Best art books to gift your creative friends this Christmas

Books can feel like a hit or miss gift. Friends with the best intentions have given me books over the years that have collected dust and I have never opened. BUT… done well, a book that fits your interests can be the gift you keep thinking about when the holiday season is long over.

As a lover of art, fashion and design myself, this year I have put together a list of books that I think would make great gifts for amateurs, hobbyists and professionals in the arts alike. And the best bit? I’ve organised this with headings that tell you EXACTLY the kind of person who will LOVE the book at hand. And, I’ve read all of them, so I can assure you that all of these books are fantastic reads.

By the way, where I’ve been able to I’ve used bookshop.org/ links for these books. Bookshop.org is a great site that allows you to buy directly from local independent bookshops online. If you can, I really recommend it for your book buying needs this Christmas! Now let’s get started.

For the feminist art-history lover: The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel

Katy Hessel has set out to make the almost-definitive history of female and non-binary artists through time. The result is The Story of Art without Men, a book that takes you through the history of art from the Renaissance to Impressionism to the Gee’s Bend quilt-makers and modern artists like Tracy Emin and Alice Neal. It’s a book that makes you appreciate the legacy of woman artists and inspires you to learn more. If you’re buying for an artist who needs some encouragement, an art-history lover whose always looking to learn more, or the casual museum goer who wishes they knew more, this is the book to buy this Christmas.

For the fashion (or World War II) history buff: Miss Dior by Justine Picardie

Originally setting out to write a book about the famous designer Christian Dior, historian Justine Picardie landed upon a lesser known story- that of his sister Catherine whose name dons the brand’s famous dresses and perfumes. You don’t expect to read about the French resistance, spying, and interrogation in most fashion books but this one is the exception. Although there is some fashion history in it, there’s also a lot more WW2 history so it’s definitely best for someone interested in a bit of both. Even my husband who couldn’t tell a New Look from a Chanel suit loved this book! One note: Don't be afraid of this book's length- it's actually a very easy read. This book is definitely best for someone who loves an action-packed narrative, historical details, and the hidden stories behind big brands.

For the personal stylist and sustainable fashion queen: Why Don't I Have Anything to Wear by Andrea Cheong

This influencer-turned de-influencer wrote THE practical book on how to build a wardrobe in the most sustainable way for your lifestyle, sustainability goals and sense of personal style. Andrea’s “Mindful Monday” series on TikTok and Instagram all focuses on learning how to spot quality garments that fit your style and will last in your wardrobe. Complete with quizzes and worksheets to think through your own clothing goals, this is a great gift for anyone who is interested in learning how to become more sustainable in a non-judgemental, good-for-mental-health way. It’s also great for anyone who has recently gone through a change like pregnancy or moving countries and needs to rethink their wardrobe without the pressure to buy everything on the internet.

For the one needing inspiration: The Archivist Edit Book from Liberty London

A beautifully crafted and well-placed coffee table-book can spark up a conversation about your interests, provide gorgeous inspo, and give relief from the doom-scrolling of social media. This coffee-table book is one of my favourites- not only does it have beautiful images from Liberty London’s textile archive spanning 1875 to the present, it also gives a short history of the process of putting the archive together. Interior designers, fashion designers, or graphic designers alike will be inspired by this scrumptious feast of colour and pattern. This book is best for the friend who loves looking at beautiful things or getting inspiration from other art forms.

For the Disney lover (Or SAG-AFTRA supporter): Disney Revolt by Jake S. Friedman

With the SAG-AFTRA and Writers’ strikes coming to an end in Hollywood, this book about labour strikes in 1930s animation studios is more relevant than ever. This book looks at the beginning years of Disney animation studios including some of the boundary-pushing practices of those early days, the creation of Mickey Mouse, Snow White and Fantasia and the labour strikes that would eventually slow production to a halt. It’s a great and compelling read, especially for anyone who loves classic Disney animation. I’d recommend this book as a buy for any Disney adult, anyone who dabbles in illustration or animation, and anyone who feels strongly about rights for workers in the creative industries.

Well that’s all from me! Happy book buying to all. If you end up buying any of these books as gifts (or cheekily, for yourself) why don’t you let me know in the comments?