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Architecture & Design

Are you looking to be inspired by some of the finest designers and architects? You find a wide selection of fascinating architecture and design books at Tales. The design books can inspire you to renew your style or house, but you can also use them in your creative process both as a student or professional. If you are more into buildings and the process behind them, take a look at our architecture books that will take you around the world to the most wonderful and groundbreaking buildings on Earth. All of them will look good on your coffee table.
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  • Save 27%
    - The Ultimate Book of Costume and Style
    by DK
    £25.49

    3,000 years of fashion history in one stylish visual guideFashion is the definitive guide to the evolution of costume and style. Tracing 3,000 years from the early draped fabrics of ancient times to today's catwalk sensations, this is your own personal fashion show through history. Breathtaking in its scope, Fashion is packed with over 1,500 costumes from around the globe and lavishly illustrated with a mix of original fashion plates, archive images and commissioned photography. Plus features on famous trend-setters, fashion icons and designers from Jackie Onassis to Alexander McQueen bring the world of fashion to life. Fashion is guaranteed to add style to your bookshelf; with its luxurious textured fabric jacket and spine, it's the season's must-have for anyone with a passion for fashion.

  • Save 20%
    - 150 Years of Modern Art in the Blink of an Eye
    by Will Gompertz
    £11.99

    What Are You Looking At? by Will Gompertz - a wonderfully lively and accessible history of Modern Art by the BBC Arts Editor 'An essential primer not only for art lovers but for art loathers too' **** ExpressWhat is modern art? Why do we either love it or loathe it? And why is it worth so much damn money? Join Will Gompertz on a dazzling tour that will change the way you look at modern art forever. From Monet's water lilies to Van Gogh's sunflowers, from Warhol's soup cans to Hirst's pickled shark, hear the stories behind the masterpieces, meet the artists as they really were, and discover the real point of modern art. You will learn: not all conceptual art is bollocks; Picasso is king (but C zanne is better); Pollock is no drip; Dali painted with his moustache; a urinal changed the course of art, why your 5-year-old really couldn't do it. Refreshing, irreverent and always straightforward, What Are You Looking At? cuts through the pretentious art speak and asks all the basic questions that you were too afraid to ask. Your next gallery trip is going to be a little less intimidating and a lot more interesting.'Robert Hughes's The Shock of the New redone la Bill Bryson' ****TelegraphThis book is essential reading for sceptics, art lovers, and the millions of us who visit art galleries every year - and are confused. It will also be enjoyed by readers of The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich and is a perfect primer to the subject for the student or beginner.Will Gompertz is the BBC Arts Editor and probably the world's first art history stand-up comedian. He was a Director at the Tate Gallery for 7 years. He has a particular interest in modern art and has written about the arts for The Times and the Guardian for over 20 years. In 2009, he wrote and performed a sell-out one-man comedy show about modern art at the Edinburgh Festival. He was recently voted one of the world's top 50 creative thinkers by New York's Creativity Magazine.

  • Save 27%
    by Micky Nielson
    £25.49

    The definitive art book for the remastered Spyro Reignited Trilogy, for fans young and old.

  • Save 28%
    by Julia Voss
    £17.99

    Explore Ernst Haeckel, the 19th-century artist-biologist who found beauty in the most unlikely creatures. This collection features 300 prints from his most important publications, including the majestic Kunstformen der Natur and his catalogues of marine life. These exquisite images are a scientific, artistic and environmental masterwork.

  • Save 28%
    by Christian Sumi
    £25.99

    Zum Zeitpunkt seiner Präsentation 1955 war der Citroën DS gleichermassen Sensation und Faszination für Designer, Philosophen und Politiker. Kein anderes Fahrzeug vermochte Form und Technologie scheinbar mühelos so stimmig zu vereinen. Radikal in seiner Ausführung und revolutionär in Sachen Komfort und Sicherheit, ist der DS einer der innovativsten Design-Ikonen des 20. Jahrhunderts.In Kollaboration mit Lars Müller Publishers, veröffentlichte der Schweizer Architekt Christian Sumi 2001 eine neue Edition "AS in DS" (Alison Smithson in DS). In diesem neuen Werk, untersucht er die Charakteristiken dieses vollendeten Automobils anhand sorgfältig arrangierter Fotoserien und Zeichnungen von Falminio Bertoni und dem Citroën Designteam, die Innen und Aussenkonstruktion des DS detailliert aufzeigen. Mit Hilfe von Fotoessays der damaligen Werbekampagnen zum Citroën DS, analysiert Sumi dessen Ikonisierung, Wahrnehmung und Theorien, welche das Phänomen in einem zeitgenössischen und philosophischen gleichermassen kontextualisieren.

  • Save 31%
    by Naughty Dog
    £58.49

    Follow Ellie''s profound and harrowing journey of vengeance through an exhaustive collection of original art and intimate creator commentary in the full-color hardcover volume: The Art of The Last of Us Part II. Created in collaboration between Dark Horse Books and the developers at Naughty Dog, The Art of The Last of Us Part II offers extensive insights into the making of the long-awaited sequel to the award-winning The Last of Us. This limited edition also features an exclusive cover and slipcase, as well as a gallery-quality lithograph!

  • Save 31%
     
    £51.99

    Take a trip through three centuries of trend. In this spectacular collection from the Kyoto Costume Institute, one of the world's most extensive clothing collections, the smartest minds and sharpest eyes in fashion studies walk us through the outer- and underwear, shoes, and accessories that have defined people around the world.

  • Save 10%
    - Draw 60 Plants & Animals in 10 Easy Steps
    by Mary Woodin
    £8.99

    A beginners guide to drawing plants and animals in 10 simple steps, with helpful short explanations.

  • Save 10%
    - Stitches, Techniques & 13 Modern Projects
    by Bernadette Baldelli
    £8.99

    13 beautiful blackwork patterns with a colourful twist to embroider for the home.

  • - a guide to creating brand identity for start-ups and beyond
    by Radim Malinic
    £17.99

    An essential addition to the start-up toolkit, designed for entrepreneurs, founders, graphic designers, brand creators and anyone seeking to decode the complicated world of brand identity. Book of Branding is a creative guide for new businesses, start-ups and individuals, which puts visual identity at the heart of brand strategy.

  • Save 29%
    by Alan Flusser
    £31.99

    A fully illustrated biography of iconic American designer Ralph Lauren told through the lens of fashion From the author of Dressing the Man, the seminal tome on men’s fashion, comes the illustrated biography of Ralph Lauren. Published as part of the designer's 50th anniversary, Alan Flusser’s book looks at the life of the iconic American designer through the lens of fashion and cultural impact. This high-level, yet intimate, reflection on the life and work of Ralph Lauren shows how a preppy young boy from the Bronx created one of the most recognizable brands in American fashion.

  • Save 30%
    - A Life Spent Painting
    by Robert Storr
    £41.99

    An authoritative and comprehensive survey of the life and work of the visionary and influential painter Philip Guston, with more than 850 illustrations

  • Save 13%
     
    £12.99

    Invaluable tutorials and insightful tips make Beginner's Guide to Fantasy Drawing a perfect start to your fantasy art journey.

  • Save 27%
     
    £25.49

    Monocle's latest book unpacks what makes a perfect shopping experience and offers tips on how to launch, design and run your own store. A must-have guide.The world of retail has never been so challenged thanks to a mix of e-commerce, unimaginative brand owners and greedy landlords. Yet while many stores have stumbled, a new generation of storekeepers and department store owners is arising. Is this the dawn of a new, independent age of bricks and mortar retail?Since launch the retail world has been one of the pillars of Monocle's editorial coverage. On their travels around the world, the magazine's editors are constantly looking for well-designed fit-outs, the people setting new benchmarks in service and the stores offering the smartest product mix.At the heart of all this is an understanding that a memorable shopping experience relies on a delicate balance of an inviting space, a warm welcome and a sense of discovery (not to mention covetable products)-but an understanding, too, that shops and shopkeepers play an indispensable role in creating lively neighbourhoods and vibrant high streets.This new book from Monocle reveals the global media brand's 100 favourite shops worldwide, from the independent fashion boutique to the department store that takes up a city block. It also offers a few top tips and advice on how to launch and run your own retail venture, as well as a collection of sharp essays and snappy interviews. The Monocle Guide to Shops, Kiosks and Markets is a handbook for any aspiring shopkeeper, stocking a wealth of insight and inspiration.

  • Save 14%
    by Robert Henri
    £9.49

    "Comparable only to the notes of Leonardo and Sir Joshua." - George Bellows. Inspiring essays, lectures, and notes by a gifted teacher embody both his practical painting techniques and his belief that the joy of the creative process is vital and accessible to everyone.

  • Save 17%
    by Christoph Wagner
    £9.99

  • Save 25%
    by Kyoto Costume Institute
    £14.99

    Take an excursion through the last three centuries of trend. This spectacular collection from the Kyoto Costume Institute, one of the world's most extensive clothing collections, features the outerwear, underwear, footwear, and accessories that have defined self across time and geography.

  • Save 18%
    - Creatures & Monsters
     
    £16.49

    Sketching from the Imagination: Monsters & Creatures showcases sketches and insights by fifty artists from the field of creature design.

  • Save 17%
    - 100+ simple drawing exercises from Simone Grunewald
    by Simone Grnewald
    £18.99

    Absorb the extensive illustrative knowledge of Simone Grunewald and learn to create your own engaging characters and scenes.

  • Save 10%
    - Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Minerology, Anatomy and the Arts
    by Patrick Syme
    £8.99

    Werner's Nomenclature of Colours is a fascinating book penned by Patrick Syme. Published by The Natural History Museum in 2018, this work is a unique blend of art and science. The book delves into the intricate world of colours, exploring their nomenclature and classification in a way that is both engaging and enlightening. As a genre, it straddles the lines between non-fiction, art, and scientific literature, offering readers a multi-faceted look at the subject. Syme's vivid descriptions and insightful commentary make the book a must-read for anyone with an interest in the intersection of art and science. Published by the prestigious Natural History Museum, this book is a testament to Syme's extensive knowledge and passion for his subject. Don't miss out on this enlightening read!

  • Save 23%
    - 200 Step-by-Step Flowers, Leaves, Cacti, Succulents, and Other Items Found In Nature
    by Peggy Dean
    £15.49

    An easy, no-skills-necessary guide to drawing flowers, leaves, and cacti with 200 step-by-step prompts.

  • Save 27%
     
    £21.99

    A much-needed publication celebrating the endless creativity of Anni Albers, one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century.

  • Save 23%
    - Everything Interior Designers Need to Know Every Day
    by Chris Grimley
    £15.49

    The title collects the information essential to planning and executing interior projects, and distills it in a format that is as easy to use as it is to carry.

  • Save 27%
    by Antonio Donnanno
    £21.99

    Fashion Patternmaking Technique for Kids clothes is the result of 15 years reprints and corrections based in an everyday teaching praxis, which lead to careful studies and ongoing updates taking into account changing needs. As in the other volumes of the series, the author has written a method, simple but at the same time detailed, precise and easy to understand.

  • Save 21%
    - How to Draw Essential Character Types from Simple Templates
    by Christopher Hart
    £13.49

    With easy-to-follow steps and techniques, learn how to draw popular characters of Japanese anime.

  • Save 30%
    - 1890-1959
    by Jens Muller
    £41.99

    In this mighty first volume, Jens Muller traces 70 years of graphic design, designers, and developments from the late 19th century through the economic boom after World War II, spanning designs that would form the basis for further revolutions.

  • Save 25%
     
    £14.99

    As the first thing a consumer sees when looking at a product, the packaging can make or break a sale. Each year, the Pentawards celebrate the underrated art of package design by recognizing the most influential pieces from around the world. Featuring hundreds of works and with key pieces described in detail, this book brings together the lucky...

  • Save 20%
    - A History of the World's Most Spectacular Spans
    by Judith Dupre
    £22.49

    From the best-selling author of Skyscrapers comes the much-anticipated revised edition of her magnificent chronological tour of the world's most significant and eye-popping spans, now in color and bigger than ever.

  • Save 22%
    by Beatriz Colomina
    £13.99

    A holistic approach toward the omnipotence of design.

Architecture

Our selection of cultural books also include architecture books. If you are fascinated by beautiful or memorable buildings we have the books for you. 

Architecture is the art form everyone is in contact with everyday. We move across a wide variety of buildings everytime we go out the door. Schools, work spaces, museums and even your own home is a form of architecture. Some buildings however have that extra effect on you. They make you shop and wonder, and most importantly they are products of their time. They are part of our history and tell the story of the time they were made. Some architects also go beyond that creating something never seen before and these are the buildings that we remember and they might even become attractions or landmarks like the beloved Eiffeltower in the city of lights.   

You could also get inspired as an architect or architectural student yourself. The architecture books invite you into the process of making a building out of the ordinary. If you are interested in sustainability you could also find architecture books about that. In the last couple of years we have also seen an increase in sustainable architecture, where materials are reused or alternative and good for our planet. They are the buildings of the future. 

We also have a collection of garden architecture books. In recent years open air spaces have been desired especially in the big cities, where fewer and fewer have access to a garden or park. Therefore we need innovative ways of finding new green areas in the cities also in order to be sustainable. For that matter we need to plant more trees and have nature surrounding us both for our planet, but also for the wellbeing of ourselves. Find ideas for new kinds of creating just that in our selection of architecture books. 



Fashion and design

Everyone wants to be stylish, and in our selection of design and fashion books you can get inspired by some of the best style icons and designers in the world. You can get that extra tip that will help you become the most stylish person in the room or one of the new style icons of Instagram.  Whether it’s about interior or clothes you will find it all among our fashion books and design books.

Fashion is a way of showing who you are. The way you dress reflects your personality and it is a way of showing how you feel or wants to feel that day, although it can be difficult to mix your outfit in the right way, and that is where the fashion books can help. Another wonderful thing about the fashion and design books is that they look stylish in themselves, and they will look gorgeous as a coffee table book. They add that extra level of style to your furnishing, and you display all your knowledge about fashion. So that is why you find the most beautiful and cool fashion books for decor at Tales. 

In our selection you find the popular fashion book In Paris by the French Instagram it-girl Jeanne Damas and Lauren Bastide. In the book they try to cover the secrets of the parisienne; who she is, what she wears and where she is heading. The fashion book contains interviews with 20 of the most inspiring French women from the city of light, and concludes that being a parisienne is not just about how you look and dress, but a way of life. 

If you yourself dream of having a designer carriere, you could also find fashion books for designing in Tales’ selection of culture books. Get the perfect guide to sewing, draping, and picking patterns for your next stylish creation. 

If you need inspiration to renew your furnishing you could - in addition to selecting a stylish book among our fashion books for coffee tables - also find design books about that. They help you pick the most tasteful furniture on the market and most importantly how to style them, and you could end up with the most wonderful interior in your own house. 


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