six books dedicated to the world of fashion at the foot of the tree

Since the start of the school year, many books devoted to fashion have been published. Here is a selection, non exhaustive, de reference books, in a wide range of prices that deserve their place in Santa's sack and in your library.

The first work devoted to the history of Chanel makeup, this boxed book celebrates the epic era of makeup creation begun in 1924 by the house. It is full of never-before-seen visual documents offering privileged access to the archives: historical images of Gabrielle Chanel, rare photographs of the first cosmetic creations, advertising campaigns highlighting iconic women of the 7th art. “By breaking the rules of tradition and freeing herself from the need to please others, Chanel revolutionized the 20th century wardrobe, imposed a new vision of jewelry, transformed the world of beauty and introduced a modern attitude that transcended all aspects of his life”says the author.

This captivating story is told across seven chapters, each embodying an iconic color – black, white, beige, red, pink, gold and blue – and spotlighting the talents who have shaped the brand's legacy across the decades. Iconic products – curved black and white square case, Rouge allure lipstick – punctuate the work. The author explores how avant-garde Gabrielle Chanel encouraged women to dare and surpass themselves: “She knew how to awaken consciences with her mythical motto: life is not a repetition”says Thomas du Pré de Saint Maur, general director of creative resources for Chanel perfumes and beauty. (T editionhames & Hudson. 148 euros).

Reissue of “La Parisienne” by Inès de la Fressange

What are the latest popular addresses of the Parisienne? How to achieve a chic look with basics? How to decorate and tidy your apartment so that it has style? Inès de la Fressange says it all in this new version of her book written ten years ago with Sophie Gachet. New looks and advice, this reissue of their bestselling book with new photographs, easy-to-reproduce tips and numerous addresses – in Paris and online – to find everything you need in terms of fashion, beauty and chic Parisian interiors. It's a must-have for infusing your own style with the essence of Parisian chic.

“Who said that the Parisienne was a myth? It's been almost ten years since I wrote The Parisian and it seems that the myth, which became a bestseller for the New York Timesis a reality. This guide needed a little makeover. Not only were a large number of addresses no longer relevant, but I moved (so everything changed in my house) and my wardrobe took on colors. Of course, I will always wear a navy blue sweater or a white shirt, but I try to reinvent myself even if Paris will always be Paris…”explains Inès de la Fressange whose book is available in the pop-up store installed at Vallée Village, a shopping destination near Paris, until February 2025 where you can discover its entire universe through a selection of its emblematic collections. (Flammarion edition. 25 euros. Digital edition at 14.99 euros).

“Yves Saint Laurent and his dogs” by Martin Bethenod

“I am, as they say, a dog man”said the designer. The dogs accompanied the designer, from his Algerian childhood to the creation of his fashion house in Paris, on December 4, 1961, and until his death in 2008. They are inseparable from the Saint Laurent myth, whether in the from his apartments shared with Pierre Bergé, in the excitement of the rue Marceau workshop or in the fashion shows. It is the second book in the Amigos Forever collection which offers a look at the life and work of great artists and art lovers of the 20th and 21st centuries from the angle of the relationship to “dogs of their life”. They mix testimonies and stories, quotes, archive photographs and reproductions of works, inviting an approach between sensitivity and humor.

Author Martin Bethenod highlights the forgotten dogs of childhood and the Hazels, extravagant chihuahuas, faithful companions of the artist for more than twenty years. Famous effigies of Love greeting cards, the four Moujiks are an integral part of the creator's legend. They are one-night models for Left Bank and muses of Warhol – the portrait of Moujik II in 1986 is “The best Christmas present I could hope for”writes Yves Saint Laurent. The work is enriched with an iconography of the couturier's references – Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, Marlene Dietrich with “their friends” – drawings and photos by Yves Saint Laurent. (Amigos Forever collection. Norma edition. 24 euros).

“Book of Birkenstock”

As Birkenstock celebrates 250 years of an existence marked by its traditional know-how in the field of shoemaking, the brand recounts its journey, from a small workshop to an iconic company in the world of shoes in this retrospective. For several decades, it has influenced countercultural trends, inspired renowned designers and gained followers across the world. This visual retrospective on the evolution of the company, thanks to the numerous archives, presents a vast selection of black and white or color images revealing its history. It compiles a wide variety of never-before-seen content, including early advertisements, early sketches, original photos, marketing content from private collections and public archives, iconic campaigns, editorials from Japan, the United States or from France.

This book serves as a historical record of the influence of the German brand in the field of shoes, fashion and culture. The opportunity to revisit models that have become icons, revolutionary design collaborations and follow the evolution of its visual identity. (688 pages. Steid edition. 75 euros).

“From the crucible to the setting” by Caroline de Florimont

Caroline de Florimont recounts in From the crucible to the setting. The fabulous adventure of man-made diamonds, inspired by the stars everything she discovered about diamonds, their origin, their symbolism, their role, all superbly illustrated. This book – which puts the diamond created by man in high-tech laboratories in its rightful place – gives practical advice on choosing the ideal diamond. He discusses the current issues around the regulation of terrestrial diamonds compared to diamonds “stellar” created by man, their impact on the environment, the ethics of the jeweler's profession and provides avenues for reflection on ways to protect diamond buyers.

The author immersed herself in the world of family constellations linked to the imagination that informed her childhood (descended through her grandmother from the Saint-Exupéry family). While working on the symbolic meaning of stars and precious stones, she discovered the existence of diamond exoplanets and decided to create jewels using new technology that allows the stellar diamond to be reproduced on Earth. This is how the Florimont house (89 euros) was born.

“Received ideas about jewelry” by Guillaume Glorieux

A polysemic object par excellence, jewelry crystallizes preconceived ideas. Beyond the artifices of appearance, it is both universal and the incarnation of a culture and the stereotypes that accompany it. It is the roots of these prejudices that the authors analyze in this book by linking all its facets. Enriched with illustrations, it is an original introduction to the jewelry world.

The work is the result of collective work led by several professors and experts from the School of Jewelry Arts in line with its main mission which is to introduce jewelry in all its facets. It is published under the direction of Guillaume Glorieux, university professor and director of teaching and research at the School of Jewelry Arts with Le Cavalier Bleu. (22 euros).