Those of us who are ardent fashion fans will do literally anything to have a piece of that world of beauty, glamour, and luxury in our hands. For some of us, that means some serious splurging on designer garms; for others, that means living entirely in beauty. Maybe some will find jobs in the fashion industry, or those who don’t could find themselves devouring Vogue Magazine like it’s the Bible. For many though, nothing can beat the allure of a good fashion book. Often in the form of a memoir, or so beautiful they take pride of place on our coffee tables, here are five fashion books all devotees of the style cause should definitely get their hands on.
Inside Vogue: A Diary of my 100th Year by Alexandra Shulman
2016 was British Vogue’s centenary year, and boy was it a big one. Kate Middleton was the face of their June issue in her first cover shoot, the annual Vogue Festival and Gala Dinner made ripples across the fashion world. As a supplement, Alexandra Shulman, the Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, penned this brilliant account of her time thus far in this illustrious position. Written in diary form, it’s a fun and easy read, taking you through the ins and outs of making the magazine itself, as well as Shulman’s life. I’ve seen her lecture at Vogue Festival before, and I can attest that she is brilliant. Funny and insightful, Inside Vogue is such a unique way to see the world most fashion fans know and love.
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty by Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton
The first of our coffee table offerings, the book companion to the Victoria and Albert Museum’s sell-out, record-breaking exhibition is pretty spectacular. Page after page of sleek images of McQueen’s most lauded collections make for a truly beautiful book. Koda and Bolton outline aspects of McQueen’s aesthetic, such as his use of the bird motif, and his effort to empower women through his designs, all with handy illustrations and sketches by McQueen himself. Incredibly rich and interesting, there’s no way you won’t be immersed in the intricacies of this designer’s boundless mind.
It by Alexa Chung
Most of us grew up with famed It girl, Alexa Chung, and trust her as a true authority on style and living fabulously. Well her It is a guide to that and so much more. A mixture of cool advice for dressing, edgy pictures, and Miss Chung’s own take on love and life, It is a welcome companion that isn’t too academic, stuffy, distant, or pretentious. Fashion books can often feel like they emphasize the elitism that the industry is plagued with criticisms of, but It definitely doesn’t. It’s refreshing, accessible and cool. By the end you’ll definitely want Alexa’s life, although you probably do already.
#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
Fashion fanatics need their dose of business inspiration just as much as anyone else does, and #Girlboss is all that and more. Chronicling Sophia Amoruso’s rise from penniless high school drop-out to the founder of Nasty Gal, her own clothing empire, this is a book all about bossing circumstance and winning. #Girlboss shows us that fashion is an industry, and those with a good eye and willpower can truly rise to the top. Motivational to a T, this book is responsible for the Instagram hashtag which, if you search, you’ll find tons of powerful, strong women moved by Amoruso’s own cause.
How to be Parisian, Wherever You Are by Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas
Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world, and Parisian women are among the most chic, according to history’s stamp. This brilliant book sees four French women of substance: Caroline de Maigret – ex-model and former Chanel ambassador, Anne Berest – writer, Audrey Diwan – screenwriter and journalist – and Sophie Mas – movie producer – give their take on the myths that inform the French woman. From “The Art of Nakedness,” to “How To Ignore Fashion,” How to be Parisian sees this lesson taught by Paris’s most chic. This gem of a book contains lines like “Always be fuckable, even when standing in line for a baguette.” Read if you ever want to channel your inner badass beautifully.
