Art Books Are a One Size Fits All Gift Idea
This year’s Highsnobiety Gift Guide is all about the presents that’ll make a difference in these new and strange times. From gifts that encourage connection with loved ones, to self-love suggestions you entirely deserve at the end of 2020.
No matter how powerful the lure of the continuous scroll becomes, books will always have a place in society. And with us bunkered down and gearing up for a lockdown holiday, there’s something even more appealing about escaping into pages that venture the histories of art, fashion, and music right now. Maybe it’s a cliche, but there’s a book out there for everyone, and that’s exactly why it’s a simple but effective gift idea.
Grandpa that loves gardening? There’s a book for that. Coffee-snob mom? There’s a book for that. Your younger brother who recently got into acid? There’s probably a book for that.
To give you some inspiration, we’ve put together a list of art book gift suggestions that you’ll likely want to have a skim or two through yourself. From visual essays on hip hop's domination of New York to a deep dive on the story of Stone Island, we'll let you get reading.
Scroll on for the best art book gift ideas.
Shoplifters: New Retail Architecture & Brand Space
Before a pandemic put a pause on much of retail, we explored new ways of bringing cool products to you — having launched a pop-up at London's Selfridges and taking our Colette documentary merch around the world. Continue the future of retail conversation with this insightful, and beautiful, book.
Silver Skate 70s
When it's freezing outside, transport yourself to the blazing hot climes and swimming pools of Southern California via this photograph book on the area's '70s skate culture.
Stone Island: Storia
In terms of cult followings in fashion, they don't come much bigger than that amassed by Italy's Stone Island. From Milanese dyeing plants to the football terraces of England, this monograph details the story of the 1982-born brand.
Soul of a Nation
You may have read our anti-racism reading list from earlier this year. If not, you should check it out. Soul of a Nation documents the expression of black struggle, black power, and America's race struggle through art. An essential.
Supreme
Supreme was sold to VF for a wild $2.1 billion earlier this year. If you want to understand exactly how that happened, this book on the streetwear label's 25-year history is a good place to start. Images are stunning.
Great Artists
Great Artists explores the criminally-overlooked female artists that have finally got the recognition they deserve in recent times. This inspirational little art book features more than 400 incredible artists.
Hip Hop at the End of the World
Ernest Paniccioli has photographed 40 years of hip hop, from its birth up to its biggest stars. One to get lost in over the lockdown holiday.
More Than Just a House: At Home with Collectors and Creators
Feeling like getting creative from the comfort of your home? Well, if you're not, then this might be the inspo you need. Creative minds around the globe open the doors to their homes, letting you in on their taste secrets.
Daniel Arsham
Two titans of the streetwear game — Virgil Abloh and Daniel Arsham unite for a book that explores the post-media landscape and the pair's path of inspiration.
Peter Lindbergh On Fashion Photography
Lindbergh's long list of photography subjects scales the heights of fashion's most famous names. From Jil Sander to Yohji Yamamoto, this is a gorgeous who's who photo album to while hours with.
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