Virago Modern Classics
Special editions to celebrate 30 years of VMCs

2008 is the 30th anniversary of the Virago Modern Classics. To celebrate this occasion, a stunning set of eight hardbacks is being published by Virago, featuring cover artwork by twentieth-century women textile designers, including Lucienne Day, Cath Kidston, Orla Kiely, Celia Birtwell, and founder of Biba, Barbara Hulanicki. This stylish collection, celebrating literature and art by women in the twentieth century even featured in the Sunday Times style barometer (going up, of course).

Carmen Callil remembers how it all began
Justine Picardie remembers discovering the books that changed her life
Rachel Cooke looks at how the imprint changed the publishing landscape for ever