The Red Fairy Project is all about empowering you to create an inspiring life and I believe a great way to do that is via books. Inspirational books can of course cover a variety of topics and in this case, I chose to zoom in on one of my great loves: fashion. I’ve been collecting fashion coffee table books for several years now and I think it’s about time I share the joy that they bring me so that hopefully they can do the same for you.
Let me state for the record that these books are incredibly beautiful and magical from cover to cover. I might not go into detail about what each one contains* but I am confident you would cherish them dearly because of what they hold inside whether it’s the fascinating content or stunning imagery.
Carine Roitfeld Irreverent
This elegant volume is a visual history of Roitfeld’s fearless career. A daring instigator, she is known for pushing the limits with her subversive styling ideas. Featuring a selection of 250 magazine tear sheets and covers from pivotal editorial shoots and advertising campaigns, as well as intimate visual ephemera, this book gives an inside view into Roitfeld’s creative thought process and sensibility. Purchase book
Louis Vuitton, Art, Fashion and Architecture
Louis Vuitton can claim to maintain the richest and most varied associations with the world of art. Included in this volume are Louis Vuitton’s important collaborations with an elite group of artists, architects, designers, and photographers, such as Jun Aoki, Shigeru Ban, Vanessa Beecroft, Olafur Eliasson, Zaha Hadid, David LaChapelle and more. Look inside book and purchase
Tom Ford by Tom Ford
This book is a complete catalogue of Ford’s design work for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from 1994 to 2004. It chronicles not only Ford’s clothing and accessories designs for both houses, but also explores Ford’s grand vision for the complete design of a brand, including architecture, store design, and advertising. Purchase book
The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier
Published by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Abrams in conjunction with the first-ever retrospective on Gaultier, this stunning hardcover book in a slipcase explores the ties between the designer and the pop/rock music scene, film, and dance, and sheds light on his sources of inspiration, which are as eclectic as they are impertinent. Purchase book
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty examines the full breadth of the designer’s career, from the start of his fledgling label to the triumphs of his own world-renowned London house. It features his most iconic and radical designs, revealing how McQueen adapted and combined the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring, the specialized techniques of haute couture, and technological innovation to achieve his distinctive aesthetic. Purchase book
Living in Style by Rachel Zoe
In these sleek pages, Rachel offers trusted tips and advice-along with style insights from her fellow insiders, friends, and family members. You will find never-before-seen photographs from Rachel’s private archives and learn about her personal icons, from Jane Birkin to Coco Chanel. Looks inside book and purchase
I know that many of you Red Fairy readers are true fashion lovers and I wanted to find out if you had any coffee table books you couldn’t live without so after asking you on Facebook, here is a selection of your favourites:
Chadi Ghafari of lifestyle blog Brunettes Have More Fun:
Vogue Model: The Faces of Fashion
Vogue Model uses photographs and illustrations from more than ninety years of Vogue’s history to tell the fascinating story of the real faces of fashion. Purchase
Joëlle Paquette of fashion blog Very Joëlle:
Giambattista Valli
This book offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of one of the most unique fashion designers working today, with images of his design process and backstage views of runway shows. The volume includes booklets with details of Valli’s lushly complex fabrics and clothing. Look inside book and purchase
Arianne Migneault-Lecavalier creator of Papa n’est pas là hand made art:
Chloé Sevigny
A celebration of the eclectic and daring personal style of the actress and contemporary fashion icon Chloë Sevigny—famous for looking cool without looking like she’s trying. Purchase
Julia Cyboran, Publisher of Châtelaine and LOULOU magazines:
And to finish, these are just a few of the fashion books that are on my wish list. I have to admit that I am lusting after all those suggested above by Chadi, Joëlle, Ariane and Julia so I think I may have several years to patiently wait before I consider my coffee table book collection complete!
Louis Vuitton Fashion Photography
Love x Style x Life by Garance Doré
As I publish this post, we are December 23 so if you were running short on ideas for the perfect present, you still have time to acquire one of these gems for that fashionable someone on your list. Hope this inspired you!
Do you have any fashion books that make your heart swoon? Let me know in the comments below!
Feature image via Eleanor Pendleton. Final image via 66 The Label
*All descriptions of books are from Amazon.