The world of fashion may sometimes feel dizzyingly fast with new information released every other second. For those who want to calm down for a minute or two, grab a book off this list for our recommendation of the best books the fashion industry has to offer, and immerse yourself in a world of glamour from the comfort of your own home.
The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir by André Leon Talley
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Style icon. Fashion editor. Trailblazer. These are just a few of the many titles that describe the legendary figure that is André Leon Talley, best known for his role as Vogue’s fashion news director in the 1980s. Although he has passed away, his legacy lives on, from tributes from friends and his ideas immortalised within these pages . The Chiffon Trenches encapsulates what it is like to work in the alluring yet cutthroat industry that is fashion, and is filled with raw anecdotes and candid confessions. With this book, we receive the pleasure of delving deep into his inner consciousness, and experience through his eyes the past 50 years of fashion journalism.
Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre by Dana Thomas
Have you ever wondered how fashion giants such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel came to be? Many came from humble beginnings as small, family-owned businesses, yet they have survived many a hardship. Once exclusive shops that catered only to the wealthy and prestigious in Europe, these brands have since expanded their businesses to global economic powerhouses seen in every major city. In her riveting book, Dana Thomas details just how these fashion houses withstood the test of time to become the pinnacles of fashion that we know and love today.
Battle of Versailles by Robin Givhan
Five American designers faced off their French counterparts in the fall of 1973 at an international fashion show, an event that famously became known as the Battle of Versailles. Nobody had expected America’s win—French couture has long been a cornerstone of high fashion, acting as a trendsetter for other designers to follow. Pulitzer Prize winner Robin Givhan provides a well-researched account of this historical event, detailing the moment American fashion stepped foot onto the global stage.
D.V. by Diana Vreeland
Before Anna Wintour, there was Grace Mirabella, and preceding her, Diana Vreeland. But what makes her story fascinating was the bizarrely eventful episodes in her life, described in her uniquely whimsical and fast-paced tone that will keep you on your toes for the entire read. Her larger-than-life character bursts through the pages with dramatic retellings, showing us what it was like to have lived—and thrived—in the Golden Age of fashion.
Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon by Iris Apfel
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In the sea of millennials and Gen Z’s dancing away on TikTok and Instagram, Iris Apfel stands out with her shocking white hair, brightly coloured glasses, and witty candour. But the 101-year-old only recently became a social media influencer with a million followers—her identities include businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon. In her book Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon, she displays her accumulation of musings, observations, and notes on fashion and style. So, sit back and enjoy the literary show presented by one of the most dynamic personalities within the industry!
Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes by Dana Thomas
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Our society’s relationship with clothes has always been of more, more, and more, but fashion and culture journalist Dana Thomas warns us against ruthless and mindless consumption. This investigative work takes us across the world to conversations with ambitious designers and companies whose innovations seek to provide a more sustainable alternatives to producing and consuming fashion. This book is an urgent wake-up call for fashion aficionados and designers alike about the environmental harms of mass-produced fashion.
Vivienne Westwood by Vivienne Westwood and Ian Kelly
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All rise for the queen of punk. Though many mourn her abrupt passing, Dame Vivienne Westwood will forever live in our hearts—as well as in her memoir. The fashion designer, activist, and co-creator of punk reveals the wildly extravagant events that shaped her illustrious career. Co-authored by award-winning biographer Ian Kelly, this page-turner reveals the emergence of punk in 1970s Britain, and its consequent spread to fashion lovers of all ages.
Punk: Chaos to Couture by Andrew Bolton
Punk came barrelling into the high fashion world in the 1970s, turning the entire fashion industry on its head. It was something no one had ever seen before. Spearheaded by Vivienne Westwood, this style has disrupted the way we dress, influencing everything from haute couture to mainstream trends. For a more comprehensive work on punk, look no further than Punk: Chaos to Couture, where any fan of punk can read about where this style originated, and how international fashion designers have since incorporated it into their collections.
Dress [with] Sense by Christina Dean, Hannah Lane and Sofia Tarneberg
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How do we sustainably produce and consume clothes? Published by Hong Kong-based environmental NGO Redress, the guide offers advice from inspirational figures that champion the sustainability movement on ways we can reduce our carbon footprint. In this book, you can find practical tips on how to cultivate a sustainable wardrobe every step of the way, from buying, wearing, caring, and disposing–all the while dressed in style.
Editor
Mina ChanCredit
Lead image: Paul Morigi via Getty Images
