For nearly nine thousand years, cats have walked alongside humanity, leaving an indelible pawprint on society and, in turn, the human heart. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as divine: Bastet, the goddess of fertility and childbirth, began as a lioness before transforming into a sleek feline form. Over the centuries, cats have been wrapped in folklore and superstition, feared and adored in equal measure, perhaps because they still carry the instincts and elegance of their big-cat relatives in every languid stretch and protracted claw. Gifted with impeccable balance, a flair for indifference, and indulgent sleeping habits, cats are beings of mystery that simultaneously want and don’t want, love and disdain, beg and ignore—a volatile nature that ailurophile Ernest Hemingway could appreciate. Through it all, they’ve maintained an aura of quiet confidence and independence.

From temple walls to the silver screen—think The Aristocats, Tom and Jerry, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and even the cat nestled in Vito Corleone’s lap in The Godfather—cats have secured their place as cultural icons. This book traces the animal’s omnipresence in art, fashion, and photography, celebrating a mystique that their four-legged counterparts can’t always claim. The figure of the cat has appeared on the Met Gala red carpet, on the Dior runway, at the Fontainebleau pool, and in the artwork of Paul Klee, to name a few examples. Even fashion royalty recognized the feline allure—Karl Lagerfeld was said to have dined with his beloved cat Choupette every evening. Every facet of these captivating creatures, from ancient worship to viral internet fame, proves that cats have always been—and will always be—the ultimate symbol of cool. With an introduction by Brett Martin and an original artwork by Nomoco (the artist behind Chic Dogs) on the cover, Chic Cats makes a compelling case: All cats—Persian or Bengal, calico or tabby, stray or best in breed—are inherently chic.