Unfolded presents paper as a high quality, highly adaptable material. Covered are projects by Issey Miyaki and bags by Stefan Diez. Garments and luggage are just two examples of where paper has been explored as a technical and ecological option for contemporary design. The first half of Unfolded focuses directly on projects like these and more. In the second portion there is a definitive reference section giving all the specs and sourcing information required to go forward on ones own paper trail. (via Dezeen).

Unfolded is published by Birkhauser.

Founded in 1810, Heal’s has become a much loved furnishings store in Britain. Celebrating their bicentennial, this book collects the company history and archival material. The printing follows the shops offerings. For example, the end papers feature Heal’s mattress ticking. (via Retro to Go).

The use of hair in artistic production is nothing new. Mourning art, for example, has a long tradition of composing memorial pieces from hair. Lovers once produced keepsake pieces. Hair’em Scare’em, a new book from Gestalten, takes things further by exploring the inventive possibility of hair in contemporary art and design. Richly illustrated, the book presents all manner of hair as art – from magnificent beards to jewelry.

Released this month in Europe and Asia. American readers can expect to see it on shelves in November. The volume is edited by R. Klanten, S. Emman, and M. Huebner.

Select images from Hair’em Scare’em after the jump.

A comprehensive look at contemporary Jewish art and design, Reinventing Ritual opens the story of contemporary artists and designers responding to traditional culture. The author, Daniel Blasco, is the Henry J. Leir Assistant Curator at the Jewish Museum. He surveys the new material with an eye to the influence of feminism, multiculturalism and new media.

The richly illustrated book is out now from Yale University Press.

Released today, Bicycle Diaries takes David Byrne on a two wheeled adventure to some of the world’s most vibrant cities. Along the way the artist, designer and musician provides commentary on the art, architecture, and culture of the places he peddles through. An avid cyclist, Byrne views the bicycle as one of the best methods of connecting with the built environment. (via Inhabitat).

The third book by Jo Waterhouse, Art By Tattooists: Beyond Flash, brings to the fore the art of tattooists off the skin. Highlighting 26 artists from around the world and a number of different mediums, Waterhouse offers new insight into the artistic life of the tattooist outside the studio. Included is a forward by James Lee Denning and cover art by Gillian Goldstein.

Art by Tattooists is published by Laurence King Publisher.

New York Lawyer and modern tattoo expert Marissa Kakoulas’ new book Black Tattoo Art lands on bookstore shelves today. While the book covers the origins tribal tattooing and its initial adaptation in Western hands (the very able hands of Leo Zulueta, I might add), the strength of the study comes in connecting the tribal to more abstract expressions of black tattoo art – for example dot work. In this effort, Kakoulas does a fine job connecting tattoo styles without minimizing their distinctiveness. A valuable edition to both art and tattoo enthusiasts book collections.

For more on Black Tattoo Art, read Karen Day’s review on Cool Hunting.

Note: For those interested the book will also be published in German.

In American Fashion Menswear, fashion historian Robert E. Bryan travels from Levi’s through Zoot Suits to the present exploring the evolution of American fashion. The topic, undoubtedly, is rich. And, Bryan’s assertion that shifts in fashion are deeply rooted in American history are not unfounded. Additionally, Bryan’s effort celebrates the quintessentially American themes that are emulated in fashion the world over.

The book is a collaborative publication by the Council of Fashion Designers Association and Assouline Books.

As part of Taschen’s 25th anniversary, the publisher is set to release a special edition of Leonardo da Vinci a comprehensive view of the artists life. The book is conceived in three parts, each adding a deeper layer to the story. In part one, da Vinci’s life and work are explored in depth over 10 chapters. Part two offers a full catalogue raisonne of painting, and finally part three provides an extensive view of the artists drawings.

The books is written by da Vinci expert Johannes Nathan and Frank Zoeller, an expert in art theory.

Page views follow.

Sally Stein’s new book on photographer John Gutmann contextualizes the German-born artists work through his archives, collections, and papers. Being an outsider (a Jew in Nazi Germany) informed Gutmann’s sympathetic reaction and depiction of American minority groups. The book serves to shed light on a artist of great distinction and establish his position in the history of American photography.

Published by Yale University Press.