“This little book was born by chance, without a reason,” writes Paolo Roversi , “One must take it as it is, as one collects a stone, as one hears a song, or as a bird whistles at the bottom of the garden.” Libretto is the result of Roversi and Gerhard Steidl ’s desire to produce a book of fashion beyond fashion: a humble yet sumptuous book object of 21 photos—still lifes, nudes and clothed models, linked not by logic but atmosphere, light, shadow, color and contour—printed on Phoenix Motion Xantur paper (since discontinued) gathered in Japanese folds, bound with handmade Tibetan paper and a clear acetate jacket—all packed, like a gift, in a box.