I Collect Fashion Coffee Table Books—These 44 Are the Best of the Best

Anyone who self-identifies as a "fashion person" has a few things they collect. For some, collecting great handbags is a hobby; for others, thrifting is a full-time side hustle. The point is there's always something that we fashion people are vying to get our hands on, which can make shopping for us a rather tricky endeavor. And unless you've got a detailed wish list from them, chances are you have no idea what to get for the most stylish person in your life. I'm here to help, and my simple solution is gifting them with a fashion coffee table book. Hear me out on this. It's the perfect catchall gift idea. Whether you're shopping for a last-minute holiday, birthday, or housewarming gift, a coffee table book works for every occasion (and budget). But if you're unsure what books are worth adding to their collection, don't fret. I've scoured Amazon, Saks, and Assouline to identify the 40 best fashion coffee table books based on popularity, relevance, and my collection. Last-minute gift ideas are ahead. 

Released this last year by Assouline, this book is an homage to the late Virgil Abloh's reign as creative director at Louis Vuitton. 

What better gift for the most stylish person in your life than a book dedicated to the It girl herself, Naomi Campbell? 

For John Galliano stans, this recently released book about the designer's collections during his time at Dior is a must-have. 

Antwaun Sargent's book profiles 15 Black fashion photographers who are changing the industry one shot at a time. It's a must-have for any fashion creative wanting to support the next generation of artists. 

For your fashion friend who's always wearing prints, there's no better last-minute (but thoughtful) gift idea than Taschen's Pucci. Dedicated to exploring the work of the late Italian designer Emilio Pucci, it features an array of archival patterns, sketches, and designs that give the reader a glimpse into how this fashion house became legendary. 

Dedicated to the four-decade career of one of fashion's most well-known photographers, Peter Lindbergh, this book is an excellent gift for the photography and fashion fan in your life. 

For those obsessed with learning the history of fashion houses and seeing archival collections, the Thames & Hudson Catwalk book series is a great starting point for crafting a collection of fashion coffee table books. This volume offers an extensive look into every collection designed by Miuccia Prada, from the house's founding to 2019. 

Andy Warhol is accredited as one of the artists behind the pop-art movement, but he also became cemented as a pop culture icon.  In this Taschen book, the late artist's polaroids compile years of his life and photos of fashion icons like Yves Saint Laurent and Audrey Hepburn. 

Cataloging Tom Ford's work during his time at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent and his vision for his namesake label, this book is the ideal gift for devout fans of '90s fashion aesthetics. 

Another fashion photographer's work that's worthy of adding to any home? Campbell Addy. With work featured in The Cut, The Wall Street Journal, and Vanity Fair, the Black LGBTQ artist has become one of the fashion industry's darlings. 

For those who want to understand the influence Gabrielle Coco Chanel had, look no further than this book. It explores some of the French fashion house's most iconic creations (e.g., its No.5 perfume) and how they continue to impact modern fashion today. 

If you can recall, Tyler Mitchell made history as the first Black photographer ever to shoot a Vogue cover in its 125-year history. But more than being the first, Mitchell has dedicated his craft to exploring the idea of Black utopia through his work, which is displayed in this coffee table book. 

Another noteworthy Catwalk book to add to the collection? Versace. I own this one, and I can attest to it being worth every penny, as it gives an in-depth view into the legacy of the late Gianni Versace and how Donatella Versace has transformed this house into one of the most popular brands of our time. 

Speaking from personal experience, there's no better gift to unwrap than Rihanna's Phaidon coffee table book. It's a stunning visual autobiography of the artist's career, her most significant style moments, and her childhood that's sure to land you on the nice list.

Yves Saint Laurent is now a household name, and this book explores how the late designer became successful. It features a vast selection of images from famous photographers, documenting the house's haute couture and ready-to-wear collections to show how this brand became what it is today. 

Fun fact: Nadine Ijewere was the first Black woman to shoot a cover for Vogue. She has become one of the most sought-after fashion photographers in the industry for her ability to showcase the beauty of the Black diaspora. Her book features some of her work and makes for the perfect addition to any collection.

Lauded as the mother of punk, Vivienne Westwood melds punk sensibilities with couture in a way that no other designer has. This Catwalk tome explores the fashion house's collections from '81 to today and the brand's cultural impact on the fashion industry. 

The fashion industry was not immune to the pandemic's impact on businesses, and many eponymous labels shuttered, including Sies Marjan. This book explores the effect the Dutch fashion house had on the industry. 

Supreme has melded street style and high fashion like no other brand. So it only makes sense that the brand's coffee table book featuring over 800 images cataloging its evolution would be a must-have for any collection. 

Another Assouline book worth adding to any collection? The Moschino book. Made in tandem with Creative Director Jeremy Scott, the book explores how the designer has reenvisioned this historic Italian fashion house since his takeover in 2013. 

When it comes to modern-day celebrities who serve up looks, none are doing it like Harry Styles. Whether they're a fan of music or genderless fashion, this book's collection of images is a feast for all their sartorial cravings.

Last year, the legendary Thierry Mugler passed away. In honor of his impactful career, a retrospective exhibition was created and is still going on at the Brooklyn Museum. But if you live outside New York, this coffee table book will give you insight into the late artist's work. 

Hip-hop and fashion have always been intertwined, and this book aims to show just that. Through over 40 years of iconic imagery, it displays how jewelry became embedded into the culture. 

For fans of the late Karl Lagerfeld, this book is a must-have. It gives readers a behind-the-scenes look into Lagerfeld's time at Chanel through documentation of celebrity fittings and ready-to-wear shows. 

While we've seen massive strides toward inclusive model casting in the fashion industry for the past few years, historically, that wasn't always the case. This book is an homage to the Black models who paved the way (and continue to do so now) in the industry. 

Alexander McQueen was arguably one of the most avante-grade designers of his time. Published in tandem with the 2011 Met Gala, this book aims to honor that legacy by cataloging some of his most iconic creations. 

This coffee table book is the ideal gift for those interested in how fashion has evolved over the last century. It features hundreds of photographs and illustrations displaying everything from couture to sportswear. 

Known as the sister brand to Max Mara, the Italian fashion house Sportmax first distinguished itself in the industry back in '76 for its approachable pieces. Since then, it's become a household name, and this book charts the brand's rise to notoriety. 

Another influential fashion photographer's work that's worth adding to any collection is Annie Leibovitz. With over five decades of experience, she's shot everyone from Serena Williams to Lady Gaga to Kamala Harris, making her one of the most prolific artists of our time. Her book, Wonderland, features some of her most iconic imagery. 

When the Gucci Museum in Florence opened back in 2011, this book was released. It offers an in-depth look into the origins of the Italian fashion house with interviews, archival photographs, and runway images. 

Before the naked-dress trend became a thing, there was a fashion movement known as the neoclassical style movement. The Age of Undress traces the trend's evolution through a historical lens and gives insight into how women in different centuries approached personal style. 

Released this past year, The Fendi Set was written to explore how a community of British creatives influenced Kim Jones's (the creative director of Fendi) collections.  

Cataloging the rise of Chloé, this coffee table book gives insight into how this brand became one of the most popular brands in the '70s. It also shows how creative directors like Phoebe Philo and Karl Lagerfield cemented the brand into the zeitgeist with their creations. 

Are you shopping for a self-identified sneakerhead? Taschen's Virgil Abloh. Nike. Icons is the perfect addition to their book collection, as it pays tribute to the collaborations between Virgil Abloh and Nike. 

For Chanel fanatics, having at least one coffee table book dedicated to the founding of the French fashion house is a must. But if you want to impress them, this set of three will do the trick. 

You can't talk about American fashion without mentioning the one-and-only Ralph Lauren. With over 50 years in the industry, the brand has continued to define Americana, making this book a must-have. 

Remember when Rihanna wore that long yellow dress to the 2015 Met Gala? That was Guo Pei. The China-based couturier has become known for its ornate collections that draw inspiration from its heritage. 

We have seen a rise in celebrities wearing surrealist-inspired accessories, but before it was a trend on the red carpet, it was being crafted inside the atelier of the late Elsa Schiaparelli. Way ahead of the curve, this book documents her life work and was released in tandem with the current exhibition at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. 

Per the book's title, it's easy to see why you need this coffee table book once you get a glimpse of it. It depicts the debut of Christian Siriano's label in 2008 and the dreamy gowns the designer has become known and loved for.

In tribute to the American luxury label Thom Browne's twentieth anniversary, the first-ever book dedicated to the atelier was released recently. It charts the evolution of the brand's signature approach to tailoring through well over 200 archival images. 

For those fascinated by history, On Weaving is a visual account of the art of weaving clothing throughout the evolution of humanity.

Released in tandem with The Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibit Women Dressing Women, this book explores the female designers who have had an enduring impact on what women wear throughout history.

Cataloging the British fashion house's evolution over the past 165 years, Burberry is a page-turner for those curious about how the brand became infamous. 

Last but certainly not least, you can't go wrong with gifting Jacquemus's self-published photography book. I've unwrapped this book myself, and I'm telling you it's the perfect buy for anyone who loves Simon Porte Jacquemus's work or photography in general. 

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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