A quick scroll through Instagram may point you to the latest trends and noteworthy brands, but to get a deeper insight into fashion’s rich history, it’s best to read a book on the subject. Many fashion books feature beautiful imagery, but they also take you into the world of your favorite designers, help you on your personal style journey, or touch upon a small part of the industry you most enjoy. (If you have a niche, there’s probably a book about it.) This year, there were a ton of industry-related releases, like Sunita Kumar Nair’s homage to Carolyn Bassett-Kennedy and Glossy’s classic style, which reads like a crime novel and explains how the beauty business works and the rise of Emily Weiss’s Glossier.
You might be overwhelmed by the number of books on offer, but to make the process a little easier, we’ve selected the best books that are not only recently published, but are also essential for gaining a deeper understanding of current fashion (and beauty). With the holidays fast approaching, the books below would make great gifts for the fashion and beauty lovers on your list (and not just gathering dust on your coffee table or bookshelf).
Sunita Kumar Nehru
CBK: Carolyn Bassett Kennedy: A Life in Fashion Hardcover
When it comes to classic, effortless style, there’s no denying that Carolyn Bassett Kennedy was an icon: We can’t help but imagine her tasteful ensembles to recreate, and anecdotes from celebrities like Tory Burch, Samira Nasr, and Wes Gordon give us a deeper understanding of her lasting impact.
Aslin
40 Years of American Style Coffee Table Books
This is one coffee table book that you and your guests are sure to leaf through. It’s no secret that J.Crew has skyrocketed in popularity in the last year, but the brand’s influence spans decades. This book traces the brand’s rise to the pinnacle of American sportswear.
Allison Bornstein
Dress well
While Allison Bornstein’s videos and popular “Three Word Method” have helped many transform their personal style, “Wear It Well” takes the joy out of getting dressed. If you’re in a wardrobe rut or want to get the most out of your clothes in the new year, this is the book for you.
When Emily Weiss launched Glossier after her successful beauty blog, there was a surge in having the “millennial pink” packaging in everyone’s makeup bag. This book delves into how the startup gained a cult following and became one of the most disruptive brands in the beauty industry.
Oxford button-down shirts, hand-sewn loafers, and three-button jackets are all wardrobe staples and sophisticated style pieces, but Black Ivy explores how the classic “Ivy look” was redefined by stylish men fighting for racial equality and civil rights, and how that transformation has influenced menswear today.
It’s no secret that Anna Wintour is the editor-in-chief of American Vogue (a position she’s held since 1988), but Amy O’Dell’s biography of Wintour tells the story of how she became one of the most influential figures in fashion media. Featuring in-depth interviews with friends, collaborators, and media figures, the book not only tells Wintour’s story, but also the hierarchy of the fashion industry and Condé Nast.
Martin Holtz
Sneaker Freaker
If you have a shelf full of sneakers and are forever waiting for the next shoe you want to release, this book is sure to pique your interest. Looking back over 100 years of sneaker history, you’ll dig deep into the evolution of brands like Nike, Converse, and Adidas, and discover how each new sneaker creates a new level of buzz with every release.
Alexandre Samson
Givenchy: Complete Collection (Catwalk)
If you already have the Prada or Chanel fashion show books, check out this new book: Givenchy: Complete Collection (Fashion Show) celebrates the history of Givenchy and features designs by Hubert de Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, and Matthew M. Williams.
Virgil Abloh and Nike first created a collection together in 2016, and this book documents how the two pooled ideas. It showcases Abloh’s use of lettering, ironic labels and sculptural techniques, while also exploring collaborations in sneaker culture and the history of fashion and design.
Robin Muir
Vogue Crown Hardcover
If you’ve already binge-watched the first part of season 6 of The Crown on Netflix, this book might sate you until the next part is released. The Crown in Vogue is a book that pays tribute to the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth and her family. From start to finish, you’ll see the royal family through the lens of British Vogue.
Mark Happel
New York City Ballet: Choreography and Couture Hardcover
New York City Ballet celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and has collaborated with notable designers since its inception, most recent collaborations include Wes Gordon and Christopher John Rogers for Carolina Herrera. New York City Ballet Choreography & Couture showcases over 30 designers, their ballet creations, and how their designs are adapted for dancers’ performances.
Andre Leon Talley
Chiffon Trench: A Memoir
André Leon Talley is a name no one will forget, and his memoir, “The Chiffon Trenches,” is a candid portrayal of his career and how he survived in the industry while facing racism, rumors, and the general challenges of the cutthroat fashion industry.
Maggie Bullock
Kingdom of Preparation
As we all watched J.Crew’s return to the top of the industry this year, many wondered why the brand that was once the pinnacle of American fashion had flown out of the spotlight for so long. Fashion journalist Maggie Block explains how J.Crew built a legacy of preppy style before suffering an unfortunate “retail collapse.”
Dr. Renee Engel
Beauty Disease
While we’d like to think that the industry has made great strides in setting more realistic beauty standards, the harsh reality is that it still impacts the mental and physical health of girls and women. Many of them know they need to fight against beauty-obsessed culture, but don’t know where to start. Beauty Sick offers practical solutions to help those struggling embrace their whole selves and change their lives, inspiring them to redefine what “beauty” means, away from those who seek to belittle and manipulate them.
Robin Givhan
Battle of Versailles
In 1973, five top American designers faced off against five top French designers in front of a packed audience that included Princess Grace of Monaco, the Duchess of Windsor, Paloma Picasso and Andy Warhol. That night changed fashion history. Journalist Robin Givhan has written a vivid, meticulously researched account of the event.
Veronique Hyland
Dress code
If you’re looking for a broader view of the fashion industry as a whole, “Dress Code” is a collection of essays covering everything from the ever-popular French archetype to what messages our clothes send to those around us.
Edward Enninful
Visible Man
Edward Enninful’s British Vogue is unlike anything we’ve seen before. From constantly championing designers and photographers of color to putting emergency workers and activists on the cover, Enninful hopes only to change the way we view the exclusionary industry that is fashion.
Patricia Field
Putt in the City
Patricia Field’s memoir is a delight for anyone wanting to learn more about Carrie Bradshaw’s outfits, as it details her time as costume designer for Sex and the City, the beginnings of her fashion career running a shop in downtown New York City, and her more recent work designing the much talked about costumes for Emily in Paris.
