On The Table

Just in time for late-summer reading (or a perfectly-styled display), a new crop of coffee table books is making a strong visual case for both beauty and substance. From The Jewelry Book, Phaidon’s encyclopedic A-to-Z of high jewelry, to Louis Vuitton’s tribute to the America’s Cup, these releases offer a window into the worlds of fashion, sport, and art. Saint Laurent and Photography explores the designer’s visual legacy through the lens of iconic photographers, while M&Others considers motherhood as a powerful, and often overlooked, muse in fashion history. Whether you’re building a library or setting a scene, this edit deserves a place on the table.

 

The Jewelry Book

This September, The Jewelry Book arrives as Phaidon’s latest authoritative A-to-Z guide—spotlighting 300 names that have shaped jewelry history over the past two centuries. Edited by curator and journalist Melanie Grant, the book spans the legendary and the lesser-known, from Cartier and Suzanne Belperron to Maōri jade carvers and genre-defying contemporary artists.

To coincide with its release, Sotheby’s will host The Jewelry Book: An A to Z Exhibition in New York from September 10–21. Co-curated by Grant and Sotheby’s Frank Everett, the show brings select pieces from the book into the gallery space, including works by Hemmerle, Taffin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bina Goenka, and more—many of which will be available for private sale. The result is both a companion to the publication and a rare opportunity to view (and collect) some of the world’s most significant jewels in person.

The Jewelry Book Edited by Melanie Grant (Phaidon, $79.95).

 

The America’s Cup

In celebration of Louis Vuitton’s 40-year partnership with the America’s Cup, the Maison has teamed up with Taschen to publish a definitive, large-format volume chronicling the history, drama, and design of the world’s oldest international sporting event. With archival photography, original documents, and a visual deep dive into the art of sailing and craftsmanship, the book captures both the adrenaline of the race and the elegance that surrounds it.

From bespoke travel trunks to wind-sculpted sails, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup legacy is as much about innovation and aesthetics as it is about sport. Designed as a collector’s object in its own right, the book reflects the same spirit of precision and prestige that defines the regatta—and the house behind it.

The America’s Cup. Limited Edition and The America’s Cup. Marc Newson Art Edition were released in Spring 2025. The general-trade edition will be available on September 22nd 2025 at a price of 125 euros.

 

Yves Saint Laurent and Photography

A new volume from Phaidon explores Yves Saint Laurent’s enduring relationship with the camera—charting nearly five decades of the designer’s work through the lenses of Avedon, Penn, Leibovitz, Bailey, and more. From studio portraits to runway documentation, the book captures the evolution of a house—and an image.

 

Released in conjunction with the 2025 exhibition at Rencontres d’Arles, the book pairs striking visuals with essays from curators and photography historians, positioning Saint Laurent not only as a designer but as a defining subject of 20th-century image-making.

Yves Saint Laurent and Photography (Phaidon, $69.95, September 10).

 

M&Others: Fashion and Motherhood

 

From Christian Dior to Jacquemus, the mother figure has long loomed large in fashion’s imagination. In M&Others, authors Karolien De Clippel and Karen Godshoven trace how motherhood—real, symbolic, and subverted—has shaped centuries of style, from 17th-century iconography to today’s more fluid interpretations.

 

 

With a mix of archival material, essays, and contemporary references, this is the first international volume dedicated entirely to the intersection of motherhood and fashion. Published by Lannoo, it’s a thoughtful and timely addition to any collector’s shelf.