A Fashionista's Guide to Coffee Table Books
Tired of gazing at the remnants of last night’s homework and this morning’s coffee? Spruce up your coffee table with this quick and easy solution. With fall rolling in, we’re starting to get settled in to our homes for the season. Be it a dorm room or a new apartment, the familiarity of a place you can call your own is starting to greet you at the door every day. Trying to decorate your temporary space can be hard, though, especially for a student in constant motion. We at Your Mag want your space to be one that you’re proud of, that expresses who you are and what you’re interested in; and we want you to be able to do it easily and of course, stylishly. Therefore, finding temporary and easily transportable design elements is crucial. Enter the coffee table book. This timeless interior decorators’ staple is basically the cheat sheet to chic—a simple stack of them can transform a whole room. Here are some of our favorites to help you give your room a whole new vibe. 1. Fashion: A History from the 18th to 20th Century
If you haven’t already received this incredible anthology as a gift for your bat mitzvah/sweet sixteen/high school graduation (not like we have or anything), then we suggest it as the first thing to get your hands on. The extensive research aspect to this two-volume set will impress your history buff guests and the illustrations are beyond beautiful. Featured inside is a comprehensive history of shapes, textiles, class structure, and identity, all expressed through historical clothing.
2. Charles James: Beyond Fashion
If you weren’t able to catch the latest installation at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (founded by Anna Wintour), have no fear—the Met’s website offers a beautiful compilation of the great Charles James’ lifelong work. Known for his flattering silhouettes and jaw-dropping extravagant ball gowns, the book features photos and explanations behind the social and historical context of each piece.
3. TASCHEN 365 Day-by-Day: Fashion Ads of the 20th Century
This personal calendar greets you with a new historical fashion advertisement each day, giving you fashion, history, and practicality all in one. Not only is it nice to look at, but going back in time to the days of ball gowns and exaggerated winged eyeliner will surely put a smile on your face every morning.
4. Amber, Guinevere & Kate Photographed by Craig McDean:1993-2005
Escape into the grungy fashion of the ‘90s—aka, the supermodel era—with this fun modelography by legendary photographer Craig McDean. The book chronicles the careers of his three favorite models: Kate Moss, Guinevere van Seenus, and Amber Valletta, all captured through his lens and stunning vision.
5. Vogue: The Editor’s Eye
Lastly, no fashionista’s coffee table would be complete without paying homage to fashion’s bible, Vogue. This edition chronicles the careers of some of Vogue’s most powerful editors, packing girl power and fashion into one very beautiful package. A section is dedicated to each editor, which features the photographers they collaborated with, models they featured, and the designers with whom they developed lifelong friendships.