Explore our curated selection of upcoming spring releases spanning art, fashion, and cultural heritage. From “Black Ancient Futures,” challenging conventional representations of Africa through diasporic artistic voices, to the V&A’s “Bags” chronicling centuries of accessory evolution. Discover women’s artistic contributions in National Trust collections, delve into luxury fashion with pocket guides to Cartier and Fendi, and journey through France’s most picturesque villages. These beautifully illustrated volumes offer fresh perspectives on creative expression across continents, eras, and disciplines—perfect additions to any art lover’s or cultural enthusiast’s bookshelf.
Black Ancient Futures
9783777445175 | Hirmer | PB
Artists from the vast African diaspora challenging the dominant aesthetic representations of Africa
The visual and textual proposals presented in this book challenge the dominant aesthetic representations of Africa through languages that propose and reimagine a past, a present and a future for the black artistic experience in a transcontinental reality. These are broad proposals that do not aim to illustrate a current or movement, but embrace the creation of fantasies, science-fiction narratives, and discourses where criticism, satire and irony are evident.
This book brings together a significant group of voices from the vast African diaspora that offers dense visual and philosophical thought rich in references to African history, mysticism, mythology, ecology and fictions. Through visual and textual proposals, these voices challenge the dominant aesthetic representations of Africa through languages that propose and reimagine a past, a present and a future for the black artistic experience in a transcontinental reality.
Coming April 2025
Bags (Victoria and Albert Museum)
9780500298022 | Thames and Hudson Ltd | PB
Claire Wilcox and Elizabeth Currie
An impeccably researched and beautifully produced concise history of bags through the ages, with examples drawn from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s remarkable collection.
From the hand-stitched embroidered purses of the 16th century, to the ‘make-do-and-mend’ bags of the war years and the rise of the ‘It’ bag in the 2000s, bags reflect the needs and desires of their users, as well as the changing attitudes to fashion. Focusing on the V&A’s world-famous collection, Bags tells the story of the bag from the earliest leather pouches through to today’s covetable, luxury pieces.
Coming April 2025
Women Artists & Designers of the National Trust
9780707804699 | The National Trust | PB
Rochel Conry, Introduction by Sandi Toksvig
From the magnificent gardens created by Vita Sackville-West at Sissinghurst to a striking self-portrait by Angelica Kauffman, the elegant, mass-produced ceramics of Susie Cooper and a model of a Palmyran temple by lady’s maid Elizabeth Ratcliffe, this beautifully illustrated book explores the lives and work of women whose creativity has shaped the National Trust’s collections and, often, the experience of visitors to its places.
Spanning six centuries, this book takes a closer look at some of the many women artists and designers whose lives are connected to National Trust places or whose work is represented in its vast collections. The selection features both talented amateur artists and professionals who have shaped the art-historical canon (such as Eileen Agar, Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun, Rosalba Carriera and Barbara Hepworth), focusing on their unique contributions and achievements across a range of disciplines, including garden and interior design, photography, illustration, enamelling, fine art, studio pottery and textiles.
The Pocket Cartier
9781786751966 | Gemini Adult Books Limited | HB
Gemini Books
An insider’s view of the exquisite jewellery and accessories that have made Cartier one of the most prestigious brands in the world.
Beloved by royalty and rockstars alike, Cartier is synonymous with qualilty and rarity.
The Pocket Cartier is an unofficial and unauthorized guide to this iconic brand. It covers the historical background of Cartier, accomponied by stunning imagery of its jewellery, as well as the timeless watches and the people who popularized them. For example, Louis Cartier’s simple yet enduring design of the Cartier tank has been worn by stars such as Clarke Gable and Humphrey Bogart, as well as Jackie Kennedy and Princess Di. It has become an eternal classic, evolving with updates while preserving its original integrity.
Gemini Pockets
From little guides to soothe your soul and to all-access passes to the lives of pop icons, and more quizzes and puzzles for literature lovers to books on food, nature, fashion, and more, Gemini Pockets are the perfect fit for your life and interests.
The Pocket Fendi
9781786751959 | Gemini Adult Books Limited | HB
A beautifully concise guide to the history of Italian fashion house Fendi.
Founded in a small boutique in Rome a century ago, the luxury goods company is now synonymous with elegance and experimentation, and known for its groundbreaking couture, perfume, handbags, shoes, jewellery and accessories. This unofficial and unauthorized pocket guide to Fendi describes these classics in exquisite detail.
Recognized by its double F logo, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, as well as for its iconic pieces, such as the Baguette and Croissant bags popularized in the 1990s, the brand is celebrated on its centenary.
Gemini Pockets
From little guides to soothe your soul to all-access passes to the lives of pop icons, and from quizzes and puzzles to literature lovers to books on food, nature, fashion, and more, Gemini Pockets are the perfect fit for your life and interests.
The Most Beautiful Villages of France
9782080462558 | Flammarion | PB
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, Forward by Stephane Bern
Discover the 176 most picturesque villages to visit in France in this official illustrated guidebook from the association that has passionately selected charming villages since 1982.
From the verdant village of Gargilesse-Dampierre favored by George Sand, to the picturesque Hunawihr along the wine trail, to the medieval town of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne nicknamed the “Riviera of the Limousin,” this illustrated guide unveils the beauty and diversity of rural France, providing complete visitor’s information for these exceptionally well-preserved destinations. Carefully selected annually, the French villages featured in this official guide are replete with historical, architectural, and natural riches.
A brief history of each village is accompanied by recommendations for monuments, museums, and other places to visit; accommodation options ranging from hotels to campsites; restaurants, markets, artisanal produce, and local specialties. Details on leisure activities encompass festivals, events, and excursions that encourage visitors to explore the surrounding area. This practical, authoritative, and accessible illustrated guide is completed with an overview map of France, QR code links to additional online resources, and an index.
