Why LA? Pourquoi Paris?

Of all the world's great metropolises, Paris and Los Angeles are among those that house the most significant and immediately recognizable cultural milieus. From the Champs-Élysees to the Sunset Strip, Marilyn Monroe to Brigitte Bardot, LACMA to Louvre, there is plenty for visitors and residents alike to fall in love with these storied cities ― and in Why LA? Pourquoi Paris?, for the first time ever, they are revealed in parallel.

Written in English and French by Diane Ratican ― a Los Angeles based entrepreneur who calls Paris her second home ― with illustrations by acclaimed artists Eric Giriat (Paris) and Nick Lu (Los Angeles), Why LA? Pourquoi Paris? is a gorgeous, full-color, 272-page collectible art book, travel guide, and personal journey. Playfully 'connecting the dots' between respective historical landmarks, architectural icons, style codes, and cultural peculiarities, Ratican weaves a compelling narrative throughout Why LA? Pourquoi Paris?, which is interspersed with quotes from famed L.A. and Paris residents such as Walt Disney, Jim Morrison, Coco Chanel, and Ernest Hemingway.

Colorful, charming illustrations by Girat and Lu ― many of which are available to purchase as prints via online contemporary art dealer Image Republic ― compare and contrast the foods, fashions, cultures, and cityscapes of the City of Stars and City of Lights. And, as an added bonus, precise GPS coordinates are included next to each illustrated page bringing the experience of these two incredible cities 'off the page' and into the real world!

Cleverly divided into seven distinct sections, Why LA, Pourquoi Paris? looks at:

* Cityscapes & Landmarks Magnifiques
* Culture Celebre: Cinema, Entertainment & Glamour
* Fashion, Style & Shopping à la Mode
* Sports & Leisure
* Communicating Ideas: Art & Culture
* Cuisine & Dining
* Cities in Motion

"I have lived in Los Angeles most of my life, and never tire of waking up each day to it," writes Ratican in the book's foreword. "It is an eclectic, energetic, and stunningly beautiful place."

"However, like a true Parisian woman who believes she can have the best of both worlds, Los Angeles is my husband and Paris is my lover," she continues. "Paris has its own drama and majesty, and like no other city I have ever traveled to, enables me to experience the privilege of being who I really am."

A singular, delightful, and beautiful addition to the art book market brimming with joie de vivre and cool California glamour, Why LA? Pourquoi Paris? is a must-have for the bookcases, coffee tables, and suitcases of jetsetters, art lovers, culture enthusiasts alike.

DIANE RATICAN received her bachelor of arts degree in History and Sociology from the University of California Berkeley, and then earned her master of arts degree in Sociology and Education from UCLA. She started her career educating gifted children, and then moved on to become a risk-taking entrepreneur who built a highly successful business importing children's clothing from France for upscale retailers across the U.S. Ratican's excitement for and infatuation with Paris, her second home, plus her enthusiasm for her resident city, Los Angeles, uniquely positions her to engage readers to develop their own love affair with both of these dynamic destinations.

Beginning with serial illustrations for the French edition of ELLE magazine in 1996, ERIC GIRIAT has since flooded the magazine, advertising, and book publishing industries in many fields internationally, from fashion to economics, politics, psychology, children's books, interior design, the luxury industry, culture, and portraits. He also works with fashion and product design, designing T-shirt and pullover motifs for JOOP! (Germany), pillows, giant stickers, and skirts for Dona Fusion (Brazil); Cognac bottles for Hennessy, and an organic bag for La Grande Epicerie Paris.

NICK LU is a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, with a degree in illustration. Nick lives in Los Angeles and works as an illustrator; his clients include The New Yorker, Wired, The Boston Globe, Bloomberg View, and Macmillan Children's Publishing.