Fashion Books You Need for Your Coffee Table
Coffee tables have become more than a surface for us to rest our mugs and magazines. They are the focal point of our living rooms, an area we can create a creative display for visitors to admire. Whether you go for gothic, modern or rustic it’s time to make a design statement with your coffee table accessories. A small family of candles, vintage ornaments, a bright flower arrangement, all elements essential for a statement coffee table. But with a collection of fashion books stacked one upon the other, their stylish spines are bound to get your guests attention. We’ve rounded up some of our fashion favourites, not only are they great decorative pieces, but they are informative, inspirational and should be on every fashionista’s coffee table.
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
By Andrew Bolton
The release of Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty coincided with the eponymous exhibition arranged by The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in 2011. Written by The Costume Institute’s curator, Andrew Bolton, with commentary from Susannah Frankel (Fashion Editor of The Independent), Tim Blanks (Contributing Editor of Style.com) and interviews with Sarah Burton, creative director of the McQueen brand.
The book is divided into sections, each chapter representing a room in the Savage Beauty exhibition including Romantic Nationalism and Cabinet of Curiosities. Featuring imagery of some of McQueen’s most provocative and generation defining work, and enlightening quotes from the designer himself, it will have you captivated from beginning to end.
Love x Style x Life
By Garance Dore
Brought to you by A-list French fashionista, Garance Dore, this charming and light-hearted book takes a candid look at Garance’s approach to the fashion world. With immense influencer status, Garance provides the perfect balance of honesty and humour in Love x Style x Life. Giving readers a behind the scenes look at her enviably fashionable life is done so with just the right amount of wit and candour. Light-hearted and well-written with a friendly and personable narrative, Love x Style x Life is guaranteed to make you smile, and maybe even feel a little inspired.
In Vogue: An Illustrated History of the World’s Most Famous Magazine
By Alberto Oliva & Norberto Angeletti, with commentary from Anna Wintour
Presenting the grand supreme, 444 pages of Vogue’s most iconic imagery. From humble beginnings as fashion illustrations, to budget blowing couture photoshoots, this heavy-hardback takes us on a visual journey from the late eighteen hundred’s through to today.
The matriarch of magazines, Vogue has provided us with some of the most ground breaking, fantastical and transcending editorial images of all time. In Vogue explores the dramatic changes throughout the eras of various editors, from eccentric trailblazer Diana Vreeland during the sixties, to cultural icon and current editor in chief of American Vogue, Anna Wintour. Showcasing the very best of art, high society and avant-garde fashion over 120 years, no fashionista’s coffee table is complete without In Vogue.
Grace – A Memoir
By Grace Coddington
This cat-loving, tangerine coloured haired, no-nonsense ladyboss has been creative director at large of American Vogue for almost 30 years and now imparts her Graceful wisdom on us all. Responsible for some of American Vogue’s most distinguished and mesmerising imagery, (many of which will be included in In Vogue) Grace tells us her story and a witty and upfront manner. Until the release of Vogue documentary – The September Issue, which saw camera’s follow both Grace and long-time colleague Anna Wintour during the most important issue of the year. Audience’s wanted more of this straight-talking, undeniably creative and soon to be iconic, creative director. Grace’s storytelling truly makes you feel like you’re re-living her incredible life right alongside her. With vintage photographs and quirky, exclusive illustrations throughout, a tangerine coloured cover (of course) and a satin ribbon bookmark, this one will brighten up any old table.
Gio-Graphy: Serious Fun in the Wild World of Fashion
By Giovanna Battaglia
Style icon with a fun-loving attitude and a fearless approach to fashion, native Italian, Giovanna Battaglia is a fashion heroine of the digital age. Not only is Gio a stylist, editor and contributor to W magazine, but she is a street style goddess! Knowing exactly how to be taken as a serious contender in the fashion world, but not taking yourself too seriously is exactly what Gio is all about. Gio-Graphy explores Giovanna’s top tips for living a fashionable life, and tricks of the trade she’s learned from industry friends such as designer Carolina Herrera and international fashion journalist, Anna Dello Russo. Giovanna’s writing is just as vibrant and entertaining as her unique sense of style.
Chanel: Collections & Creations
By Daniele Bott
Chanel. The nucleus of the high fashion world. The epitome of class, elegance and femininity, Chanel: The Collections & Creations showcases never-before seen photographs of alluring garments, elaborate jewellery, stunning models and exclusive fashion illustrations by both Coco Chanel herself, and her successor, Karl Lagerfeld.
Centred around five main themes synonymous with Chanel; the suit, the camellia flower (which is beautifully photographed for the cover), accessories, make up and perfume, and of course, the little black dress. The book explores how each of these elements have inspired new designers and the influence Chanel has had in the fashion world. Published over 10 years ago, this book will never date. Just like the little black dress.
