A number of new books either encourage us to see the beauty in seemingly mundane designs or to decorate our houses free of social constraint, writes Kya deLongchamps.

An exhibition celebrating 35 years of fashion by Azzedine Alaïa, couture’s rebellious outsider, opened at London’s Design Museum this week. Rachel Marie Walsh discovers the stories behind the designs on a guided tour from curator Mark Wilson.

Chris Martin and Bono performed on piano together to help raise money for charity.