Published by Bauer & Dean, Autobiography of a Fashion Designer: Ralph Rucci, a lavishly illustrated artist book issued in a limited edition, will be exclusively distributed on the East End of Long Island this season by Glenn Horowitz Bookseller.

Meet the designer at our book signing and reception on July 28, 5-7pm.

This personal and colorful documentation of Rucci’s fascinating life offers an intimate self-portrait of an American fashion icon. Through a wealth of stunning images, it delves deeply into both his private and public worlds. His eclectic and beautiful home is revealed through a compelling series of closely-cropped photographs, such as the layers of rich cashmere, silk, and leather in his closet; the thoughtfully positioned objets d’art throughout the rooms; and his extensive book collection – on muses from Francisco Goya to Cristóbal Balenciaga – which is shelved, stacked, or placed at the foot of his bed.

The images of Rucci’s design processes are equally captivating – if not more so. Saturated bolts of fabric, spools of thread, and racks of dress patterns are presented alongside journals rich with source material. No less interesting are the photographs of his file cabinets, which are filled with folders headed with such intriguing titles as “Confetti Holiday 1987, 88.” Behind-the-scenes pictures of model fittings, photo shoots, and runway stagings comprise the finale of this luxurious book, and where Rucci’s creative genius is brilliantly displayed through a unique visual portfolio of his numerous award-winning designs.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rucci earned a philosophy degree at Temple University, after which he entered the fashion business, receiving his initial training under Halston and a Balenciaga patternmaker. He held his first formal show in 1981, and launched his own eponymous house, Chado: Ralph Rucci, in 1996. In 2002, Rucci was invited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to show in Paris —the first American-based designer to ever receive the honor — and last fall he received his “Fashion Walk of Fame” plaque on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. In April, he was the keynote speaker at the seventh annual Design Leadership Summit in Marrakech.