Azzaro design. Photo by Tony Kent for Vogue Paris

Since the 1960′s, Azzaro has been synonymous with the yacht lifestyle and jet-set luxury. Founded by Loris Azzaro, the aesthetic of seductive glamor was based on the lifestyle of the Tunisian born Sicilian. Very shortly after launch, the fashion house became known for fluid form, ultra-glamor and high octane embellishment.

In this book, Fashion historian, Jéromine Savignon who is also author of Cacharel, Le Liberty and Jacques Fath (also published by Assouline) and L’Esprit Vionnet (Universite de la Mode de Lyon) uncovers the man behind the Azzaro brand.

Her 80 page, illustrated book, marks the the anniversary of the house with a retrospective look at his life and legacy.

Loris Azzaro by Jéromine Savignon is published by Assouline, retails for $25.00 and is available in Assouline boutiques and online here.

For more on the book visit here.

More in the On the coffee table series here.

Photo Credit: Book Cover of New African Fashion by Helen Jennings. Published by Prestel Publishing, 31st October 2011, £19.99/$35.00.

Africa has long served as inspiration for high fashion designers. In the sixties, designers like Paco Rabanne and Yves Saint Laurent referenced the continent in the texture, palette, print and form of their work. The international catwalks in present day, suggest that the vast continent continues to act as a reference point for high fashion designers.

With foreword by artist Ike Ude, New African Fashion is the coffee table must-have, by Helen Jennings. The editor of award-winning, contemporary African magazine, ARISE has written issue-specific text for publications such as i-D and The Face etc.

Opening with a brief history of African fashion, Jennings’ New African Fashion goes on to show how this past has influenced an emerging generation of African high fashion designer. The author also explores why Africa is in the current design spotlight.

New African Fashion goes beyond the stereotypes. The 240 page tome sees Jennings profile an interesting cross section of high fashion design talent, models and photographers from Africa and the diaspora.

African Fashion is having a moment and this book by Jennings’ delves into the makings of it.

New African Fashion by Helen Jennings is £19.99/$35.00 and is available in the UK here and in the US here.

More in the On the coffee table series here.

Photo Credit: © Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent, Rizzoli New York, 2011.

Renowned art critic, art director, curator and editor in chief of Purple Fashion, Olivier Zahm joins forces with Alex Wiederin of Vogue Hommes International in editing this retrospective on Carine Roitfeld.

Roitfeld is perhaps known best for her tenure as editor in chief at Vogue Paris. During her time at the publication she was known for pushing the limits by paring the bourgeois with the subversive.

The 386 page book opens with an introduction by Cathy Horyn. Featuring 250 magazine tear outs, influential covers and contributions by likes of Azzedine Alaia, Anna Wintour, Sofia Coppola, Mario Testino (who has partnered with Roitfeld on many legendary collaborations), Stefano Pilati, Martin Margiela, Miuccia Prada, Alexander Wang etc.

Anna Wintour is quoted as saying – “Carine, and her vision of French Vogue, embodies all that the world likes to think of as Parisian style: a sense of chic that’s impeccable—and sometimes idiosyncratic—and which forever lives on a moonlit street as seen through the lens of Helmut Newton.”

Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent is a visual look at Roitfeld’s influential work since the early 1990′s to date.

© Carine Roitfekd: irreverent, Rizzoli New York, 2011. It retails for £60 at all good bookshops from October 2011.

More on it here.

More in the On the coffee table series here.

More in the On the coffee table series here.

Photo Credit: Book Cover of Mulberry edited by Mulberry Brand Director Georgia Fendley. Published by Mulberry Company Limited, £55/$90. Cover image by Richard Foster.

‘Mulberry’ the book is a ‘fly on the wall’ heart felt celebration of English luxury fashion brand, Mulberry. Created to mark the 40th anniversary of the brand, this heavy 480 page tome takes you into the very heart of the fashion and leather goods house.

Edited by Mulberry Brand Director Georgia Fendley, it starts with an anecdote filled introduction (written in consultation with Roger Saul) about the creation of the quintessentially English brand, as founded by Roger Saul in 1971.

Through revealing documentary style photographs by Venetia Dearden (captured over the course of two years, it also includes photography by Alice Whitby and Carlo Draisci) the reader is given an in depth glimpse into all things Mulberry. This book is a candid access to the world of Mulberry (behind the scenes at fashion week shows, parties, campaign shoots, models, collaborations, hard working team, the Mulberry factory based in Someset and boutiques) no holds barred.

The book has intimate shots of Mulberry Creative Director Emma Hill and beautiful natural photographs of the brand’s regular creative contributors; Tim Walker, Pat McGrath, Sam McKnight and Edward Enninful.

Taking nearly three years to be created, ‘Mulberry’ the book is a loving and honest insider look at a brand that has admirably stayed quintessentially English for forty years.

Mulberry edited by Mulberry Brand Director Georgia Fendley retails for £55/$90 is available at select Mulberry boutiques, national bookstores and international sellers.

More on Mulberry here.

More in the On the coffee table series here.