Sometimes, you need things to get lost in. Whether it’s a song, a performance, a moment.
I have always appreciated coffee table books for this reason. They are not just a collection of fancy images (though of course I love those), they also go much deeper into the inspiration, history and process behind the subject. Fashion and jewelry always make perfect categories for a coffee table book, and I recently discovered some that go beyond the usual, to highlight hidden inspirations, lesser-known design houses, and the grit behind each stitch.
So get that mug of coffee or cocoa, and read along.
1. Erdem
Born to a Turkish father and English mother in Canada, Erdem is, perhaps, one of the lesser talked about designers in the fashion industry. This book goes deeper into his design sensibility and his sometimes romantic, sometimes humorous collections. The foreword by Anna Wintour calls him “brave”. Adding to that, he is also quite intuitive. Taking inspiration from English muses, he is not afraid of color, splashing them on his wares generously. The image-heavy book gives commentary from stylists, editors, museum curators on the magic of Erdem. Celebrating 20 years of Erdem, it’s a definite read if you enjoy genius.
2. Pucci: The Art of Fashion
Another designer who played with color like a rioter was Emilio Pucci. A legend, who framed much of the design vocabulary we use everyday now. What you call boho chic today was innovation then. He was unabashed, putting together colors and cuts that you didn’t know you could! Starting with a heartfelt tribute by his daughter Laudomia Pucci, the book goes on to share anecdotes and stories on how this Italian designer inspired them. Indeed, Christian Lacroix, a former designer at Pucci, says, “When it comes to prints, there are archetypes: cashmere, folk, ethnic, baroque, abstract, arabesque, floral, striped, polka-dot, checked, pop art, and so on. And in the last three-quarters of a century, the sum of all this, with a style that is as new as it is inexhaustible: the “Pucci” style.” This book mirrors the joy de vivre of the designer, making it a beautiful addition to your library.
3. Dior Enchanting Gardens
You may or may not know, but Christian Dior was as much a gardener at heart as a designer. His book shows another side of Dior, talking about the extensive history of Granville gardens – his childhood garden – which possibly fueled his fascination for architecture, fashion & perfumery. His childhood villa, called Les Rhumbs, was built on a clifftop in Granville, harboring a stunning garden created painstakingly by his mother. It had micro architecture, where people could stop, observe, and enjoy. It wasn’t just a spread of flowers.
Although his childhood garden was eventually turned into a public garden, Dior modeled the garden of his first rural retreat in Milly-La-Foret just like the garden his mother had created. With his hands inside dirt, he planted much of the flora and fauna on his own.
Dior’s love for gardens was translated into his fashion collections too. The book goes on to point out the influence of rose, iris, buttercup, daisies and dandelions, and even plant motifs on Dior’s couture creations. It’s a great study into how simple inspirations can become unparalleled creations. A beautiful book that goes deep into the history and personality of Dior, it’s as important for a fashion enthusiast as a nature lover.
4. Stetson: American Icon
Did you know that the cowboy hat was not invented in the West, but in East America? In Philadelphia to be precise! ‘Stetson’ is not the first name that comes to your mind when you think of fashion, but it certainly is an important story of American fashion and ingenuity. This book is a wonderful exploration into the iconic hat that has its own anatomy, its quirks, and its cinematic moments. Sketches, posters, advertisements – they all paint a picture of an accessory you might not have wondered about before. You won’t be bored with this tome, getting hooked with the previously unheard-of nuggets of style!
5. Rough and Ready: A History of Cowboy Boots
What can be more fitting than another cowboy book in the year United States of America turns 250 years old? As much a staple of the wild, wild West as the cowboy hat, the cowboy boot has its own complex history. Starting as a utilitarian accessory, this boot has become a high fashion staple as well. Remember Pharell Williams’ recent collection for Louis Vuitton? Created to accompany an exhibition at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, the book is an interesting tunnel down sartorial history!
6. Cartier Monaco
Grace Kelly loved Cartier before she became a princess. Her fairytale romance with Prince Rainier III of Monaco was cemented by Cartier in more ways than one. Indeed, the royal Grimaldi family of Monaco was swearing by this French brand since much before, having given it the Royal Warrant in 1920. It has been renewed multiple since then, with the most recent one given in 2025. In fact, a royal portrait of Princess Grace wearing a Cartier Grain de café necklace was translated into a 1957 stamp, making the jeweler a part of Monaco’s history forever. How deep is Cartier’s love affair with Monaco is evidenced by the foreword written by Prince Albert II of Monaco for this book.
Monaco not just served as a great retail point for the jewelry brand, but also an endless source of inspiration. This beautiful book details how the azure waters of the Mediterranean helped Cartier craft turtle brooches and palm tree necklaces, which have been much favored by its patrons around the world.
The journal also details how, when Monte Carlo became the meeting point for all of the world’s intellectuals, royals and elites post-World War II, they sought Cartier for some glitter. From Wallis Simpson to the Maharani of Baroda Sita Devi to artist Jean Cocteau (who requested Cartier to make a ceremonial sword for him). An endless source of stories and awe, the book drew me in completely.
