Obsessed with thinking about thinking, Barthes' life was a stylish intellectual adventure. He was also a hedonist, a meticulous dresser, gay, sensitive, sardonic, sociable, gossipy. He made reading a sacrament. With his unique vision, Barthes has helped us to read the world
Independent on Sunday
Only lightweights read gushy coffee-table books of the 'Monsieur X is the best designer in the world!' variety; to be truly hardcore, get your hands on Roland Barthes' <i>The Fashion System</i>. Struggle to the end of this and, boy, will you feel clever
Guardian
Barthes was an enormously alluring, sympathetic and sexy character
Independent