[Wish List]: Must Have Fashion Books

Tom Ford - Rizolli International Publishing - here.

This huge, beautiful volume covers each Tom Ford's Gucci years individually, compiling product shots, ads, runway shots, quotes, Gucci-loving celebrities and commercial stills. A true must have for any collection.

Harper's Bazaar: The Greatest Hits - Abrams Publishing - here.

Harper’s Bazaar is America’s longest-running fashion magazine, revered for its style-setting contributions to fashion, photography, and graphic design. This beautiful compilation of some of the most iconic images of this decade shot by well-known photographers and featuring supermodels and celebrities, is the perfect gift for any fashion lover. 

Matthew Williamson - Rizolli International Publishing - here.

Celebrated for his luxe, bohemian chic creations, Matthew Williamson has become one of the most celebrated designers working today. His exquisite attention to detail and eye for color has been a continuing thread through each season, beginning with his acclaimed debut in 1997. This stunning book explores it all and is a perfect source of inspiration for the fashion obsessed. 

Yves Saint Laurent - Abrams Publishing - here.

The first comprehensive retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent's work, this beautiful book also accompanied an exhibition of some 250 garments from the collection of the Fondation Pierre Bergé–Yves Saint Laurent at the Petit Palais in Paris. The volume also explores the designer's early years, his muses and inspiration. 

Dior Couture - Rizolli International Publishing - here.

This book catalogues portraits of over one hundred gorgeous gowns from the entire era of Christian Dior haute couture, including dresses designed by the designer himself. All of the images were shot by Patrick Demarchelier, one of the fashion world's most known an adored photographers.

Fashion: 150 Years of Couturiers, Designers, Labels - h. f. Ullmann - here.

This book is devoted to the legendary world of fashion from its origins in the nineteenth century until our own time. Covering social and cultural developments, as well as designers and the impact they made on certain eras, this fashion history book gives a comprehensive perspective on what has made fashion what it is today. This is a great gift for anyone that loves fashion and would like to understand its history as well as its present form. 

 LANVIN - Rizolli International Publishing - here.

Known the oldest surviving couture house, Lanvin's history is rich and beautiful. A fantastic look into Jeanne Lanvin's body of work, this volume covers key collections from 1909 through 1946, the year of Lanvin’s death. Expect fashion illustrations and a close look into Madame Lanvin's creative and innovative techniques. 

PRADA - Abrams Publishing - here.

Documenting three decades of ground-breaking fashion, architecture, film and art by the Prada company, this book gives an in-depth look at the label's creative partnerships with photographers, designers, architects and film directors through thousands of images of looks, accessories, runway shows, store designs, film stills, streetstyle snaps, and press clips. Incredibly comprehensive and a true collectors item for any Prada fanatic, this one is definitely on my own list this year.

Thierry Mugler: Galaxy Glamour - Thames & Hudson - here.

Iconic French couturier Thierry Mugler's cutting-edge designs have seduced fans of fashion since the establishment of the Mugler house in the 1970s. This book covers five key themes found in his designs - fantasy, anatomy, metamorphosis, heroines, and stars— and features examples of his most outrageous work.  

Harry Winston - Rizolli International Publishers - here.

This incredible and dazzling look into the history of Harry Winston, "King of Diamonds", showcases his most exquisite jewels and jewelry designs through a collection of advertising campaigns, historic images, and celebrity photos. Also showcased are the Hope, Lesotho, and Vargas diamonds, some of the most important stones the company has worked with (helloooo darlings). 

Balenciaga and Spain - Rizolli Publishing  - here.

This unprecedented volume accompanies the first exhibition to consider the impact of Spain’s culture, history, and art on one of its greatest designers of the twentieth century, the legendary  Cristóbal Balenciaga. The iconic designer transformed the way women dressed in his time and seduced some of the most stylish women of his time with his designs. Exploring the profound and enduring influence of Balenciaga’s native country on his work, this book considers the influences of Spain’s greatest artists and its royal history on the now famous designs. Fashion connoisseur? You need this book. 

Van Cleef & Arpels: Timeless Beauty - Xavier Barral Editions - here.

The French jewelry pioneer Van Cleef & Arpels can be credited with many milestones in the jewelry industry, including: the first watch with a leather strap (1923); the famous "Mystery Setting" technique, a paving procedure that uses no visible claws to contain the stone; the Zip necklace, which opens and closes like a zip (1950); and more recently, the Lotus "Between-the-Finger" ring (2001). This book now explores this incredible history and the firm's excellence with 280 full-color reproductions of it's most beautiful creations.

100 Years of Fashion Illustration - Laurence King Publishers - here.

A collection of 400 gorgeous images, this volume is a comprehensive survey of the artform  over the last 100 years. If you're feeling creative, take the images from the book and frame them for quick and chic DYI wall art. 

Which of these is going on your holiday wish list?

 

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