The Cinderella legend takes a star turn in this imaginative and contemporary retelling of the familiar tale. Giselle is a savvy and stylish young woman with an unsurpassed talent for hairstyling. Orphaned in childhood, she has since been confined to the shadows of the palace by Carlotta, Delight, and Wilhelmina, three of the most narcissistic and vain denizens of the court. When the town ruler decides to end his reign, he proclaims a grand ball, where the citizen with the most amazing coiffure will be awarded the crown. The three divas squabble to have Giselle execute their creations, but when the contest day arrives, her masterpiece is concealed by a voluminous hood. In a stunning upset, she takes a stand against useless vanity and demonstrates to the townspeople that a true leader must never be victim to fashion. With one bold move Giselle changes her lot in life and transforms the very roots of society. The exquisite collages and extravagant gatefold pages in this volume will captivate readers of all ages while clever rhyming verses celebrate the power of being genuine.

"The fantastically coiffed courtier on the cover of this debut gives a whiff of the luxury that waits within. Lawlor makes dazzling collages out of meticulously cut photos. This innovative hybrid—equal parts picture book and fashion magazine, with a dash of graphic novel—will attract as many adult fashionistas as younger readers."  —Publishers Weekly

"Sheer sensory stimulation."  —School Library Journal

"Terence is a consummate wizard of collage conjuring up ingenious compositions fashioned with sophisticated style and elegant wit."  —Martin Dawber, author, Big Book of Fashion IIlustration

"[In] this beautifully designed picture book [that] features sophisticated collages, Lawlor create[s] a whimsical portrait of the characters. . . . A good book to use for discussion of body image and fashion with teens."  —VOYA

"Most impressive in its indescribable artwork—fashionable collages [are]sophisticated, ingenious, and smart. A gloriously innovative picture book for all ages, The Vanities rocks!"  —Copley News Service

"Lavishly illustrated."  —Scholastic Parent and Child

Terence Lawlor is a veteran freelance illustrator working exclusively in collage. He is a former instructor of fashion illustration and design at the Parsons Paris School of Art & Design. His collages have been featured in a variety of ad campaigns and editorial layouts for such international clients as Halls Soothers, Orangina, Texaco, Volkswagen, Scholastic, Waterman Pen, Pilsner Urquell, the California Lottery, RATP/Paris metro, Cosmopolitan, Vogue Hommes International and Planet° magazine. He divides his time between Antwerp, Belgium, and Los Angeles.

Imprint: Prydwen Press
Distributor: Independent Pub Group
Publication Date: 05-28-2008
Pages: 62
Measurements: 12.00in X 11.00in X 1.93lb