COMPILED BY Lynette Botha and Gina Dionisio
Art, fashion, travel and design collide in these magnificent coffee table books that deserve pride of place in your home.
Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation
Journey with Belmond to the most-beloved Italian destinations, from Portofino to Florence, from Venice to Taormina. Villeggiatura – a term defined as a prolonged stay in a single place – is a true celebration of La Dolce Vita and an expression at the heart of the Belmond experience.
Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation
Assouline | R2 145
Grootbos Florilegium
Celebrating 25 years of conservation in the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the Grootbos Florilegium is not only the first contemporary florilegium in Africa, it is also the first in the world to feature pollinators alongside plants. The book contains over 120 original artworks by 44 local and international botanical artists, and captures the plant and insect life of the particularly diverse and charismatic Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, a narrow coastal belt on the southern tip of Africa that is home to over 900 species of fynbos.
Grootbos Florilegium
Quivertree | R2 500
Wonderland by Annie Leibovitz
“Looking back at my work, I see that fashion has always been there,” Annie Leibovitz observes in the preface to Wonderland. “Fashion plays a part in the scheme of everything, but photography always comes first for me. The photograph is the most important part. My work for Vogue fuelled the fire for a kind of photography that I might not otherwise have explored.” This 440-page celebration of Leibovitz’s work showcases 350 extraordinary images – many of which have never been published – and features a diverse range of subjects, from Serena Williams and Kate Moss to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Greta Gerwig. Leibovitz is referred to by Anna Wintour (who pens the foreword) as “America’s greatest living photographic portraitist”; some may argue she is, in fact, the best in the world.
Wonderland by Annie Leibovitz
Phaidon | R2 074
African Artists: From 1882 To Now
A cover that takes design inspiration from the works of the inimitable Esther Mahlangu and a colour palette influenced by those commonly seen in Mozambican textiles set the scene for what lies within this gem. The inventory contains a ground-breaking A-Z survey of the work of more than 300 modern and contemporary artists born or based in Africa, and was compiled by Phaidon’s network of editors. The team presents the most astounding selection of photography, paintings, collages, drawings, performance art, prints, sculptures, sound installations and textiles – so whether you know your Zanele Muholi from your Samuel Fosso or not, the historically rich and well-researched subject matter will get you up to speed in tremendous style.
African Artists: From 1882 To Now
Phaidon | R1 449
Yves Saint Laurent & Art
In the words of the late, great Yves Saint Laurent himself, “[Through my work] I tried to show that fashion is an art. For that, I followed the counsel of my master Christian Dior and the imperishable lesson of Mademoiselle Chanel. I created for my era, and I tried to foresee what tomorrow would be.” But more than just being inspired by the other legends in fashion, Saint Laurent’s designs were also often influenced by art – from works of the ancient world to pop art. In celebration of 60 years of Yves Saint Laurent, this book explores the couturier’s homage to the masters of art and his never-ending quest for new means of aesthetic expression. As the publisher notes, “Think of this collection as an unforgettable journey through art history, with Yves Saint Laurent as a guide.”
Yves Saint Laurent & Art
Thames & Hudson | R853
Travel By Design
As its name suggests, this is the ultimate guide for design and travel enthusiasts. More than 350 photographs, spanning 100 locations in 60 countries, take readers on an epic journey around the world. They encompass cityscapes, ancient civilisations, luxe resorts and beautiful natural wonders, as seen through the eyes of leading global creatives. Apart from the amazing photography, the 40 pages of insider tips and resources – from must-visit hotels and restaurants to little-known shops and cafes, and not-to-be-missed cultural sightings – make this a worthy buy just for on. Michael Boodro, the lauded design journalist and former editor of Elle Decor, Culture + Travel, Martha Stewart Living and Garden Design, meticulously curated this tome.
Travel By Design
Assouline | R2 145
Moon Paradise
A stunning curation of images revolving around all things moon, from fashion to space travel, is presented alongside a text, by space journalist and TV host Sarah Cruddas, which examines the moon as a scientific and cultural symbol. The moon is more than just a natural satellite – it is a beacon of hope, a pinnacle to strive for.
Moon Paradise
Assouline | R2 145
The Lyrics – 1956 To The Present
Presented with this is a treasure trove of material from McCartney’s personal archive – drafts, letters, photographs – never seen before, which make this book a unique visual record of one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
The Lyrics – 1956 To The Present
Liveright | R1 340
Inside Milan
From sophisticated clean lines and muted tones to rooms bursting with art and colour, the palazzos and apartments showcased in this stunning volume uncover the creative heart of this vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolis. Nicolò Castellini Baldissera’s carefully curated collection of interiors features the homes of an array of leading creatives of Milan society, including artist Lola Schnabel, designers Hannes Peer, Emiliano Salci, and Osanna Visconti, and fashion designer Luisa Beccaria, among others.
Inside Milan
Vendome Press | R1 340
HAY
Published to coincide with the brand’s 20th anniversary, this inspiring visual monograph explores HAY’s origins and astronomical trajectory, including its close partnership with Herman Miller. The tome dedicated to HAY’s universe of irresistible, affordable, everyday design, includes exclusive interviews and over 600 beautiful images.
HAY
Phaidon | R1 093
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