One of the easiest and chicest way to decorate your living space is with coffee table books. Think of them as a classic fashion item like a LBD that you can dress up or dress down depending on how you display them. Make them the star of your décor story by artfully arranging a few of your most impactful looking ones on your dining room buffet, office bookshelf and, of course, your coffee table. Stack them to create a stylish pedestal for decorative bowls, boxes or floral vessels. Many interior designers also use books specifically to add a pop of colour to a room—it’s an affordable way to switch up your space rather than investing in new furnishings or wallpaper.
We love a home stacked with super-stylish books with personality, ones that reflect your stylish self. The thing about fashionable coffee table books is they are conversation starters—think of how many times you have been at a dinner party and commented on the host’s book selections.
Whether you are just starting your collection of fashionable books, or looking for a few newbies, here are seven favourites to add to your library.
Vogue Paris: 100 Years by Vogue Editors
$82
indigo.ca
This just-released tome delivers an stunning visual history of the storied fashion magazine via photographs and illustrations from the publications incredible 100 year history. If you love iconic French style, this one is a must.
Chanel: Collections And Creations by Daniele Bott
$32
indigo.ca
This book taps into five central themes that are classic elements of the Chanel brand: the suit, the camellia, jewelry, makeup and perfume, and the little black dress. It takes the reader through the ages showing how Chanel has evolved each of these classic elements of the house to reflect the times. It’s also packed with stunning visuals including archival photos and illustrations by the great Karl Lagerfield.
Monique Lhuillier: Dreaming of Fashion & Glamour by Monique Lhuillier
$104
indigo.ca
Consider this book by bridal wear designer Monique Lhuillier the stuff of tulle dreams. Lhuillier’s debut book celebrates her incredible wedding dresses and ready-to-wear confections which have been a red carpet favourite since she launched her brand in 1996. Not only will this ultra-stylish book look amazing in your home, it’s a the perfect gift for fashionable bride-to-be!
Manfred Thierry Mugler, Photographer by Manfred Thierry Mugler
$130
indigo.ca
The groundbreaking designer passed away in January of this year, but his creative legacy lives on in this vibrant visual history of his one-of-a-kind work. What you may have not realized about Mugler is that he was the visionary behind all aspects of his brand—he designed, art directed his runway shows as well as his iconic ad campaigns, which he photographed too.
Tom Ford, by Tom Ford and Bridget Foley
$142
amazon.ca
This 2008 classic is Ford’s debut fashion book (he launched the follow up, Tom Ford 002, in 2021) and it is a visual history of his extraordinary design work for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from 1994 to 2004. If you are just starting your fashion book collection, this is the one to grab first—it set a haute new standard for modern coffee table books as only Ford could.
Vogue And The Metropoliatn Museum of Art Costume Institute: Parties, Exhibitions & People, by Hamish Bowles and Chloe Malle
$70
indigo.ca
Vogue contributors Bowles and Malle take you inside fashion’s biggest annual exhibition, documenting the best moments from the Met shows dating from 2005 to 2019. This book is a stunning showcase not just of fashion history, but red carpet style as it documents some of the most showstopping looks from the Met’s gala opening night famously held on the first Monday in May.
Calvin Klein, by Calvin Klein
$235
indigo.ca
This is the first and only style bible written and complied by Klein himself, and what a fashion throwback it is in the best possible way. The designer dominated the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s with his sexy minimalist designs and buzzworthy imagery that made Brooke Shields, Kate Moss, Christy Turlington and Mark Walberg global superstars. This book is an investment, but a seriously beautiful one.
