Mum's Not Cooking - She's Reading. Shh!

Valentino: Themes & Variations

By Pamela Golbin

You can't go wrong with a Rizzoli coffee table book. And this ravishing 300-page hardcover is the perfect gift for mums who love haute couture, particularly Valentino's ultra-feminine style. Published in association with a Musee des Arts Decoratifs exhibition, the book features the Italian designer's most iconic and stunning creations in over 40 years. It also picks out the recurring ideas in his stylebook - such as his love of volume, geometry and pleats. As a bonus, many dresses have Valentino himself commenting on them - a rare word from a man who's famously private.