Courtesy of Phaidon.
The "Wizard of Oz of New York Party Planning" (according to Vogue), Bronson van Wyck is known for his impeccable taste, wit, polish—and his acclaimed, aptly-titled book on hospitality, Born to Party, Forced to Work. Van Wyck has curated his fifteen favorite Phaidon reads exclusively for Phillips, offering a range of delightful—even entertaining—selections that explore everything from floral design to Greek cuisine.
1. Daniel Ost (Paul Geerts)
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Featuring additional texts by Dutch author Cees Nooteboom and Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the eponymous monograph centers on the acclaimed floral artist Daniel Ost. The Belgian designer here presents some of his most significant creations, which include installations for royals and exhibitions, alongside essays that illuminate the inspirations behind them.
2. Yves Saint Laurent Accessories (Patrick Mauriès)
Courtesy of Phaidon.
Although Yves Saint Laurent’s career has been eulogized for decades, his accessories have not been in the limelight—until now. Yves Saint Laurent Accessories focuses on the jewels, hats, shoes, and handbags that accompanied and elevated his groundbreaking couture.
3. The High Line
Courtesy of Phaidon.
A stunning visual experience in its own right, this book explores the conceptualization, planning, and creation of the New York City’s High Line. The book includes hundreds of exclusive images that reveal the process behind the popular landmark, infused with insights from the minds behind the masterpiece.
4. Where Bartenders Drink
Courtesy of Phaidon.
Decision fatigue—gone. Where Bartenders Drink offers 750 insider recommendations, complete with reviews and maps, from 60 countries. It is the ultimate guide to the the best of the best, from hole-in-the-wall bars to intimate local finds.
5. Sacred Spaces (James Pallister)
Courtesy of Phaidon.
Religious structures have, in many ways, provided the foundation for modern architecture. Sacred Spaces explores 30 influential projects that embody the relationship between function, form, and the sacred, featuring work by both emerging designers and the most important architects working today.
6. Factory: Andy Warhol (Stephen Shore)
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Stephen Shore spent his late teens at Andy Warhol’s famed studio, The Factory. While there, he photographed its luminaries, like Edie Sedgwick, Lou Reed, and Warhol, of course. This book is both personal and deeply insightful into an extremely vibrant moment in history.
7. Dalí (Robert Radford)
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Robert Radford here studies the immensely influential Dalí, from his formative time in Spain to immersing himself in Parisian surrealism to ventures to Hollywood. Radford also cleverly explores his oeuvre through those who made it possible, figures like his wife Gala and Federico Garcia Lorca.
8. Evolution: A Visual Record (Robert Clark)
In Evolution, Robert Clark digs into what one might consider unseeable. Yet in 200 stunning images, the lauded photographer offers a visual record of this fundamental scientific principle, in all its mythic and historic glory.
9. Exotic (Judy Sund)
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Our world has always been globalized and, as a result, has led the Western world to develop various fascinations with what is considered “exotic.” Judy Sund delves into some of these histories, looking at how engagement with “the foreign,”in the form of tattoos, tulips, or giraffes, has influenced and enriched Western artistic practice.
10. Jasper Johns (Isabelle Loring Wallace)
Courtesy of Phaidon.
Working alongside avant-garde personalities from a variety of disciplines, Jasper Johns played an instrumental role in the development of twentieth-century art. Isabelle Loring Wallace offers a biographical, richly illustrated, art historical take on the uncontested master, eloquently observing how Johns challenged and revived the art of painting.
11. Alex Katz (Carter Ratcliff, Robert Storr, and Iwona Blazwick)
Courtesy of Phaidon.
The distinct, sophisticated cut-out portraits of Alex Katz are immediately recognizable. In a series of expert texts by Ratcliff, Storr, and Blazwick, Alex Katz traces the artist’s work from the beginning of his career to the present, with a detailed look at how his work has changed alongside the art world, while maintaining its signature point of view.
12. Greece: The Cookbook (Vefa Alexiadou)
Courtesy of Phaidon.
Greece: The Cookbook is the perfect recipe to be transported. As Greek food rises in popularity, Vefa Alexiadou has compiled a detailed and authentic English-language guide to the delicious cuisine. Her easy-to-follow recipes feature all the staples—wine, figs, olive oil, cheese—with an eye to local specialities and their significance. Hungry yet?
13. Annie Leibovitz: At Work (Annie Leibovitz)
Courtesy of Phaidon.
Undeniably one of the most important living photographers, Annie Leibovitz has taken on studio for, photojournalism, fashion photography—and more—and done so with unmatched precision and originality. This unmissable text is her explainer, if you will, on how she does what she does.
14. Spirited (Adrienne Stillman)
Courtesy of Phaidon.
For when Where Bartenders Drink isn’t enough, you can take it home with Spirited, the ultimate guide for the at-home bartender. Including hundreds of recipes from around the world, Spirited leads the way in both making cocktails and how they reflect the history and era that created them.
15. Adrien Dalpayrat (Peter Marino)
Courtesy of Phaidon.
Adrien Dalpayrat, who worked in late nineteenth century France, is remembered as one of the most important ceramicists of his time. Here, Architect Peter Marino showcases his collection of Dalpayrat masterpieces in this richly illustrated volume.
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