It’s gift-guide time, and don’t tell me I am late, you know you haven’t started shopping for your holiday gifts yet. High on my list is a collection of recently released coffee table books and fashion fairytales on iconic fashion visionaries and designers. I am not quite sure what it is, perhaps a final rebellion against online media, however major fashion houses, former editors and music muses all decided to release fashion tomes this year so read on to see my top 12 picks! Gentlemen are you reading?
12. Gucci, The Making Of (Rizolli)
If you weren’t satisfied with The House of Gucci’s murder mystery (or just too weirded out), rest assured, this book offers nothing, but a detailed history of this iconic brand’s rich history and detail to design. Includes essays and illustrations from the archives!
11. Dior Couture (Rizzoli)
Featuring over 100 illustrations from the Dior Haute Couture collections, and including designs by Dior himself, this book is a must-have inspiration for any stylist dressing clients for this season’s award season!
10. CHANEL The Vocabulary of Style (Yale University Press)
CHANEL through the eyes of top fashion photographers including Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Giles Bensimon and more tells the story of the most iconic designer of the 20th Century.
9. Vogue, The Covers (Abrams)
Given that Vogue has recently unveiled a digital archive of all of their issues since their launch on December 17, 1892, this accompanying title that features their various covers will serve as an economical (the digital archive has a yearly subscription fee of $1,575) and lasting reminder of the first name in fashion.
8. 100 Unforgettable Dresses (Harper Design)
Authored by InStyle‘s fashion director, Hal Rubenstein, 100 Unforgettable Dresses tells 100 beautiful stories as told through dresses and the icons who wore them. Make sure to also check out my video interview with Hal Rubenstein here.
7. Daphne Guinness (Yale University Press)
Socialite, fashion muse and heiress, Daphne Guinness co-authors this book about her style, love for couture and couture’s love for her.
6. Cecil Beaton: The New York Years (Rizzoli)
Now, this name may not be known to you, but his work is. Cecil Beaton was an amazing, and iconic, photographer, illustrator and journalist who revolutionized the fashion industry through his unique eye and talent.
5. Boucheron: The Secret Archives
Now, no list would be complete without a compilation of extraordinary jewels. Boucheron: The Secret Archives features the design house’s early work, early admirers and intimate essays.
4. Balenciaga (Thames & Hudson)
Known to modern-day girls for his motorcycle bags in hot pops of color, Balenciaga was a great Spanish designer who many believe to be the modern father of haute couture. It features over 5oo color illustrations. Talk about inspiration!
3. Fashion Fairytale Memoirs
Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty & Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker are two fashion inspired fairy tales by Camilla Morton with illustrations by the respective designers.
2. Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson (Grand Central Publishing)
Lady Gaga is probably the largest star in the world right now, and her love for fashion is always evident. Never shy and always daring Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson showcases Gaga in a new and personal ways.
1. Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent (Rizzoli)
Rebel, editor, stylist and simply, French. Vogue Paris’ former editor Carine Roitfeld stands behind this volume that details her iconic career.
Happy reading and viewing fashionistas! xo
