2. Valentino: Themes and Variations by Pamela Golbin & Valentino

Valentino is synonymous with timeless elegance. From a distance many of his designs appear simple and understated, but the details are always stunning. This book celebrates forty-five years of an outstanding career.

3. Oscar de la Renta: His Legendary World of Style by André Leon Talley

Famous for dressing Jacqueline Kennedy and countless other style icons in Hollywood and beyond, Oscar de la Renta made the world a more beautiful place with each of his exquisite designs. This book takes a closer look at nearly seventy iconic gowns.

4. Lanvin by Dean Merceron, Alber Elbaz, & Harold Koda

The legendary French design house Lanvin was founded by a pioneering woman whose couture creations for her daughter attracted the attention of the rich and famous in nineteenth century Paris. This book showcases some of the most impressive designs in over one hundred twenty years of fashion.

5. Chanel: The Vocabulary of Style by Jérôme Gautier

Today we take much of the gender and social fluidity of fabrics for granted, but in the early twentieth century things like tweed were reserved for men and the little black dress was for mourning only. This book chronicles fashion luminary Coco Chanel’s barrier-breaking style with classic and contemporary photographs of her most stunning designs.

6. Yves Saint Laurent by Florence Chenoune, & Farid Muller

French fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent began his career at Dior before launching his own line of bold, modern designs. This book celebrates his impressive career.

7. Cartier in the 20th Century by Margaret Young-Sanchez

Diving into the world of haute joaillerie, Cartier has been a paragon of luxury since the mid-nineteenth century. This book showcases devastatingly beautiful jewels that have graced the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, the Duchess of Windsor, and other privileged women.

8. Prada by Michael Rock & Sung Joong Kim

The devil isn’t the only one who wears Prada. This book includes a lookbook of epic proportions: 3,885 outfits, plus collages, runway photos, and much more.

9. Christian Louboutin by Christian Louboutin & Philippe Garcia

This list would not be complete without addressing footwear, and Louboutin is synonymous with luxury–in style if not necessarily in comfort–in the shoe department. Beware: if you don’t already have a foot fetish, you may after flipping through this book.

10. Versace by Donatella Versace, Maria Luisa Frisa, & Stefano Tonchi

Versace is one of the most celebrated Italian fashion houses of the modern era. This illustrated company history captures the opulence of its designs.