The design critic on Maggie Nelson’s beguiling writing, a truly creepy sculpture and a northern soul classic
Born in Manchester, Alice Rawsthorn has been described as “the best design critic in the entire world”. She studied art history at the University of Cambridge before beginning her career as a journalist for publications including the New York Times, the Financial Times and Frieze. From 2001 to 2006 she was director of the Design Museum. She has published several books including a biography of Yves Saint Laurent and Hello World: Where Design Meets Life. Her latest, Design as an Attitude, is out 14 June (JRP Ringier, £16).