Nothing compares to a book in its ability to transport you into an entirely new landscape.
Whether you prefer inhaling the current bestseller or engrossing yourself in a literary classic, sometimes only a hearty dose of pictorial extravagance will lift your spirits.
Fashion coffee table books present the perfect means to infuse your home with a splash of glamour. Will the electronic version elevate your interior with its achingly chic front cover?
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No, but a gorgeous weighty volume with crystal clear imagery certainly will. And this season you'll be spoilt for choice since there are plenty of great options to pique your sartorial curiosity.
Immerse yourself into an entirely new setting, be it Christian Dior's 1950s atelier or behind the lens of eminent fashion photographer Norman Parkinson...
How we chose:
- Genre: The best fashion books aren't merely pretty objects to be admired from across the sitting room, for style obsessives they can offer such rich insights into the minds of industry greats. Our picks span from photography to design, but they are all centred around the theme of fashion.
- Display-worthy front cover: They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and generally we're inclined to agree. But the coffee table books we've highlighted below all feature beautiful, thoughtful covers that deserve to be admired.
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Hello! Fashion shares the best fashion coffee table books to shop now:
Best Fashion Coffee Table Books
Peter Lindbergh On Fashion Photography 40th Edition
Having captured that image of the supermodels as well as the Pirelli Calendar three times, Peter Lindbergh is a true industry icon. His photographic archive is a wonder to behold. This edition, spanning 40 years and featuring more than 300 images, offers a unique insight into his approach and subjects. It also contains an updated introduction, adapted from a 2016 interview, which illuminates the man behind the lens.
Norman Parkinson: Always In Fashion
Industry legend Norman Parkinson changed the face of fashion photography, bringing the craft outside the studio and into real-life locations. He took great care to capture the natural habits of his subjects, including the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Hall and Jean Seberg, and his style contributed greatly to 'the look' of several different decades. This book pays tribute to some of his most striking images.
Gabrielle Chanel
Complex and radical, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel is one of fashion's most revered figures. Spanning her life and work, this beautiful keepsake by the V&A draws on the themes of its current exhibition, celebrating both the legacy of her pieces - think LBDs and quilted leather bags - and her innovative eye.
Slim Aarons: Women
While Slim Aarons may not have considered himself to be a fashion photographer, there is something unmistakeable in his work which oozes enduring style. Focusing on capturing the glamorous lifestyles of the elite, it is impossible to not fall head over heels for his stellar portraits.
Vogue: The Covers
For magazine obsessives, no other book will compare. Vogue: The Covers is a complete visual treat, paying homage to the brand's extensive back catalogue. Prompting nostalgia and radiating beauty, this edition even includes five new frameable prints for collectors to enjoy.
The Royal Wardrobe
With story-telling at its heart, this book digs into the economic, social and political significance of royal apparel. Coronation gowns, priceless jewels and meaningful motifs feature throughout - a must-read for historical fashion fanatics.
Helmut Newton: Portraits
Stunning and startling pretty much sums up Helmut Newton's collection of celebrity portraits. View the likes of Andy Warhol, Sophia Loren and Grace Jones through an entirely new lens and appreciate the magnitude of Newton's contribution to fashion photography.
Dior: Couture
Christian Dior's landmark 'New Look' changed the face of post-war dressing, and the legacy of this pivotal moment is still felt today. Flip through an exquisite library of haute couture pieces, captured by internationally renowned photographer Patrick Demarchelier, and immerse yourself in the history of the house...
Why you should trust me:
Orin Carlin is Hello! Fashion’s SEO Content Writer. Promising to leave no stone unturned in the name of fashion and beauty journalism, she is the proud creator of our ‘Try The Trend’ series. With a particular interest in formula innovation, microtrends, royal and bridal beauty, perfume, rituals, treatments, fashion history and vintage icons, she can either be found interviewing major industry names (previous subjects include Georgia May Jagger, Mary Greenwell and Sam McKnight) or scouring the internet for must-have pieces. It's not just a job; it's a personal quest to unearth noteworthy pieces that resonate with style and beauty enthusiasts.
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