Val Garland. What’s left to say? An icon. A friend. A fabulous human being. The list of people she worked with goes on for so long it could probably form a book. Oh, guess what? It now actually has. Validated is the just-released piece of literature looking back at over three decades of major beauty moments that redefined fashion imagery through time, all thanks to the hands and eyes of our good friend Val. The book officially launched on Monday thanks to the talk starring the make-up magician along with Ana Khouri, Jowy Maasdamme and our Editrix-in-heels (and Val’s good friend) Sophia Neophitou. And now, we got our hands on the book.
First impression: this isn’t just another coffee table book. Yes, it’s delightfully pretty, but there’s so much more inside. Validated serves as a part beauty lexicon and part history lesson, reminiscing back at momentous catwalk shows, editorials and campaigns Val had her fingers in, accompanied by the commentary of the fashion greats. Edward Enniful, Kate Moss, Nick Knight and Sam McKnight all give great soundbites about what makes Val the icon she truly is. The McQueen show with Shalom Harlow rotating and getting sprayed on by robots? Val did it. The cover of The Face starring the naked Phoebe Philo? Val’s work. Kate Moss as Ziggy Stardust on the cover of British Vogue? That’s our pal Val.
“This is my journey. If I can do it, so can you,” she states in one of the opening spreads. And after finishing Validated, we just might give it a try try.
Validated by Val Garland, published by Laurence King is out now; available to buy online and in bookshops.
