Every year, there’s one big question on everyone’s lips: what should we get our loved ones for Christmas? From fashion to AI-generated dreamscapes to the 100 best albums ever created, LUXUS MAGAZINE has selected seven books that are as magical as the festive season.
Battle of Versailles by Rizzoli
Published in September 2024 by Rizzoli, Battle of Versailles retraces the confrontation between French and American designers in 1973. The show, held at the Château de Versailles, pitted French designers Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel Ungaro, Marc Bohan and Hubert de Givenchy against their transatlantic counterparts, Oscar de la Renta, Stephen Burrows, Halston, Bill Blass and Anne Klein. 700 guests attended the party, including Princess Grace, Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli and Joséphine Baker. At the helm of the book are author Mark Bozek, founder and CEO of Live Rocket, producer and director of the film The Times of Bill Cunningham, photographers Jean-Luce Huré and Bill Cunningham, with contributions from Liza Minnelli, Pat Cleveland and Diet Prada.
Karl Lagerfeld by E/P/A
While numerous books and documentaries have attempted to unravel the mystery of Karl Lagerfeld, a new book tells us a little more about the history and personality of the Kaiser of fashion. A chameleon of a man, as gifted in couture as in design and photography, the creator has turned his life into fiction. Karl Lagerfeld, published by E/P/A in mid-November and written by Silhouette magazine and Véronique Bergen, retraces both his life and his artistic contribution to Chanel, Fendi and Chloé.
Apple Music 100 Best Albums by Assouline
Music lovers beware. The publishing house is preparing to launch Apple Music 100 Best Albums, in just 1,500 copies, listing the best records ever created, selected on a subjective basis and not by the number of times they have been listened to. Covering 65 years of music and all genres from country and pop to rock, hip-hop and electronica, each album is accompanied by a presentation written by Apple experts and industry players. The list includes Bruce Springsteen, Lauryn Hill, Daft Punk, Frank Ocean, Bad Bunny, Metallica and Travis Scott.
Everyday Luxury by Teneues
An ode to beautiful objects. That’s the promise of Everyday Luxury, published earlier in 2024 by teNeues Verlag GmbH. Featuring sublime photographs, the book celebrates everyday works of art that inspire wonder. Author Agata Toromanoff enriches the book’s visual world with informative texts and background information on designers and design. A real nugget for lovers of art and luxury.
The Ruins of Paris by Albin Michel
The perfect gift for fans of urbex, urban exploration. Published at the beginning of November by Albin Michel, Les ruines de Paris explores the current limits of the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence for imagining and fantasising about an abandoned capital. The images, as spectacular as they are poetic, were taken by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre, two leading urbex specialists, with texts by the writer-philosopher Nathan Devers. The book is surprisingly realistic, and invites us to question ourselves about AI and the future.
Mars – Photographs from the NASA Archives by Taschen
Available from 13 December (perfect for the festive season), the book Mars – Photographs from the NASA Archives is a veritable voyage to the Red Planet. From historical illustrations to shots taken from the Mariner 4 spacecraft in 1965 and photographs taken during the current Perseverance mission, we explore the poles, the dunes and the landscapes of this planet that makes us dream so much.
Concorde, the icon of an ideal by Les Editions Place des Victoires
Concorde crossed the Atlantic in three hours. A technological feat of an era, the famous aircraft flew at twice the speed of sound. A source of French pride. Author Adrien Motel traces this fascinating aviation history, from its construction to its tragic crash in 2000.
Icons of Style – Diana: The story of a fashion icon by Welbeck
With over 100 photographs of Princess Lady Diana’s most striking looks, this book takes us to the heart of the wardrobe of a trendsetter and a fashion icon of the 80s and 90s. Wedding dresses, sporty silhouettes, chic classic ensembles… Icons of Style – Diana: The story of a fashion icon by Welbeck Editions explores this legendary wardrobe and its designers. Inspiration for our own outfits.
Living in a dream by Gestalten
Although controversial, artificial intelligence can be used to create sublime images that transport us into a dream world. Living in a dream, by Gestalten, reveals a breathtaking compilation of architectural and interior wonders, with aesthetics, colours and worlds that transcend the boundaries of reality and creativity.
Harcourt Studio Paris 90 ans by Editions de La Martinière
Written by actor and producer Dominique Besnehard and writer and journalist Guillaume Evin, this book reveals the history of the iconic Harcourt photography studio. To mark its 90th anniversary, the book features 90 portraits of major French film stars. Louise Bourgoin, Cécile de France, Anaïs Demoustier, Romain Duris, Grégory Gadebois, Vincent Lacoste, Laurent Lafitte, Benoît Magimel, Pierre Niney, Tahar Rahim… All have passed behind the lens of this studio in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
Read also : Our selection of beautiful books to take the pulse of the biggest cities
Featured photo : © Living in a dream par Gestalten
