The countdown to Christmas has begun! Don’t you know what to read under your blanket while you are drinking hot chocolate? You have some fashion-enthusiast friends, and you don’t know what to get them? We got you covered!
Today, we would like to share some of our longtime favorites, as well as newly released fashion books.
The Fashion book 2025: Revised and updated edition
If you are looking for a rich fashion encyclopedia, then you may like this bestseller. The book covers almost 200 years of the entire fashion industry, showcasing more than 500 of fashion’s greatest icons who made a significant change, listed in alphabetical order.
The Ultimate Guide to Hermès Bags (Brand Bible)
The Ultimate Guide to Hermès Bags is a stylish, beautifully illustrated dive into the world of the iconic handbags created by Hermès. Written by Alexandra Fullerton, the book showcases the brand’s most coveted designs from the legendary Birkin bag and the timeless Kelly bag to classics like the equestrian-inspired Evelyne. Elegant and informative, this book is both a fascinating guide for luxury lovers and a chic statement piece for any coffee table.
Fashion’s Big Night Out: A MET Gala Lookbook
This book charts the history of the Met Gala from its inception in 1948 to the present day, exploring the themed exhibitions at the MET, breathtaking looks, and unforgettable moments that have shaped the Met Gala into the most fashionable night of the year it is today.
Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free
This captivating book uncovers the hidden history of Claire McCardell the groundbreaking designer who quietly transformed the way women dress. Long before modern sportswear became the norm, she introduced ideas that now feel essential: ballet flats, mix-and-match separates, wrap silhouettes, easy zippers, pockets, denim, and clothes made for real movement and real life. Filled with personal drama and industry intrigue, this book reveals how McCardell built a powerful career in an era when few women reached the top and how her revolutionary approach still shapes the way we dress today.
How To Build A Fashion Icon
The Hollywood stylist and self-proclaimed “image architect” Law Roach just released his new book “How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence From the World’s Only Image Architect.” It reads like a memoir and also includes fashion anecdotes from his styling days and self-help tips.
Vintage Icons of Fashion: From the Chanel 2.55 to the Rolex Oyster
This beautifully illustrated book is a celebration of the most collectible vintage treasures from the world’s top fashion houses. Perfect for anyone fascinated by luxury history, it spotlights iconic pieces from the 20th century through the early 2000s the designs that shaped style and still captivate collectors today. Discover what makes legends like the Birkin bag, the Chanel 2.55, and the Kelly bag so instantly recognizable. Explore the stories behind the timeless Hermès scarf, the elegant Chanel Première watch and the classic travel pieces from Louis Vuitton. A must-have for vintage lovers, collectors, and anyone who dreams of spotting (or owning!) these legendary designs.
Your Fashion [Dream] Plan
Think of this as your career manual to become the fashion industry professional you have always dreamed of. Turn your dreams into reality, with author Giada Graziano who has been featured in Forbes under 30, the CEO and founder of Glam Observer, a fashion career coach, and an educator! Who else would you trust for fashion career advice? Get your copy for you and your fashion friend (it’s the perfect gift idea) now.
Pop-Up Dior (Fashion Unfolded)
Fashion Unfolded: Pop-Up Dior is a magical pop-up journey into the world of Christian Dior and the legendary house of Dior. This beautifully crafted book brings iconic Dior moments to life in 3D from the revolutionary New Look to the timeless Lady Dior and the beloved Rouge Dior. Each page unfolds into intricate paper sculptures and stunning illustrations that highlight the elegance, romance, and creativity that shaped the brand’s heritage.
New York Fashion Week: The Designers, The Models, The Fashions Of The Bryant Park Era
Did you know that Bryant Park in NYC used to be the home of New York Fashion Week? This book focuses on this memorable chapter in NYFW history, and we highly recommend it.
Bigger Than Fashion: How “Streetwear” Conquered Culture
Bigger Than Fashion tells the vibrant story of how an underground American subculture grew into the global force we now call streetwear. Born from graffiti, hip-hop, surf, skate, and punk, this movement created its own rules long before the fashion world caught on. From the 1980s onward, brands like Stüssy, BAPE, Supreme, The Hundreds and Off-White transformed T-shirts, hoodies, and sneakers into cultural icons. What started in small creative circles eventually took over malls, boutiques, and even the luxury runways of Paris and Milan.
Anna: The Biography
Who doesn’t want to know more about the life of the most powerful woman in the fashion industry? This biography by Amy Odell (you can also listen to our interview with her in this podcast episode) about the American Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is based on extensive interviews conducted with her closest collaborators and friends. It is one of the best book about Anna Wintour. So if you want to know the secrets of her inspiring life and career, this is your source.
Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America
In Empire of the Elite, a The New York Times media correspondent pulls back the curtain on the rise of Condé Nast, the powerhouse behind iconic titles like Vogue, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, GQ, and Architectural Digest. Focusing on its glamorous heyday from the 1980s to the 2000s, the book digs into how the company led by billionaire owner Si Newhouse and a roster of star editors, writers, and photographers became America’s unofficial tastemaker.
Glossy: The Inside Story of Vogue
Vogue is the n#1 magazine every fashion enthusiast turns to to immerse themselves in the fashion industry. But have you ever wondered what’s the history behind this glossy publication you read every month? If the answer is yes, we invite you to read Glossy: The Inside Story of Vogue by Nina-Sophia Miralles which tells the story of the magazine from its launch in 1892 to the present day and how it evolved under the different editors. Whether you dream of working at Vogue or simply want to learn about your favorite magazine, you will enjoy this book.
Styled: Inside the World of Fashion Styling
In this guide, Jennifer Michalski-Bray takes readers behind the scenes of celebrity styling, editorial work, commercial shoots, and costume design, offering clear, practical advice for anyone who dreams of working in fashion.
Miss Dior: A Story of Courage and Couture
How much do you know about one of the greatest Christian Dior’s inspirations his sister Catherine Dior? In this book, acclaimed French author Justine Picardie unveils all the before little-known facts about the life of Catherine Dior who inspired the name of the iconic perfume, Miss Dior, and more.
The Battle of Versailles: The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History
November 28, 1973, was when American designers went head-to-head with the French fashion elite at the Palace of Versailles and changed fashion forever. This isn’t just about clothes; it’s about boldness, creativity, and breaking the rules. That night, American energy, fearless models, and groundbreaking diversity stole the spotlight, redefining style, power, and culture on a global scale. Reading it today means stepping into a moment that shaped fashion history and understanding why this story still matters.
The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever
The time when “fashion” was defined by French designers whose clothes could be afforded only by elite has ended. Now designers take their cues from mainstream consumers and creativity is channeled more into mass-marketing clothes than into designing them.
Paradise Now – The Extraordinary Life of Karl Lagerfeld
In this deliciously entertaining book, Middleton takes us inside the most exclusive rooms in the fashion industry, behind the catwalk, and into a world of brilliantly talented artists, stylish socialites, and famous stars some of the most elusive and unforgettable figures of fashion’s inner circle for the past four decades.
NERO: The Color of Dolce & Gabbana
In this moody, melodramatic black-and-white tome, Dolce & Gabbana campaigns and editorials featuring Monica Bellucci, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, and Madonna are showcased alongside portraits of local Italians shot by Sergio Larrain, Bruno Barbey, Ellen von Unwerth, Gian Paolo Barbieri, Mert&Marcus, Helmut Newton, Peter Lindberg, Paolo Roversi, and more.
“When Women Ran Fifth Avenue” by Julie Satow
The New York Times bestselling story of the golden age of luxury department stores and the fearless women who ran them.Picture it: the twentieth-century department store, a glamorous playground where anything was possible. Julie Satow pulls back the curtain on three visionary women who broke barriers, took risks, and paved the way for generations to come.
We hope that our list has helped you make a gift for a fashion enthusiast like you or maybe helped you choose what to read this holiday. This list is full of new entries and some must-haves if you want to dive into the world of fashion.
Let us know which book you’ll be reading this holiday🙂 And what is your favourite?
You can get your copy at your local library, Amazon, or read it online.
In addition, if you’d like to know more about the fashion industry, enroll in my free webinar where I’ll help you understand the world of fashion
Let Us know on our Instagram @Glamobserver
