Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills along with W Magazine’s Editor in Chief Stefano Tonchi and actress Catherine Keener hosted an event to celebrate W’s 40^th anniversary and the book release of W: The First 40 Years.

This month marks the 40th anniversary of W and the culmination of a yearlong celebration of the brand’s rich history and 40-year legacy in storytelling through fashion photography.  No other magazine is as risk-taking, provocative and art-inspired as W is.  And no other magazine has developed and nurtured the careers of so many of the industry’s best photographers including, Steven Klein, Mert Atlas and Marcus Piggott, and Steven Meisel, among others.

In celebration of W’s 40th anniversary, the magazine is publishing its first-ever coffee-table book titled, W: The First 40 Years.  The book is a stunning collection of the most influential and iconic features and images culled from the magazine’s first four decades. Since 1972, W’s unique blend of unparalleled access, cultural smarts, high glamour, and visual panache has kept it consistently in the vanguard of what’s new and noteworthy in the world of fashion, art, design, beauty, celebrity, and high society.

The book, which was edited by Stefano Tonchi with Christopher Bagley and Joseph Logan (Abrams, Hardcover, November 2012), is divided into three sections—Who, Where, and Wow—with introductory essays by W magazine contributors Lynn Hirschberg, Marian McEvoy, and Vince Aletti. W: The First 40 Years also includes a foreword by W founder John B. Fairchild, an introduction by current editor-in-chief Tonchi, memorable excerpts from social columnists Suzy and Countess Louise J. Esterhazy, a colorful gatefold of all the covers since 1972, and an insert of some of the spectacular parties that W has covered through the years. Saks Fifth Avenue is the official retail partner of W’s 40^th anniversary year. www.wmagazine.com

Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills is located at: 9600 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills CA www.s5a.com