Display-worthy, thought-provoking and endlessly shareable — these volumes are conversation in physical form.
There is a deep and exciting assortment of coffee table books to choose from this fall, spanning the worlds of photography and culture, food, fashion, and so much more. From image makers whose work has graced the covers of magazines and the walls of art galleries alike, to retrospectives of industry-changing fashion designers, there’s a page turner for everyone. These volumes chronicle the culture unfolding around us and are as collectible as the art they display.
If your eyes and spirit are ever starved for beauty (to quote the inimitable André Leon Talley), look no further than one of these tomes to satiate that optical hunger. Here, our selection of coffee table books that will awaken the reader’s imagination and spark endless conversation…while making the perfect gift that anyone will cherish for years to come.
ERDEM
He’s dressed everyone from the Duchess of Sussex to Nicole Kidman and won some incredible awards along the way. Now, a new book celebrating 20 years of Erdem Moralioğlu’s eponymous brand is revealing what inspires the London-based designer — from recipes to art to a short story by friend and acclaimed novelist Hanya Yanagihara and other collaborators. It also contains snapshots that Moralioğlu has taken himself that give a glimpse into the grandeur and artistry of his runway shows as well as those imaginative behind the scenes moments in his studio. It’s an encyclopedic history of the indelible mark the designer has made on the fashion industry at large, as well as on the London community he calls home.
Courtesy of RIZZOLI INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS
TYLER MITCHELL: WISH THIS WAS REAL
A once-in-a-generation photographer who has helped us to examine what it means to be Black today, Tyler Mitchell is sought after and celebrated for a reason. This 272-page book is an exhaustive study of his early career — including his portraits taken across the globe from America to West Africa, showcasing the creativity and self-excavation within his artistic practice and his rule-bending photographs. Pore over the photos or, when you have time, dive into Anna Wintour’s foreword or a poignant poem from LA’s Poet Laureate Emeritus Robin Coste Lewis that explores Mitchell’s thought processes behind his groundbreaking work.
Courtesy of APERTURE
SQUEEZE ME: LEMON RECIPES & ART
Food is one of the most ancient and delicious forms of art. So it only makes sense that one of the world’s most prized fruits, the versatile and bright lemon, would get the artistic treatment from two of the world’s most brilliant creatives. Chef Ruthie Rogers of London’s coveted River Café and influential artist and self-declared lemon lover Edward Ruscha put the fruit center stage in this volume that combines 55 mouthwatering recipes with extraordinary images, delivering both culinary and visual pleasure. Whether you’re in the mood for a lemon tart or want to wow your guests with a divine appetizer, this book is both functional and delectable.
Courtesy of RIZZOLI INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS
FROM LOUIS TO VUITTON
The Damier-style case and the eye-catching yellow cover of this read is a work of art in itself. But what’s inside is even more extraordinary — the origin story of one of the most beloved fashion houses of all time. With over 400 pictures documenting the Louis Vuitton journey from its founding year 1854 to the present, and categorized into more than 50 themes, you can open any page of this book for instant inspiration.
Courtest of ASSOULINE
THE JEWELRY BOOK
Ever wondered what Erykah Badu, Josephine Baker and The Notorious B.I.G. have in common? Aside from being cultural and music icons, the trio also have some of the best jewelry collections in the world. They are just three of the powerhouses showcased in this tome, which is a visual encyclopedia of the world’s finest jewels. From artists to designers to luxury houses and arranged in A to Z order, this book demonstrates how valuable jewelry is to not only the art and fashion worlds, but to global culture at-large.
Courtesy of PHAIDON
FUNK & SOUL COVERS
The funk and soul genres of the 1950s to 1970s were a sonic extension of Black American creativity, culture, joy and resistance. And the album artwork that the artists and bands produced were as unique as the tunes — bathed in bold color and imaginative fonts with the adventurous fashions of the era, while highlighting the social-justice movements of the time. This book explores more than 500 record covers from this pivotal 20-year period in a vibrant blast from the past that feels like an old-school playlist you can touch.
Courtesy of TASCHEN
M&OTHERS: FASHION & MOTHERHOOD
Our mothers, aunts, grandmothers and other early caregivers are often the sources of deep inspiration, including how we approach our style. The fashion industry has long revered these types of figures as well — be it their maternal muses or the artisans that make magic in the house ateliers. From the Virgin Mary to Valérie Jacquemus (mother of Jacquemus designer Simon Porte Jacquemus) to Iris Magugu (Thebe Magugu’s mom), this volume celebrates motherhood as the eternal muse through stunning archived photoshoots, runway images, artwork and more. It’s the first international book dedicated to this subject matter, so it’s a must-have for any discerning collection. Plus, it’s the perfect gift for all the mothers in your life.
Courtesy of LANNOO PUBLISHERS
LOVE, PAATI
Writer Nethra Gomatheswaran wanted to document the beauty customs of her family, which were lost when her great-grandmother passed away. For Love, Paati, she turned to her grandmother and tapped other South Indian families, amassing an almanac of Indian beauty recipes, from turmeric honey paste to infused rice water — with incredible images by photographer Vasanth Kumar as an added visual documentation. You can try these out for yourself: Many have six ingredients or less and they’re the kind of DIY that will leave you feeling nourished and restored.
Courtesy of LOVE, PAATI
The Most Unexpected Cultural Collectible of the Year is a LEGO Bamboo Earring The Most Unexpected Cultural Collectible of the Year is a LEGO Bamboo Earring
The Most Unexpected Cultural Collectible of the Year is a LEGO Bamboo Earring
He Shaped the Vocabulary of Modern Shoe Design. Fashion Forgot. He Shaped the Vocabulary of Modern Shoe Design. Fashion Forgot.
He Shaped the Vocabulary of Modern Shoe Design. Fashion Forgot.
My Space: Carrie Mae Weems My Space: Carrie Mae Weems
My Space: Carrie Mae Weems
Film, Fashion, and Next Gen Storytellers at SCAD Film, Fashion, and Next Gen Storytellers at SCAD
Film, Fashion, and Next Gen Storytellers at SCAD
Welcome to the Era of the Slash Welcome to the Era of the Slash
Welcome to the Era of the Slash
My Space: Priyanka Chopra Jonas My Space: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
My Space: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Creative Inquiry: 7 Questions With Photographer Dee Dwyer Creative Inquiry: 7 Questions With Photographer Dee Dwyer
Creative Inquiry: 7 Questions With Photographer Dee Dwyer
Jennie Baptiste’s New Exhibition Bridges Generations Jennie Baptiste’s New Exhibition Bridges Generations
