Fashion Books to learn about the history, business and behind the scenes of the fashion industry

Self-educating and ongoing learning are fundamental if you want to keep growing and building a successful career. There are so many resources out there today to keep learning every single day: online courses, podcasts and of course books. Knowing as much as you can about the fashion industry is fundamental whatever career path you decide to pursue in this industry. Especially if you didn’t attend a fashion school, you can learn a lot by yourself and become an industry expert from books. Although I recommend reading at least 20 minutes every single day, summer is that time of the year together with Christmas when people have more time to read. This is also a special summer and we will most likely travel less due to restrictions so why don’t you spend your free time with good fashion books? I’ve listed some great fashion books to read this summer wherever you’ll spend it.

Fashion Journalism: History, Theory, and Practice 

This is a book that I recommend to the students of the online course The Freelance Fashion Writer Boss as it’s all about the history of fashion journalism and writing for and about fashion.

The Battle of Versailles: The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History

I ordered this book two weeks ago when I wanted to learn more about the history of fashion, and I plan to read it this summer. The author Robin Givhan is one of my favorite fashion critics (she became the first fashion writer to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 2006) . She writes for The Washington Post and I suggest you if you are not yet, to read all her pieces and follow her to not miss any update. This book tells the story of when on November 28, 1973, the world’s social elite gathered at the Palace of Versailles for an international fashion show: the Americans at the Battle of Versailles- Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Anne Klein, Halston, and Stephen Burrows – showed their work against the five French designers considered the best in the world – Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel Ungaro, and Marc Bohan of Christian Dior. It was the moment when American fashion made history.

The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir

This brand new book is a memoir of André Leon Talley, the former editor at large of Vogue and one of the biggest names in the fashion industry, in fact, he appears in many fashion documentaries such as The September Issue, First Monday in May and others (you might have spotted him even in Sex and the City the movie when Carrie was doing her wedding photoshoot for Vogue!) . In the book, he discusses getting his start in New York City in the 1970’s, his relationship with Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and his experiences with racism in the fashion world.

The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider’s Guide to Careers in Fashion

If you want to learn about the different careers of the fashion industry, this book published by Teen Vogue some years ago is a good starting point. You’ll read interviews and stories from designers, stylists, photographers, editors who will reveal also their tips to make it in fashion.

Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano

I mention two books by Dana Thomas in this selection. This first one is a must-read to understand more about two figures who made the history of fashion: Alexander McQueen and John Galliano. Within twelve months, Alexander McQueen had committed suicide, and John Galliano had professionally imploded. How was fashion changed by their rise and fall? Spanning the 80s, 90s and noughties, Gods and Kings tells the story of these two charismatic figures and times of great change in the world of fashion, from London’s raucous art and club scene to the old-world glamour of Parisian couture, and reveals the machinations of this notoriously secretive industry.

The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever

Despite the title, this book is not about the end of fashion 😉 but the end of the era when “fashion” was defined by French designers whose clothes could be afforded only by elite. Wall Street Journal, reporter Teri Agins covers some major events of the fashion industry: Donna Karan fighting with financiers, Giorgio Armani who takes Hollywood, the rivalry between Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, and the commitment to haute couture that sent Isaac Mizrahi’s business spiraling.

Inside Vogue: My Diary Of Vogue’s 100th Year 

Alexandra Shulman is the former editor in chief of British Vogue. She has just published her latest book Clothes… and other things that matter, which is a memoir. I read them both and I think her previous book Inside Vogue is more interesting if you want to understand the behind the scenes of running a fashion magazine. This book is a diary in which Alexandra tells how she produced the 100th-anniversary issue of British Vogue, including having Kate Middleton on the cover.

Managing fashion and luxury companies

If you want to work in fashion, you need to understand the business behind this industry. I highly recommend reading this book. I read it for the first time 5 years ago and it’s still one of my favorites on the business side of fashion, in fact I recommend it inside the course Break into the fashion industry. It’s a great guide to understand things such as the fashion cycle, branding, industry segmentation, distribution, licensing and more.

Diana Vreeland: Bon Mots: Words of Wisdom from the Empress of Fashion

If you are a fan of the iconic editor Diana Vreeland, you are going to love this new illustrative book with her Bon Mots: quotes about fashion but not only.

Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion – and the Future of Clothes

I had the pleasure to interview the author Dana Thomas last year for an episode of The Glam Observer Podcast. This book talks about the impact of the fashion industry on the planet and most of all the working conditions of those who work in factories. Get ready to change your opinions on your favorite fast fashion brands. A must-read to understand the behind the scenes of fashion production.

I’ll Drink to That: New York’s Legendary Personal Shopper and Her Life in Style – With a Twist 

Betty Halbreich has worked at Bergdorf Goodman since 1976 and is recognized as the most popular personal shopper in New York. She 93 years old, still gorgeous and now holds the title of “Director of Solutions” at the department store. If you are curious about her career, living in New York, and how she got started at Bergdorf after she attempted suicide then read it!

The Fashion Switch: The New Rules of the Fashion Business

The author, Joanne Yulan Jong, worked in the fashion industry for 2 decades as a designer for brands such as Armani and Missoni in Milan and then in London. Now she runs a consulting agency helping fashion brands. In this book, she talks about how the fashion industry has changed in the digital era and what it takes to grow a fashion brand nowadays.

Fashion – Chris Breward

Another book about the history of fashion. The author covers everything from Haute Couture to the High Street, and developing fabric technology from silk to fleece. From Coco Chanel to Armani and Alexander McQueen, Breward explores fashion as a cultural phenomenon.  Breward examines the glamorous world of Vogue and advertising, the relationship between fashion and film, and fashion as a business.

What are your favorite fashion books? Comment below with your selection 🙂

You might also want to check:

5 Must-Read Books For Any Fashion Stylist

Summer 2019 Reading: Fashion & Career Books