Management Philosophy Revealed in Volume About Hot Design Firm

Esprit, The Comprehensive Design Principle, by Doug Tompkins (Robundo: $95, currently at Esprit Superstores and in bookstores in July).

Here is a delightful romp through one of the late-20th Century’s hottest design firms--its products, its stores, its advertising, even its distinctive hang-tags and sales signs. But careful observers will find far more here than stunning color photos, ebulliently laid out and printed on an intriguing selection of strangely coated papers.

In the book’s short text, Esprit founder Tompkins also reveals some unexpected clues to the esprit de corps management philosophy. He’s not too precise about solutions, but he writes thoughtfully about a firm’s responsibility, for instance, “to encourage a consumer to develop style and not be consumptive for consumption’s sake.”

And consider this refreshing bit of honesty on hiring policy: “We try, above all else, to find people who fit into our culture, whose value system is compatible with ours; that socially, politically, aesthetically, professionally and even athletically (!) think fundamentally like we do.”