16 Coffee Table Books To Gift This Holiday Season
From Sofia Coppola’s ‘Archive’ to Juergen Teller’s ‘i need to live.’
In today’s digital age, many of us typically consume content through Substack newsletters, online articles or audible — rarely finding the time or energy for a full book. But to the dedicated book lovers out there, we see you. There’s nothing quite like the feel of turning crisp pages, the scent of a freshly opened book or the allure of a gorgeous hardcover that’s as beautiful as it is satisfying to hold.
Coffee table books are more than just decorative pieces — they are a joy to read. From stunning photography and thought-provoking art to timeless fashion, coffee table books don’t just fill space, they spark conversation.
From popular pink covers like Sofia Coppola‘s Archive and Simone Rocha‘s photobook to the beautiful visual storytelling in Juergen Teller‘s i need to live, here are 16 coffee table books to gift your friends (or yourself).
Keep reading for the full list.
Dior Metamorphosis
Dior Metamorphosis, published by Rizzoli, recounts the transformation of Dior’s mythic Parisian headquarters at 30 Avenue Montaigne as seen through the eyes of photographer Robert Polidori. The title invites us to a private viewing of the secrets of the Maison’s beating heart in the French capital and includes unique images that shine with light and beauty. Dior’s emblematic models, such as the essential Barsuit, are also featured in this singular decor.
Sofia Coppola Archive
Sofia Coppola has definitely had her moment this year, with Priscilla setting the tone for an even more girly-everything year for the beginning of 2024. Archive is Sofia Coppola’s first book, offering a peek into her film career. Packed with personal photos, early sketches, reference collages and annotated scripts, it gives an inside look at all eight of her films to date, including some exclusive behind-the-scenes moments.
How Directors Dress
How Directors Dress, published by entertainment company A24, is a captivating collection of over 200 archival photographs, each telling the story of how fashion serves as a lens for exploring the lives of directors, their films and the cultural moments they helped shape. With striking images of what directors wear to work, the book offers a chic insight into the personalities behind the camera and the eras they defined.
Luna Luna: The Art Amusement Park
In the late ’80s, more than 30 of the era’s most acclaimed artists, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Salvador Dalí and Keith Haring, designed the first-ever fully operational art amusement park. Luna Luna by André Heller is a landmark book documenting the original park’s rare artworks, which have not been widely viewed in 35 years, in anticipation of its global reintroduction.
Moon Paradise
For centuries the moon has been synonymous with mystery. But over the years, mankind has studied this brilliant satellite and even managed to venture there. Moon Paradise examines the moon as a scientific and cultural symbol through a stunning curation of images revolving around all things moon, from fashion to space travel, along with text by space journalist and TV host, Sarah Cruddas.
Mouth Full Of Golds
Mouth Full Of Golds, written by director Lyle Lindgren and Eddie Plein, is a book celebrating the art of caps, fronts, slugs, grills, diamonds and pearls. The hardcover delivers an illustrated history of New York‘s “Famous” Eddie Plein, the golden era of dentistry he ushered in and the great big glittering smile he left on the face of hip hop. It also includes words by A$AP Ferg, Va$htie, Goldie, A$AP Rocky, Just-Ice, Janette Beckman and Marc Jacobs.
Hokusai
At the age of six, Hokusai painted his first picture. A year after his death at 89, his illustrated book designs were published posthumously. TASCHEN‘s latest edition of his work, following the 2022 release, includes texts by art historian Andreas Marks, exploring Hokusai’s influence on Western artists like Degas and Gauguin. Featuring large-scale reproductions and four fold-outs, this edition blends in-depth research with a visual celebration of Edo-period Japan.
Barbie (TM): The World Tour
After the smashing success of Greta Gerwig‘s Barbie movie, producer and actress Margot Robbie, along with her stylist Andrew Mukamal, dove deep into Barbie‘s iconic wardrobe to curate a lineup of classic doll-inspired looks (yes, those outfits you’re picturing right now.) From timeless vintage pieces to modern designs by legends like Giorgio Armani and Donatella Versace, the duo reimagined Barbie’s style for the real world. And what better way to capture it all than in a book? It’s a must-have collector’s item for Barbie fanatics and fashion lovers.
Peter Lindbergh. On Fashion Photography
Peter Lindbergh. On Fashion Photography, published by TASCHEN, gathers more than 300 images from forty years of the German fashion photographer and film director. The title traces Lindbergh’s cinematic inflections and humanist approach, which produced images at once seductive and introspective. It also includes an introduction in which Lindbergh establishes his sentiment on “so-called fashion photography.”
Dune: Exposures
This year has been packed with incredible movies and Dune: Part Two is undoubtedly one of them. Dune Exposures combines Josh Brolin’s sublime writing with Greig Fraser’s incredible photography, documenting the magic of the filming process. Fraser captured the process in stills — candid, abstract and completely unforgettable, turning this into a creative masterpiece.
Juergen Teller: i need to live
Juergen Teller: i need to live captures Teller’s major solo exhibitions at Paris‘ Grand Palais Éphémère and Milan‘s Triennale Milano. It showcases the breadth of his photography, from portraits and landscapes to nudes and still lifes, capturing his reflections on life, self and loss (especially the passing of close collaborators like Vivienne Westwood.) While it would look stunning on your coffee table, highlighting how well-versed you are in the arts, it would equally be as impressive on a bookstand, giving you a perfect piece of Juergen Teller to display when guests visit.
Simone Rocha
Simone Rocha is celebrated as a brilliant designer, but she’s also a thoughtful bookmaker with an impressive zine collection. Her latest monograph, Simone Rocha, is meticulously crafted, featuring catwalk images, moody editorials and backstage moments that embody her intricate world. This book is a must-have for fashion lovers and joins Rizzoli’s stellar roster of authors like Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens and Maison Martin Margiela.
Petra Collins: Coming of Age
We all know and love Petra Collins for her dreamy photography skills, so there’s no doubt her first monograph is a tangible realization of the unique universe she has created. Petra Collins: Coming of Age is a stunning tribute to girlhood, innocence, sexuality and liberation. Through her signature photos, personal essays, Polaroids and contributions from inspiring women, Collins shares the quiet power behind her work. The book highlights her work on campaigns for Gucci and Adidas, films for the Tate and countless editorials. It’s a testament to her creativity and is a must-have for fans of her daring, boundary-pushing artistry.
Virgil Abloh. Nike. ICONS
Virgil Abloh. Nike. ICONS documents the late designer’s cooperative way of working and reflects on his design philosophy. From Air Jordan 1 to Air Presto, Nike and Virgil Abloh reinvented sneaker culture with their project, “The Ten.” This title traces Abloh’s investigative, creative process through documentation of the prototypes, original text messages and treasures from the Nike archives.
Yoshitomo Nara
Yoshitomo Nara by Yeewan Koon is the definitive book on the life and career of the internationally acclaimed Japanese artist. This truly authoritative monograph, made in close collaboration with Nara himself, explores more than three decades of his work, featuring texts by the artist and including his most recent paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics.
Nora Ephron At The Movies
Nora Ephron at the Movies is the first illustrated deep dive into the life and work of Nora Ephron, the mastermind behind rom-com classics like When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle. The book pairs sharp criticism with exclusive interviews from collaborators like actress Andie MacDowell exploring Ephron as both a rom-com icon and a feminist trailblazer. It’s the perfect little flick-through for when you’re curling up by the fire, hot chocolate in hand and most definitely a Nora Ephron movie in the back.
Aries Arise Archive
Spanning nearly 400 pages, the Aries Arise Archive book is a one-of-a-kind retrospective of Aries‘ last decade, showcasing its collaborations, photography, graphics, community and signature designs. Thoughtfully crafted by Johnny Lu, the publication is a visual feast printed on premium Munken paper and brimming with the distinctive essence of the brand. While it’s not ready for gifting this year, you can pre-order this treasure now for a delightful 2025 surprise.
GUCCI Prospettive 4: Ancora Londra
Gucci Prospettive is a captivating series of books from Gucci that beautifully intertwine the worlds of art and fashion, showcasing how these two powerful forces have long influenced and inspired each other. With four volumes in total, the latest installment — Gucci Prospettive: Ancora London is a celebration of London‘s role as a global hub for art, fashion and cultural exchange. Curated by Charlene Prempeh and Lewis Dalton Gilbert, the visionary founders of the creative studio, A Vibe Called Tech, this edition
features images of Princess Diana, alongside works from Martin Parr, Tracey Emin and more.
Jil Sander
Crafted with the same precision and elegance that defines her fashion, this Jil Sander by Jil Sander provides an intimate glimpse into the designer’s extraordinary career. It delves into her groundbreaking ventures beyond clothing, including her pioneering entry into cosmetics and her celebrated collaboration with Uniqlo, which gave rise to its +J line.
Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good: Nike Apparel
Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good by Nike shows the bond between women and sportswear through five design archetypes: warm-ups, jerseys, leggings, sports bras and shorts. Across 350 pages with 575 images, the book features interviews with Nike athletes and trainers, paired with essays from cultural experts.
For more gift ideas, read about the best gifts to get a fashion lover (starring 2024’s biggest trends.)
