Elegantissima: The Design & Typography of Louise Fili

Elegantissima: The Design & Typography of Louise Fili by Louise Fili is a stunning collection of identity projects, branding, typography, packaging, and logo design. Every page is filled with elegant details and beautifully crafted work.

I first discovered Louise Fili while watching an online course called Expressive Lettering with Swashes and Flourishes. The instructor, Dan Forster, mentioned Fili as a major inspiration and shared examples from her work. I wasn’t familiar with her at the time (was I living under a rock?), so naturally I wanted to learn more.

I quickly ordered Elegantissima from the library and was immediately captivated by the depth, craftsmanship, and intricate detail throughout the book. It felt like pure visual inspiration—true eye candy for anyone who loves typography and design. My partner, Gary, also commented on the exceptional quality of the lettering and type design. When the library due date arrived, I bought a used copy online so I could continue studying and enjoying it.

What impressed me most was the range of styles throughout Fili’s career. The book is organized into sections including books, restaurants, packaging, identities, posters, and her work as a designer and author. Each project includes stories and commentary from Fili herself, giving readers insight into her creative process and inspiration.

One of my favorite sections was “Before and After: Makeovers, Large and Small,” which features thirteen remarkable redesign examples. Seeing how thoughtful typography and design can completely transform a brand or publication was especially inspiring.

Fili reflects on her years as Art Director at Pantheon Books, saying:

“I was very fortunate to start my job as the Art Director of Pantheon Books at a time when there was little innovation in the world of book jackets … few risks were being taken.”

Her innovative approach helped elevate the quality and creativity of book cover design. Today, book covers are one of the most important marketing tools for authors and publishers, and designers like Louise Fili helped raise the standard.

Fili is masterful across many visual styles, but I especially love her expressive script typography, flourishes, and vintage-inspired aesthetics. Much of her work has an “old world” European feel while still looking fresh and contemporary. Her command of typography, color, and composition is extraordinary.

There’s also an excellent article about Louise Fili on CreativePro, and a quick image search reveals even more examples of her beautiful work.

For anyone who appreciates typography, branding, packaging, or book design, Elegantissima is a delight and an endless source of inspiration.

See my other post about Louise Fili’s book on scripts and lettering. Louise Fili’s book about Scripts.