Win it! One of 5 copies of House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival

He was one of the most prolific designers of our time, known for his incredibly opulent and flashy collections, and his strong, loyal celebrity following. Equally loved and criticized, Gianni Versace, the Versace label, and the man behind it, stayed on the fashion radar. But behind all of the glitz and glam was a lot more. House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival, by Deborah Ball, delves into the storied life of the designer, his family, and his rise to fame. Ball, a former Milan correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, conducted interviews with Versace’s family members, lovers, business rivals, fashion models and industry icons.

Want the book? We’re giving away five copies! To enter to win, leave a comment below telling us your favorite Versace memory. And for more entries, Join our Facebook group, become a fan, or follow us on Twitter. Contest ends February 28, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.

Versace. The very name conjures up images of outrageous glamour and bold sexuality, opulence and daring. All of course true, but only half the story. Versace is also the legacy of a great creative genius from a poor, backward part of southern Italy who transformed the fashion world through his intuitive understanding of both women and how a changing culture influenced the way they wanted to dress. The first book in English about the legendary designer, House of Versace shows how Gianni Versace, with his flamboyant sister Donatella at his side, combined his virtuosic talent and extraordinary ambition to almost single-handedly create the celebrity culture we take for granted today.

Gianni Versace was at the height of his creative powers when he was murdered in Miami Beach. The story was front page news around the world and the manhunt for his killer a media obsession. His beloved sister Donatella demanded no less than a funeral befitting an assassinated head-of-state to be held in Milan’s magnificent cathedral. In what was the ultimate fashion show, the world’s rich and beautiful – Princess Dianna, Elton John, Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Anna Wintour and others – gathered to mourn a man already considered one of fashion’s great pioneers.

Deborah Ball vividly recounts the behind-the scenes struggles – both creative and business – of Donatella as she stepped out of her brother’s long shadow and took control of the House of Versace. The book offers the first inside look at the enormous challenges Donatella faced in living up to Gianni’s genius, her struggle with a drug habit, her battles with her brother Santo and the mystery of why Gianni left control of his house to Donatella’s young daughter, Allegra.

House of Versace is a compelling, highly readable tale of rise from obscurity, a painful fall and ultimate redemption as the Versace empire returned to health – for now.

Special thanks to Crown Publishing Group (a division of Random House) for hosting this giveaway!

First look: The Carrie Diaries - Meet Carrie before Sex and the City

We’re clicking our Louboutin heels anxiously awaiting the the Sex and the City movie sequel. Will Carrie and Mr. Big have a kid? What becomes of Steve and Miranda? Do Charlotte and Harry remain ridiculously happy? Will Samantha ever get married? We’ll soon find out the answers to those questions and more. But in case you were wondering what Carrie and the girls were like before Sex (we can only imagine), get ready because The Carrie Diaries (Hardcover) hits bookshelves this Spring! The book is set to be released on April 27, 2010, a month before “Sex and the City 2” comes out in theaters (on May 28, 2010), so you can get a peek into Carrie’s life as a teen fashionista and high school It girl. Basically she was Blair Waldorf, without the bitchery.

Publisher HarperCollins, which is releasing the prequel (the first of two books by author Candace Bushnell), stated that the book “takes readers back to Carrie Bradshaw’s formative years in high school, giving an inside look at Carrie’s friendships, romances and how she realized her dream of becoming a writer.” We can’t wait!

Pre-order from Amazon.com now!

Haute read - Follow the Model: Miss J’s Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power

Can’t get enough of Miss Jay? Neither can we. The Top Model judge/runway model trainer is launching his book “Follow the Model: Miss J’s Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power“, tonight at Barnes and Noble. Here are the details for models, model-wannabe’s and all of us in-between:

WHO: J. Alexander, aka Miss J, has traveled around the world casting and coaching models for countless top designers. Now he is a television personality well-known for his work as a runway coach and judge on America’s Next Top Model.

WHAT: “Follow the Model, Miss J’s Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise and Power” book launch

WHEN: November 10, 2009

WHERE: Barnes and Noble, 97 Warren Street, New York City, 7PM.

WHY: Not everyone is born to be a supermodel, but every woman can acquire confidence, self-esteem, and the determination to realize her dreams. From being comfortable in your own body to the decisive power of one’s attitude to how to walk proud in the highest heel shoes, Follow the Model offers tough love with a lot of heart from a truly one-of-a-kind mentor. Miss J has written an inspiring guide that shows women not how to walk but how to live the Miss J way- fully and fabulously.

Can’t make it? Click here to buy the book online.

Haute Read: Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V’s Guide to How Style Happens From Inspiration to Runway & Beyond

Coffee table books always make a great gift. The trick is finding that perfect one that looks great on your table and makes you actually want to read it. Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V’s Guide to How Style Happens From Inspiration to Runway & Beyond is that perfect book.

This new book was written by one of my favorite Project Runway designers, Daniel Vosovic (Season 2 finalist), and is just as beautifully styled as one of his designs. The hardcover book has a black and white velveteen cover, while over 170 pages of glossy photos by Michael Turek await you inside. But it’s a lot more than just beautiful photographs. What makes Vosovic’s book such a great read is the breadth of fashion industry information inside. The content ranges from the designer’s own personal design inspiration to interviews with those in every facet of the industry – from photographers to stylists to patternmakers to fashion journalists to designers – all discussing their own fashion influences and elements of style. Vosovic even includes interviews with Project Runway’s Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum, and has a foreword by Tim Gunn.

Fashion Inside Out is actually a guide for the would-be designer, from a young designer’s perspective. It is chock full of industry insider tips and tricks. Honestly, it’s like a crash course at Parson’s or FIT. Learn how to design, drape and sew as well as presenting and selling your collection. Like Daniel Vosovic, the book is refreshing, revealing, and real.

Click here to buy Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V’s Guide to How Style Happens From Inspiration to Runway & Beyond