Crowned ‘Designer of the Year’ by Vogue in 1970, Bill Gibb (1943–1988), barely out of college two years and yet to launch his eponymous line, was to become a major name in fashion history. Gibb’s career was prolific, and truly visionary at its finest, but sadly short-lived. His legacy, continued relevance and importance as a designer is apparent today in the work of designers from Giles Deacon to John Galliano. Famous for his love of romance, soaring flights of fancy and devil-may-care dynamic, Gibb’s wildly eccentric combinations of checks, tartans, stripes, floral prints and Fair Isle Knits had never been seen before. T his stunning book explores Gibb’s background, long-time fascination with historical imagery and the themes that inspired his designs. Award-winning fashion journalist Iain R Webb is a professor at Central Saint Martins; he writes for The Independent and New York Times magazine.