15 Chic Art & Fashion Books to Elevate Your Coffee Table
Visually stunning and thoughtfully curated, these tomes effortlessly elevate any space, transforming it into a gallery of style and inspiration.
Art coffee table books have become modern-day objets d’art – statements of taste, intellect, and curiosity. They invite us to slow down, to turn each page with intention, and to rediscover the pleasure of the printed image in a digital world. Whether devoted to contemporary movements, craftsmanship, or creative archives, these books turn living spaces into quiet galleries of thought.
From Bahrain’s craft heritage to a rare glimpse inside John Galliano’s artistic process, Bazaar Arabia highlights the titles that capture the beauty of art in all its forms.
Moroccan Decorative Arts by Philippe Saharoff
Morocco’s rich artistic heritage takes center stage in Moroccan Decorative Arts, a stunning 300-page volume by photographer Philippe Saharoff. Over three years, Saharoff traversed the country, capturing the vibrancy of Morocco’s craftsmanship – from the intricate leatherwork of Marrakech to the exquisite woodcraft of Essaouira. The book presents a dazzling array of zellige tiles, pottery, metalwork, and other artisanal treasures, alongside exclusive photographs from King Mohammed VI’s private collection. A celebration of both tradition and artistry, this work stands as the definitive tribute to Morocco’s enduring decorative arts.
To purchase, please visit assouline.com.
Bvlgari Beyond Time by John Goldberger
A stunning exploration of Bvlgari’s century-long legacy in watchmaking, blending Roman artistry with Swiss precision. The book traces the maison’s evolution through striking photography and insightful conversations with its foremost experts, revealing how emotion and craftsmanship intertwine in each timepiece. From the iconic Serpenti and Octo collections to the marvels of High Jewellery and Grandes Complications, it celebrates Bulgari’s bold spirit of innovation. Enriched by essays from luminaries such as Marina Abramović, Alessandro Gassmann, and Carl Lewis, the volume connects watchmaking to art, performance, and human achievement.
To purchase, please visit assouline.com.
Artists Of The Middle East (1900 To Now) by Saeb Eigner
The first comprehensive A–Z guide to the region’s major modern and contemporary artists. Written by Saeb Eigner, the book offers in-depth biographies of nearly 100 key figures, from pioneers like Shafic Abboud and Bahman Mohassess to global contemporaries such as Mona Hatoum and Shirin Neshat. Blending cultural insight with historical context, it highlights the dynamic relationship between art and the Middle East’s evolving social, political, and spiritual landscape, making it an essential reference for art enthusiasts worldwide.
To purchase, please visit virginmegastore.ae.
Zaha Hadid by Taschen
A book that celebrates Zaha Hadid, the visionary architect who transformed the language of design with her bold, futuristic forms. As the first woman to receive both the Pritzker Prize and the RIBA Royal Gold Medal, she defied convention and turned the impossible into reality. Her legacy lives on through the fluid, boundary-breaking structures that continue to shape and inspire the world of architecture today.
To purchase, please visit designitch.com.
John Galliano: Unseen by Robert Fairer
A book that celebrates the creative brilliance of John Galliano, John Galliano: Unseen offers an intimate look behind the scenes of one of fashion’s most visionary designers. Opening with an essay on his work, the book unfolds chronologically across thirty collections, each introduced by Claire Wilcox’s insightful texts. Robert Fairer’s dynamic photographs reveal the artistry, energy, and emotion of Galliano’s world – capturing the models, stylists, and the designer himself in moments of pure creative expression. A dazzling visual archive, this volume is an essential reference for fashion and photography enthusiasts alike.
To purchase, please visit kinokuniya.com.
Bahrain Crafts by Sheikha Mariam Hisham Al Khalifa
A book that celebrates Bahrain’s vibrant craft heritage, highlighting how tradition and innovation intertwine in a modern, globalized world. Through insightful text and striking photography, it explores the nation’s diverse artisanal practices – from boatbuilding and basketry to pottery, metalwork, and jewelry – rooted in its rich natural resources and coastal culture. Showcasing a renewed spirit of collaboration between craft, art, and design, this volume honors Bahrain’s enduring creativity while inspiring future generations of makers around the world.
To purchase, please visit assouline.com.
Ralph Lauren A Way of Living: Home, Design, Inspiration by Ralph Lauren
A book that celebrates Ralph Lauren’s iconic approach to lifestyle and home design, Ralph: A Way of Living offers an intimate look at the spaces and creations that have defined his vision for nearly five decades. Featuring his private residences – from a Colorado ranch to a Manhattan penthouse – and his pioneering home collections, the book illustrates how Lauren blends fashion, design, and hospitality into immersive, transportive environments. With stunning photography, essays, and personal reflections, it traces his groundbreaking innovations, timeless aesthetics, and enduring influence, making it an essential reference for lovers of interior design, lifestyle, and creativity.
To purchase, please visit amazon.ae.
Paris in Fashion by Pierre Toromanoff
A book that celebrates the style and culture of Paris, Paris. In Fashion offers an insider’s view of one of the world’s most iconic fashion capitals. Featuring gorgeous visuals of haute couture, street style, interiors, shops, and the people who define the city’s chic aesthetic, it perfectly captures the essence of Parisian fashion from the catwalk to everyday life. Beautifully presented and richly illustrated, this volume is a must-have for lovers of fashion and travel alike.
To purchase, please visit virginmegastore.ae.
Maria by Callas 100th Anniversary Edition by Tom Volf
A book that celebrates the life and artistry of Maria Callas, Maria by Callas by Tom Volf unveils lost archives and previously unseen photographs of the legendary soprano. Drawing on insights from her closest friends and collaborators, the volume offers an intimate and personal portrait of her life, career, and enduring influence. This updated edition, released for Callas’s 100th birth anniversary, combines meticulous research with stunning visuals to provide a fresh and compelling perspective on one of opera’s most iconic figures.
To purchase, please visit assouline.com.
Karl Lagerfeld Unseen: The Chanel Years by Robert Fairer
A book that unveils the world of Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, revealing the creative genius behind some of fashion’s most iconic collections. Through Robert Fairer’s striking backstage photography, readers witness the meticulous craftsmanship, elegance, and theatrical energy that defined Lagerfeld’s shows – from private fittings in rue Cambon to the orchestrated bustle behind the runway. Accompanied by reflections from his collaborators and friends, the book offers fresh insights into his design process, making it an inspiring and essential reference for fashion lovers and Chanel fans.
To purchase, please visit virginmegastore.ae.
Hilma af Klint: What Stands Behind the Flowers by Ewa Lajer-Burcharth, Laura Neufeld, and Jodi Hauptman
Hilma af Klint’s visionary abstractions were far ahead of their time, brimming with esoteric symbols, cosmic diagrams, and vibrant organic forms. This volume highlights her floral imagery, weaving together the natural and the spiritual in luminous reproductions and insightful commentary. Radiating a quiet, otherworldly charm, it’s the perfect coffee table treasure for those who delight in the mysteries of art and life.
To purchase, please visit kinokuniya.com.
STUFF: A New York Life of Cultural Chaos by Kim Hastreiter
While many art books evoke the sublime, STUFF bursts with raw, unrestrained energy. A love letter to New York’s art world, it’s messy, playful, and endlessly engaging. Brimming with stories, memorabilia, and cultural ephemera, it perfectly captures the city’s vibrant mix of glamour and grit. Place it on your coffee table, and watch as guests flip through, laughing, sharing memories, and getting swept up in its chaotic charm.
To purchase, please visit amazon.com.
The Art of The Emirates by ADMAF
A book that celebrates the UAE’s dynamic contemporary art scene, The Art of the Emirates, written by The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), offers an insightful look at the country’s artistic evolution – past, present, and future. Featuring in-depth interviews, profiles of emerging and established artists, and highlights of galleries, foundations, and educators, it captures the creativity and innovation shaping the region today. Richly illustrated, the volume provides a vivid snapshot of the UAE’s thriving art landscape, making it an essential reference for collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about this vibrant cultural hub.
To purchase, please visit booksarabia.com.
Harmony and Dissonance: Orphism in Paris, 1910–1930 by Robert and Sonia Delaunay
A visually stunning book that brings the vibrant world of Orphism to your coffee table, capturing the spirit of the museum’s landmark exhibition. Featuring over 90 works by artists such as Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Marcel Duchamp, Francis Picabia, František Kupka, and the Synchromists, it explores how color, form, and motion – shaped by music, dance, and poetry – redefined abstraction in early 20th-century Paris. With dazzling reproductions and insightful essays, this volume is a kaleidoscopic celebration of one of modern art’s most inventive movements.
To purchase, please visit amazon.com.
The Space In Which To Place Me by Jeffrey Gibson
This lush volume celebrates Jeffrey Gibson’s U.S. Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, exploring themes of community, dignity, and tradition. Essays by leading curators and scholars examine his art, Indigenous aesthetics, and global exchanges, while striking studio and performance photography brings his practice vividly to life. Poetic and performative interventions infuse the book with energy and innovation, making it an essential companion for anyone interested in Gibson, contemporary art, and Indigenous creativity.
To purchase, please visit amazon.com.
Lead Image Courtesy of Instagram:/ @wellxdesign.
Images: Supplied