Homes are sacred spaces; the furniture and objects are representative of the self and the energy one wants to emulate. How to elevate a space, you may ask? – books, and we mean coffee table books.
More than just the aesthetic appeal of well-designed covers and graphics on its pages, coffee table books are as functional as they are beautiful. The titles chosen are sources of self-expression and entertainment for your house guests. Especially when paired with a soothing cup of joe and great company, here are Complex’s picks for coffee table books to help elevate your home:
1000 Sneakers: A Guide to the World's Greatest Kicks, from Sport to Street
Where to buy: Lazada
The extensive history of sneakers cannot be summed up in writing, though capturing its definitive moments are attainable. Mathieu Le Maux transcends the definition of footwear—stirring back to its core.
Aging like fine wine, the 256-page encyclopedia channels all the colorful facets of history, highlighting formidable silhouettes, their ability to stand the test of time, and ultimately those who have drawn inspiration from them. The visual time capsule of variety sees the convergence of cultures—from early silhouettes to the influence of pop-culture icons to the development of pairs we all know and love.
Complex Presents: Sneaker of the Year
Where to buy: Lazada
Now, it wouldn’t be a Complex piece if Complex wasn’t featured, would it?
Highlighting iconic pairs since ‘85, Complex’s Sneaker of the Year distinguishes the introduction of Air Jordan to the industry as a turning point for the direction of footwear.
The coffee table option encapsulates 35 years of the rich sneaker culture as Complex peruses from the conception of the coveted Peter Moore silhouette towards the fledging footwear industry—pinpointing annual champions. The October 2020 release celebrates the phenomenon and legacy of the man who made us want to fly, taking the sneaker industry with him to new heights in a manner that only Complex can offer.
Kinfolk Travel: Slower Ways to See the World
Where to buy: Lazada
Tackling a different perspective, Kinfolk invites the reader to man a slower pace when looking at the world.
Grounded on the simplistic, authentic, intentional, and community-driven philosophy, the 352-page gallery advocates “slow travel,” reflected through its mundane two-dimensional experience. Peering into over 20 locations across five continents, Kinfolk Travel procuring a visual guide centered on fostering meaningful connections and authentic experiences.
Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture
Where to buy: Lazada
Reforming the displaying of sneakers in all their glory, Out of the Box captures coveted pairs—well, out of the box. The Elizabeth Semmelhack map encapsulates an exhibition, unmasking its variety in print—drawn from present-day collections and museums.
The pairs featured in the 256-page bible stem from the early 1800s to the stripes and swooshes of the 2010s. Capturing a holistic perspective on the development of sneakers, it looks into the archives (in essence, a glorious sneaker travel guide)—pinpointing the location and details of those who have reformed the industry straight from the coffee table.
Virgil Abloh. Nike. ICONS
Where to buy: Lazada
Recognized as a generational icon, the late Virgil Abloh reaps cultural significance, with his legacy forever changing the sneaker industry.
ICONS sheds light on the former-Louis Vuitton Creative Designer’s investigative ingenuity—procuring a coffee table collection of the early prototypes, memoirs, and thorough documentation, reforming the Swoosh through his reimagined iconography. The coveted 2016 collaboration between Abloh and Nike celebrates the Oregon manufacturers’ footwear legacy, with The Ten project receiving an Off White makeover through lettering, labels, collage, and sculpting techniques
