This definitive celebration of the photographic career of Horst P. Horst (1906 – 99) is published to accompany a headline exhibition at the V&A. Horst ranks alongside Irving Penn and Richard Avedon as one of the great masters of twentieth-century fashion photography. As one of Vogue’s most prolific and creative contributors, Horst worked both in Paris and New York, photographing the fashions of leading designers as well as producing recognisable portraits of the century’s stars. It’s not all fashion photography however, as Horst also created some exceptional nude studies and still life’s that were often influenced by the Surrealism of Dali. In addition his travel and interiors photography are also beautifully reproduced making this a contender of any book gifts this season.

Accompanies the V&A exhibition Horst: Photographer of Style, 6 September 2014 to 4 January 2015

Houghton hall is without doubt one of the most beautiful of English country houses and a key example of Palladian architecture. The house was designed by James Gibbs and Colen Campbell, and built in the 1720s for Sir Robert Walpole the first prime minister. The magnificent interiors were put together by the incredibly talented William Kent and were designed around Walpole’s priceless collection of paintings. Sadly most of this magnificent collection was sold in 1779 to Catherine the Great of Russia by Sir Robert’s grandson to pay off crippling debts. Moore’s book examines the house and tells the story through its key architectural spaces, like the impressive Stone Hall, that is perhaps the most beautiful room in England.

Jacques Garcia is one of the world’s most famous interior designers, and this book is about his lovingly restored Château du Champ de Bataille. Garcia gained considerable expertise restoring iconic buildings over the years including rooms at Versailles. And so having found this chateau in a virtual state of ruin twenty years ago, Garcia has lovingly restored it to its former splendour. It is now a treasure trove of seventeenth and eighteenth century architecture, furniture and garden design. This lavishly illustrated volume, documents the meticulous research and epic restoration undertaken by Garcia.

Cecil Beaton had many strings to his bow. He was a diarist, painter, interior designer and an Academy Award-winning stage and costume designer. But it is as a photographer that he is most celebrated and indeed he was one of the most outstanding photographers of the 20th century. He was a fashion, portrait and war photographer and is primarily renowned for his images of elegance, glamour and style. The chapters are presented chronologically, with sections on Bright Young Things, The War Years, High Society, Hollywood Royalty, and The Peacock Revolution.

It is curious that although Beaton’s photography famously flattered the subject, his diaries frequently did quite the opposite, and he was described ‘Malice in Wonderland’ by Jean Cocteau. Of Audrey Hepburn, Beaton said ‘she is like a portrait by Modigliani where the various distortions are not only interesting in themselves but make a completely satisfying composite’. Marilyn Monroe ‘romps, she squeals with delight, she leaps on the sofa. It is an artless, impromptu, high-spirited, infectiously gay performance. It will probably end in tears’. Marlon Brando was ‘pallid as a mushroom, smooth-skinned and scarred, with curved feminine lips and silky hair, he seems as unhealthy as a lame duck. Yet his ram-like profile has the harsh strength of the gutter’. This beautiful book captures the glamorous worlds of Cecil Beaton through his unforgettable photographs and sharp observations.

Accompanies the Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler exhibition ‘Beaton at Brook Street’ , 18 November – 5 December 2014