Look
''Look'' may refer to:- '''Literature''', including magazines and books (see below)
- '''Film and television''', including films and programs (see below)
- '''Music''', including songs, albums, and EPs (see below)
- '''Businesses and products''', including companies, products, and brands (see below)
- '''Computing and technology''', including software, commands, acronyms, and terms (see below)
Literature
Magazines
The American Look magazine was a prominent biweekly publication focused on photojournalism, lifestyle, fashion, celebrities, and social issues, running from March 1937 to October 1971.[1] Founded in Des Moines, Iowa, by Gardner "Mike" Cowles Jr. and his brother John as part of the Des Moines Register and Tribune holdings, it emphasized visual storytelling through high-quality photography and pictorial essays, distinguishing itself from text-heavy competitors.[2] At its height, the magazine achieved a circulation of 7.75 million copies in 1969, reflecting its broad appeal to middle-class American readers interested in current events and cultural trends.[3] Publication ceased in 1971 amid financial challenges, including a $5 million revenue loss in 1970, intensified competition from television for advertising dollars, a sluggish economy, and rising postal costs.[3] In the United Kingdom, Look of London (often referred to simply as Look) was a short-lived weekly magazine launched on 9 October 1965, targeting readers with content on culture, fashion, pop culture, and current events.[4] Published by Trixways from offices in Salisbury Square, London, it featured 36 pages priced at 2/6 per issue, under editor David Castell and with Ross Benson as diary editor, aiming to capture the vibrant youth-oriented entertainment scene of the era.[4] Notable covers included portraits like actress Glenda Jackson by photographer John Cowan on 25 November 1967, highlighting its focus on visual and lifestyle elements similar to its American counterpart.[4] The magazine folded in 1967, unable to sustain competition from established titles in the crowded British periodical market.[4]Books
Several books titled Look or The Look have been published, distinguishing themselves from magazines through their fixed, one-time format as complete literary works. These include young adult novels, thrillers, and illustrated memoirs exploring themes of identity, deception, and personal style. The Look is a young adult novel by British author Sophia Bennett, first published in 2011 by The Chicken House in the United Kingdom (ISBN 978-1-906424-78-2) and in 2012 by Scholastic Press in the United States (ISBN 978-0-545-46438-3). The story follows two sisters, Ava and Ted, whose lives change when Ted is scouted for modeling and Ava, facing a cancer diagnosis, discovers her talent for fashion design; it examines themes of family bonds, resilience, and the fashion industry's pressures.[5] Look Closer, a psychological thriller co-authored by David Ellis and J.A. Jance, was published on July 5, 2022, by G.P. Putnam's Sons (ISBN 978-0-399-17092-7). The narrative centers on a seemingly perfect Chicago couple whose apparent double suicide unravels into a complex scheme of revenge, greed, and corporate corruption, challenging readers' perceptions through nonlinear storytelling and investigative twists.[6] The Look, an illustrated memoir by former First Lady Michelle Obama with contributions from stylist Meredith Koop and foreword by Farah Jasmine Griffin, appeared on November 4, 2025, from Crown Publishing Group (ISBN 978-0-593-80070-6). Featuring over 200 photographs, including previously unpublished images, it traces Obama's fashion journey from her White House years to post-presidency life, emphasizing how style serves as a tool for empowerment, visibility, and self-expression amid societal expectations.[7]Film and Television
Films
Look (2007) is an American drama film directed by Adam Rifkin, employing a found footage style to depict interconnected stories of ordinary people caught on surveillance cameras, focusing on themes of infidelity and human vulnerability through multiple perspectives. The cast includes Hayes MacArthur as Tony, Spencer Redford as Sherri, and Jamie McShane as Berry; the film has a runtime of 98 minutes and was produced by Captured Films. It premiered at the CineVegas Film Festival on June 9, 2007, before a limited theatrical release on December 14, 2007, earning a 60% approval rating from critics for its voyeuristic approach to privacy in the digital age.[8][9][10]) Look (2009) is a British short film directed by Priya Gunda, exploring the emptiness accompanying beauty through a dream-inspired narrative where a model enters a restaurant, prompting fantasies from a barmaid. Starring Samantha Dakin and Hayley Marie Norman, it runs for 10 minutes and was screened at film festivals.[11] Look (2023) is an independent American short film directed by Noah J. Welter, presenting an experimental narrative on perception and innate fear, where gazing into darkness prompts the realization that something gazes back. Starring Kodie Warnell as Ronnie, Julia Silverman, and Brian Ceponis, it runs for 6 minutes and explores psychological tension in a minimalist style. Produced independently, the film has screened at various festivals, highlighting emerging voices in short-form cinema.[12][13]Television programs
"Look" is an American drama television series created by Adam Rifkin that premiered on Showtime on October 10, 2010.[14] The series consists of 11 episodes, each approximately 30 minutes long, and was filmed entirely from the perspective of security cameras to explore the hidden behaviors of ordinary people in Los Angeles when they believe they are unobserved.[15] It serves as a spiritual successor to Rifkin's 2007 feature film of the same name, expanding on themes of voyeurism and human complexity through interconnected storylines involving diverse characters such as high school students, retail workers, and professionals.[16] Rifkin directed several episodes, including the pilot, while the cast features notable performances by Gina Gershon as the department store manager Mary, alongside Jamie Ray Newman, Haley Hudson, and Colton Haynes in supporting roles that highlight the ensemble's portrayal of everyday moral ambiguities.[17] The show's format emphasizes a non-linear narrative across a single week, blending drama with subtle social commentary on privacy and surveillance in urban life.[18] Despite critical interest in its innovative cinematography, the series concluded after its single season. It was available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video until its removal in 2022 and remains unavailable on major platforms as of November 2025.[19] "Look" (1955–1969) was a British documentary television series broadcast on BBC, covering topics in arts, culture, and current affairs over 14 years.[20]Music
Songs
No notable songs titled "Look" are verified in this context; see other sections for related media.Albums and EPs
Look is the title of several music albums and extended plays across various genres. Beth Nielsen Chapman's seventh studio album, Look, released on April 5, 2005, by Sanctuary Records, consists of 11 tracks with a total runtime of approximately 54 minutes. Drawing from country, folk, and pop influences, the album delves into themes of love and human connection, inspired by the singer-songwriter's recovery from breast cancer. Critics praised its introspective lyrics and poignant arrangements, with AllMusic awarding it 4 out of 5 stars for its emotional resonance and maturity.[21] The record charted at number 63 on the UK Albums Chart, establishing key context for Chapman's evolution as an artist.[22] In the instrumental realm, Blake Mills issued the EP Look on November 30, 2018, via Verve Records. This five-track release, clocking in at about 26 minutes, was improvised using 1970s Japanese guitar synthesizers, creating ambient soundscapes that blend modern classical and electronic elements. The EP received acclaim for its vulnerability and innovative texture, with Pitchfork describing it as an "exquisite vulnerability at the intersection of ambient and modern classical."[23] It highlights Mills' production prowess, diverging from his singer-songwriter roots to emphasize conceptual sonic exploration.[24] South Korean girl group Apink's ninth EP, Look, came out on April 13, 2020, under Play M Entertainment, featuring seven tracks totaling around 24 minutes in the K-pop genre. Blending upbeat R&B and pop with more subdued moods, it includes the lead single "Dumhdurum," which topped Korean charts and garnered millions of views. Reviewers noted its mature shift, with Apple Music highlighting the "muted strength" of their sound.[25] The EP sold over 100,000 copies in its first week, underscoring Apink's enduring popularity.[26] Japanese artist ao debuted with the EP LOOK on March 2, 2022, through Victor Entertainment, comprising eight tracks lasting about 30 minutes in the J-pop style. Known for its superb vocals and meaningful lyricism addressing personal growth and emotion, the release quickly gained traction in Japan. A review commended its emotional depth and production quality, positioning ao as a rising talent in indie pop.[27]Businesses and Products
Companies
Look, Inc. was an American publishing company founded in 1937 in Des Moines, Iowa, by Gardner "Mike" Cowles Jr. and a team from the Des Moines Register and Tribune to produce the photojournalism magazine Look.[2] The company operated under the name Look, Inc. from 1937 to 1945 before being integrated into the Cowles family's media empire as Cowles Magazines from 1946 to 1965, and then as part of Cowles Communications, Inc. from 1965 until the magazine's closure.[1] In 1971, facing financial losses amid rising production costs and competition from television, Cowles Communications ceased publication of Look, leading to the dissolution of the associated publishing operations; the company employed around 1,000 people at the time.[3] Look Cycle International is a French manufacturer of cycling components and bicycles, founded in 1951 in Nevers by Jean Beyl, who initially developed innovative ski bindings inspired by a leg cast from a skiing accident.[28] The company pioneered the Look Nevada binding in 1950, which became a standard in skiing, but shifted focus to cycling in the 1980s after being acquired by entrepreneur Bernard Tapie in 1983; it introduced the world's first mass-produced clipless pedals in 1984 and its first carbon fiber road bike frame in 1986.[28][29] By the 1990s, Look had fully rebranded toward cycling products, including pedals, wheels, and frames used in professional racing, with annual revenue reaching approximately $53 million as of 2021, of which 75% came from international markets.[30] The company remains active as of 2025, sponsoring UCI WorldTour teams such as Cofidis and continuing to innovate in carbon composite technology.[31][32]Products and Brands
Look ski bindings represent a cornerstone of alpine skiing equipment, originating from innovations by French engineer Jean Beyl in the late 1940s. The brand's first major product, the Nevada toe piece released in 1950, introduced a low-profile, step-in design that allowed for easier entry and safer release, significantly reducing leg injuries compared to earlier cable bindings. This patented system revolutionized skiing safety and accessibility, becoming a standard in competitive and recreational use; by the 1960s, Look bindings were adopted by Olympic athletes, including multiple gold medalists in events like the downhill and slalom.[33] Modern lines, such as the NX series (e.g., NX 12 Dual), continue this legacy with adjustable release values, lightweight construction, and compatibility with ISO 5355 and GripWalk soles, catering to all-mountain and freeride skiers. Expanding beyond bindings, Look entered the cycling market in the 1980s, developing the first mass-produced clipless pedals, the PP 65, in 1984, which clipped shoes directly to pedals for improved power transfer and efficiency.[34] This innovation, still influential today, led to a full range of products including high-end carbon road bikes like the 795 Blade RS aero model and the 785 Huez climbing bike, designed for professional racing and endurance with aerodynamic tubing and lightweight frames under 7 kg. The brand's apparel line, launched as an extension of its performance ethos, focuses on technical sportswear such as breathable jerseys, windproof jackets, and bib shorts made from moisture-wicking fabrics, available globally through specialized retailers. These products emphasize French craftsmanship, with features like UV protection and stretch materials for summer rides, reflecting Look's commitment to integrated rider equipment since its diversification from ski gear.Computing and Technology
Software and Commands
Thelook command is a standard utility in Unix-like operating systems designed to search for lines in a sorted text file that begin with a specified string. It performs a binary search to efficiently locate matching lines, requiring the input file to be sorted in ascending order according to the current locale's collating sequence. This tool has been available since the early days of Unix, appearing in Version 7 Unix released in 1979, and remains a core part of systems like Linux and macOS for tasks such as dictionary lookups or querying sorted datasets.[35][36]
The basic syntax is look [options] string [file], where string is the prefix to match, and file defaults to /usr/share/dict/words if unspecified—a common dictionary file containing English words. Options include -d for dictionary mode (ignoring non-alphanumeric characters except apostrophes and hyphens), -f to fold case (treat uppercase and lowercase as equivalent), and -t char to specify a field terminator other than the default space or tab. For instance, executing look cat on a dictionary file outputs lines starting with "cat", such as "cat", "catalog", and "caterpillar", providing a quick way to explore word prefixes without full-text search overhead.[37]
Although not among the mandatory utilities in the core POSIX.1 standard, look is included in the Single UNIX Specification (SUS) and widely implemented in POSIX-compliant environments, ensuring portability across Unix derivatives. It relies on the LC_COLLATE environment variable for locale-sensitive sorting and produces no output if no matches are found, with an exit status of 0 for success or 1 for no matches (and 2+ for errors). This command's efficiency stems from its binary search algorithm, making it suitable for large sorted files where linear searches like grep would be slower.[38][36]