Looking for the perfect books to read this summer? Whether you’re relaxing by the beach, taking a break between fashion projects, or simply soaking up inspiration under the sun, there’s nothing like getting lost in a great read.
I’ve rounded up a list of fashion-forward, career-inspiring, and just-for-fun books that are perfect to pack in your tote this season. These will be your little companions to spark new ideas, help you dream bigger, or simply keep you company while sipping an iced matcha.
So grab your sunnies, your favorite notebook (because you know you’ll want to jot down ideas), and let’s dive into the ultimate must-reading fashion books list for your summer for every fashion dreamer.
And if that’s not enough for you, you can go and see the list of books for summer 2024 that we have prepared for you last year. Enjoy it!
Must-Read Fashion Books for Your Summer Holiday
Karl Lagerfeld: A Fashion History
An extraordinary biography of Karl Lagerfeld, based upon a series of rare, powerful, and emotional interviews—the real story, full of inside details, that repeatedly surprises and enlightens.
Make It Ours: Crashing the Gates of Culture with Virgil Abloh
When Virgil Abloh was named head of menswear at Louis Vuitton in 2018, the fashion world was stunned. He made history as the first Black artistic director in the brand’s 164 years. But as Pulitzer Prize-winning culture critic Robin Givhan shows, Abloh’s story is about more than just his personal rise — it’s a powerful reflection of something much bigger.
Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon
This is the story of how Victoria’s Secret went from a small chain of boutiques to a retail giant, pulling in over $8 billion a year at its peak. Along the way, it shaped — and often distorted — beauty standards for generations of American women. But eventually, the brand’s powerful hold on the fashion world began to fade.
The Creative Entrepreneur: A Guide to Building a Successful Creative Business from Industry Titans
Discover the secrets to building a thriving creative business and unleashing your full creative potential with The Creative Entrepreneur. Learn from ten of the world’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, including Grammy winner Nile Rodgers and Emmy-winning producer Andy Harries (The Crown). They share their stories, actionable advice, and recommendations to help you succeed in business and fuel your life potential.
From the Rez to the Runway: Forging My Path in Fashion
He was first introduced to style and design through his culture’s traditional Ojibwe powwow regalia—ribbon skirts, beaded belts, elaborate headdresses. But as a teenager, he became transfixed by the high-fashion designs and runway shows that he saw on Fashion Television and in the pages of Vogue.
How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence from the World’s Only Image Architect
Law Roach is the mastermind behind looks that have broken the Internet time and again. From Zendaya at the Met Gala to Anya Taylor-Joy at the Golden Globes. From Lewis Hamilton’s iconic streetwear to Céline Dion’s style renaissance. Nobody knows better than Law how to turn an outfit into a moment of fashion history.
British Vogue: The Biography of an Icon by Julie Summers
British Vogue has always been far more than just a fashion magazine. For more than a century it has defined the tastes and style of successive generations, playing a leading role in the continuing story of Britain’s national identity. From wartime austerity to the swinging sixties. It is a chronicle of arts, politics, health, travel and much more in addition to fashion. Now, for the very first time, the fascinating history of British Vogue is told in full.
Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano
Within twelve months, Alexander McQueen had committed suicide, and John Galliano had professionally imploded. Who was to blame? And 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. Reveals the machinations of this notoriously secretive industry.
Fashion Journalism: History, Theory, and Practice
Fashion is all around us, and so too is fashion journalism. Discussions of fashion proliferate in an ever-increasing range of media, from newspapers and magazines to tweets and TV programs. Fashion Journalism: History, Theory and Practice is an accessible, comprehensive guide to writing about fashion in any form, whether in style blogging, magazine interviews, news reportage or art reviews.
The World She Edited: Katharine S. White at the New Yorker
A lively and intimate biography of trailblazing and era-defining New Yorker editor Katharine S. White, who helped build the magazine’s prestigious legacy and transform the 20th century literary landscape for women.
VISUAL MERCHANDISING AND MARKETING FOR FASHION: A priceless summary of 20 years of expertise in setups and sales performance enhancement
Handcrafted by Monica Minervini, this comprehensive manual merges theory and practice in visual merchandising and fashion marketing. Perfect for store owners, visual merchandisers, fashion marketers, and retail managers.
Your Fashion Dream Plan
Of course, even though it’s not new, this must-reading fashion books list for your summer wouldn’t be complete without my book 😀 Your Fashion Dream Plan.
Motivational yet practical, in this book I shared hands-on advice, clear strategies, and inspiring insights. More than just a book, it’s a workbook designed to guide you step by step in building your fashion career.
Let us know which book of this must-reading fashion books list for your summer you’ll be reading this summer 🙂 You can get your copy at your local library, Amazon, or read it online. Happy Holidays from glam observer!
