Books on Luxury, design, and lifestyle

Designed to Stay, The Design Hotels™ Book
Authors: gestalten & Design Hotels™

More than a stay, a journey through the world's most beautiful design hotels.
• Explore 300+ unique hotels where architecture, culture, and experience merge
• An inspiring look at contemporary hospitality and interior design
• For lovers of travel, design, lifestyle, and architecture

Designed to Stay is a visual and substantive ode to the world of Design Hotels™, a global collection of over 300 independent hotels distinguished by innovative design, local embeddedness, and authentic hospitality. Each hotel is a creative masterpiece, designed by passionate hoteliers - the so-called Originals - who translate their personal vision into a unique place full of character.

Whether it's a hidden gem in the heart of a bustling metropolis or a secluded retreat in harmony with nature: each hotel tells its own story. In this coffee table book, you'll discover accommodation concepts that go beyond just spending the night. They invite connection, reflection, and discovery.

With breathtaking photography, inspiring stories, and sharp insights, Designed to Stay shows how contemporary hospitality is evolving into an art of experience, where aesthetics, emotion, and location converge.

What to expect:

• A carefully curated selection of Design Hotels™ worldwide, from urban hotspots to remote havens
• Impressive photography that brings the atmosphere, design, and character of each location to life
• Stories behind the hotels, focusing on architecture, culture, and the vision of the founders

About the authors:

Design Hotels™ has been a leading platform since 1993 for independent hotels that prioritize design and local culture. The collection now comprises over 300 hotels worldwide, from avant-garde city hotels in New York, Paris, and Tokyo to serene retreats on hidden beaches or mountaintops. Each hotel is a personal translation of the hotelier's vision, an ode to uniqueness, authenticity, and sensory experience. Together with publisher Gestalten, known for their visually powerful lifestyle books, they bundle their passion for travel, aesthetics, and meaningful hospitality in the photo book Designed to Stay.

Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches
Authors: Leon Schäfers, Jeanette Lang & Tobias Kargoll

Rappers, watches, and pure bling: discover the luxurious side of hip hop

Step into the world of ultimate luxury, exclusive watches, and iconic rap heroes with Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches. This spectacular coffee table book brings together the rich visual history of hip hop and its most coveted status symbol: the luxury watch.

From the streets of the Bronx to the international top charts – this book shows how watches from Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille, among others, grew into indispensable style icons in the hip hop scene. Discover the personal pieces of stars like Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Kanye West, and many others. Each watch tells a story of ambition, style, success, and self-expression.

What you can expect:

• More than 300 exclusive photos of custom-made, diamond-encrusted watches
• The fascinating relationship between rap culture and luxury, told by the editors of hiphop.de
• A unique look at how “ice” – slang for diamonds – reflects status, identity, and culture
• A heavy hitter with style: 3 kg of pure bling, finished with gold foil
• A must-have for collectors, hip hop fans, watch enthusiasts, and anyone with a passion for urban luxury

Whether it's 2Pac's iconic Rolex Datejust or the unique creations of Jacob & Co – Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches showcases the luxurious side of rap like you've never seen before. The photo book is more than a visual spectacle: it's a cultural time capsule of the most influential youth culture of the 21st century.


About the authors

Leon Schäfers (1997) grew up in the Ruhr area and earned his master's in journalism in Gelsenkirchen. He writes for Hiphop.de, among others, and works at the German broadcaster WDR. His passion for hip hop culture goes hand in hand with a fascination for luxury, from niche perfumes to high-end watches. Ironically, he wears a modest 40-euro Casio daily.

Jeanette Lang (1995) studied English language and philosophy at Saarland University, where her love for cultural research and hip hop originated. At creative agency Manera, she now combines her analytical insight with her passion for music. Her first article for Hiphop.de was about the most expensive watches of German rappers – this publication brings that full circle.

Tobias Kargoll, also known as “Toxik,” is one of Germany's best-known hip hop experts. He has interviewed stars like A$AP Rocky and Sido and is the editor-in-chief of Hiphop.de, the largest hip hop platform in the German-speaking region. In addition to his work as a media maker and cultural consultant, he teaches at the University of Düsseldorf. His previously published book Erfolgsformel Hip-Hop will be followed in 2025 by Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches, which he co-wrote with Schäfers and Lang.

• The undisputed watch coffee table book on the history and iconic watch models of Rolex, an absolute must-have.
• Now including the new anniversary models Submariner (70 years) and Daytona (60 years).
• Exclusive digital content available via the teNeues app, exclusively available with this photo book.
• Compiled by bestselling author and "watch guru" Gisbert L. Brunner.

For over 50 years, Gisbert L. Brunner has been passionately involved with wristwatches, pendulum clocks, and other precision timepieces. His expertise and love for mechanical watches grew during the challenging quartz crisis of the 1970s. As a recognized authority in the field of watches, he published his groundbreaking articles in renowned magazines such as GQ, ZEIT, and Chronos in the early 1980s.

With over twenty books to his name, Gisbert L. Brunner takes you into the fascinating world of watches, where tradition, craftsmanship, and timeless beauty converge. Discover his unique insights and find out why his work is beloved by watch enthusiasts around the world.

Ultimate Toys for Men, Handpicked Masterpieces and Contemporary Luxury
Authors: Bastian Sklarek & Bianca Öller

Ultimate Toys for Men is an impressive coffee table book that presents a carefully curated selection of everything that makes a modern man's heart beat faster. From handmade products and exclusive gadgets to rare collectibles and contemporary luxury, this book is an ode to craftsmanship, quality, and timeless style.

The brands and makers featured represent authenticity, provenance, and craft. Many of them build on decades – sometimes even centuries – of tradition, while simultaneously shaping the future of design, luxury, and lifestyle. Not by following trends, but by creating them.

The selection is personal and distinctive, yet always thoughtful. Icons from the world of watches, bespoke clothing, automotive culture, writing instruments, gastronomy, grooming, accessories, and design come together in a visually powerful whole. Ultimate Toys for Men is both a source of inspiration and a statement piece – perfect for lovers of luxury, style, and individuality.

What to expect

• An exclusive look at high-quality products, gadgets, and collectibles for the modern man
• Icons and craftsmanship from watchmaking, fashion, automotive, design, lifestyle, and gastronomy, among others
• Luxurious photography and high-quality execution that make this photo book a real eye-catcher
• An inspiring coffee table book for men with a sense of style, quality, and character

About the authors

Bastian Sklarek and Bianca Öller are experienced authors and curators in the field of design, luxury, and lifestyle. With a keen eye for quality and aesthetics, they select brands and objects that not only excel in form and function but also tell an authentic story. Their collaborative work is known for combining substantive depth, visual power, and a refined sense of contemporary luxury.

Rolex: Chasing The Crown of Time
Author: Patricia López

Chasing the Crown of Time is a new masterpiece in The Ultimate Collection — a 24 x 31 cm, 300-page book presented in a luxurious green velvet slipcase. This exceptional book pays tribute to the world's most iconic watch brand, tracing its journey from its pioneering beginnings to its legendary status today.

With striking visuals and thoughtful composition, it showcases the most extraordinary models, timeless designs, and the cultural icons who wore them. From sports and exploration to elegance and innovation, this book is a tribute to Rolex's enduring legacy.

About the Author

Patricia López is a young Spanish editor and designer with a distinct personal taste for aesthetics and contemporary design. Her work stands out for its fresh, refined approach, combining carefully curated content with elegant visual storytelling. With a growing presence in the world of architectural and interior design publications, she brings sensibility, precision, and a modern vision to every project she creates.

Yumi Katsura, The Fairy Godmother of Japanese Fashion

Discover the fascinating story of Yumi Katsura, the visionary designer who transformed modern bridal fashion in Japan. Although she is one of the world's best-selling luxury bridal designers, her name remains a hidden gem for many. In her homeland of Japan, however, she is revered as a cultural icon and pioneer in the fashion industry.

This beautiful coffee table book takes you through Katsura's extraordinary career, from her youth in post-war Tokyo to her impressive international successes. Her creations, including a diamond-encrusted wedding dress and a unique 'washi fashion' dress in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, bear witness to her boundless innovation and craftsmanship.

Author
Written by Cori Coppola, producer of the acclaimed fashion documentary House of Cardin, this richly illustrated biography offers a profound and inspiring portrait of a woman who conquered the fashion world with passion and courage.

Coffee table book Yumi Katsura, The Fairy Godmother of Japanese Fashion is an indispensable photo book for fashion critics, haute couture enthusiasts, and anyone inspired by fashion icons.