren't entirely typical because they know how to dance around cliche questions. They've obviously been there.
There's a pretty heavy-handedness to Mary Kate's love of Warholian culture just in terms of who she interviews and the questions involved. Ashley, you can tell has more of a designer's appreciation for these people. She loves them like a wearer, but also can be considered a colleague, and I think that comes across from time to time.
If you have an interest in fashion, photography, the culture that surrounds that and you care about them in a way that you aren't looking for the next YSL biography, I'd definitely recommend this to you. Its a fantastic read and I think it really helps you get over the fact that these are the Olsen twins and now they're using their entity (read: influence) to prove their talent.
Well Thought Out November 5, 2008
K. Davis (Gainesville, Fl USA)
5 out of 10 found this review helpful
I have followed Mary-kate and Ashley my whole life. I was a little sceptical about getting this book, because I did not want to be disapointed! I wasn't disapointed at all!!! The book in a whole is so inspiring. They put it together beautifully and the interviews are really well done!! My favorite part is the fact that just about everyone they interview talks about working REALLY hard. Which I think is what a lot of young people my age need to hear. That they didn't just deserve to be where they are, they have truley given their careers all they have to get where they are!!
Influential November 20, 2008
jans0180
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book did exactly what its title says, Influenced. It was a way of looking into peoples lives that we read about and see pictures of but really know little about. It opened my eyes to the world of different forms of art and peoples thought processes behind what they do, something that allows you to appreciate their work more. It was wonderful to see the passion in these peoples lives. I think of Mary Kate and Ashley in a whole different light, their style while maybe weird, is definately their own. It was a great read! I would 100% recommend this book!
Olsen justice rendered, it seems November 8, 2008
Summer (Summer)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
An extremely humbling account of their true intelligence and willingness to stay cultured and creative even against all accusations of them being unoriginal.
In fact, I think this book is the first thing to have done them any justice in all the years we've watched them appear before us.
These girls obviously are concerned with "owning" their own act, and the book definitely explores that when Leboutin tells them even creative people need to feed off other creative minds.
I just can't imagine no one being touched by this book, especially given how they concede to "not knowing it all" unlike what their status as billionaires has hitherto implied.
I think that alone earns a few stars..
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