books
Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift for someone else or yourself, a book will never disappoint. Our selection includes plenty to inspire, from cocktails to design icons, fashion, photography, flowers and much more
‘Now Is Better’
The state of the world can feel bleak, so Stefan Sagmeister’s book provides a welcome alternative perspective. Combining art, design and history with quantitative analysis, he cleverly transforms data sets into colourful artworks to bring encouraging statistics to life. The book includes an essay by design historian Steven Heller and a conversation between Sagmeister and Hans Ulrich Obrist, and concludes that things really are better than before, inspiring us to think more hopefully about the future. You couldn’t wish for a finer companion with which to start the transition into 2024. £29.95, Phaidon (phaidon.com).
‘Echoes: Cassina, 50 years of iMaestri’
Few brands have contributed as much to design culture as Cassina; this comprehensive tome captures why its output is so important. The ‘iMaestri Collection’ launched in 1973, reissuing iconic models by 20th-century titans such as Gerrit Rietveld and Frank Lloyd Wright. Collaborations with Gio Ponti, Carlo Scarpa and Franco Albini followed, cementing the collection as the ultimate expression of ‘Made in Italy’. This is a fascinating reflection on how great design can evolve. £65, Rizzoli (available in-store from Cassina, cassina.com).
‘Now You See Me: An Introduction to 100 Years of Black Design’
Writer and activist Charlene Prempeh is the founder of A Vibe Called Tech, a Black-owned creative agency known for its work with brands such as Gucci and Frieze. Her debut book celebrates a century of groundbreaking work by Black creatives. Organised into three sections, on fashion, architecture and graphics, it explores how Black design has been perceived within culture through the work of names such as Dapper Dan, Ann Lowe and Francis Kéré. £24.99, Prestel (prestelpublishing.penguinrandomhouse.de).
‘Lee Miller. Man Ray: Fashion, Love, War’
Model, photographer and the first female war correspondent to report on the liberation of Paris and the concentration camps, Lee Miller is one of the last century’s most intriguing figures. This book examines her relationship with surrealist artist Man Ray and the influence they had on each other. Through previously unpublished imagery, archive material and contributions from family members, it honours Miller’s pioneering photography and her remarkable life. £32, Skira (skira.net).
‘Matthew Williamson: Living Bright’
Following a career as a successful fashion designer, renowned for his opulent, jewel-toned clothes, Matthew Williamson has embraced interiors
