The Daily Gift: Fashionable books

Smoke & Mirrors by Karen Inderbitzen-Waller and Delphine Avril Planqueel; Four Eyes: New Zealand Street Style; Darkness of Noon by Derek Henderson and Kelly Thompson

Print isn't dead. The digital world continues to change the face of fashion, here and overseas, but this year several local creative types returned to the tradition of print, publishing tactile coffee table books to showcase their work - the perfect gift for those who appreciate creativity and beauty. Here are three worth investing in this year.

Photographer and long-time Kate Sylvester stylist Karen Inderbitzen-Waller released the art book Smoke & Mirrors with partner Delphine Avril Planqueel, to coincide with an exhibition of their work in May. Spanning 13 years of photography, the book - a limited run of 500 signed copies - features haunting images, from beautiful Parisian cemeteries to intimate photos of top model Zippora Seven on holiday with family.

* Smoke & Mirrors, published by David Bateman, $150. Available from Kate Sylvester stores, Unity Books and other bookstores.

The digital force that is Four Eyes - four stylish friends who photograph interestingly dressed people on the streets of Auckland and feature them on their blog - released a book of photos in November, with over 300 pages that capture an evolving New Zealand style and, they say, celebrates "difference and self-expression".

* Four Eyes - New Zealand Street Style, published by Beatnik, $84.99. Available from good bookstores and the Beatnik store, 11 New North Rd, Eden Terrace.

Fans of photographer Derek Henderson's distinctive work will appreciate Darkness of Noon, a new project from the New Zealander released earlier this year. A monograph of photographic nude portraits of the model Zippora Seven (she's a muse to many; also featuring in Smoke & Mirrors), his whimsical photos are interpreted in illustrative form by fellow New Zealander, fashion illustrator and photographer Kelly Thompson.

* Darkness of Noon, available from Ruby, Superette and Unity Books. Signed copies are available at Simon James Concept Store for $80.

- VIVA