When we think of fashion books, we tend to picture a setting more than a genre: We imagine an impeccable stack of thick, untouched volumes sitting atop a non-Ikea coffee table. And while this does comprise a certain type of fashion book, the category expands far beyond our apartment goals. Fashion books are about way more than fashion in a straightforward sense. They can shape a more abstract sense of style, and come in many different forms: a compelling narrative, maybe; a series of photographs, or even a poem. They can celebrate a designer's achievements, explain the beauty of decluttering, and provide inspiration for success. They can highlight clothes — but they can also focus on art, architecture, philosophy, and more — and how they relate to the process of formulating one's personal style.
So, who better to ask than fashion tastemakers to weigh in on the tomes that helped define what fashion means to them? Their answers may surprise you. Ahead, you'll see a vast range of genres represented — from museum retrospectives to lighthearted memoirs — but they each have lit someone's creative fuse. See if something doesn't call to
Pari Ehsan, blogger, Pari Dust
"A visual feast and endless resource for exotic color combinations and composition, Azuma is a master of the art of floral arrangements. Nature and the organic beauty of flowers is something I always look to for a fresh perspective. The way Azuma captures and presents their allure is entirely enchanting."
Encyclopedia of Flowers II by Makoto Azuma, $41, available at Amazon.
Paula Cademartori, founder and creative director, Paula Cademartori
"[Diana Vreeland] was an unexpected woman, and every woman should know her life and learn something from it."
Diana Vreeland The Modern Woman: The Bazaar Years, 1936-1962 by Alexander Vreeland, $60, available at Rizzoli.
Nancy Zhang, VP and COO, Otte
"In my early years in New York City I was a banker, and most of my reading was the WSJ, economics papers, Harvard Business Review, etc. I am really not much of a poet or an artist, but I really craved to be in fashion, in a creative industry with beautiful minds who can think outside of gray boxes and feel. Fashion, in my mind, comes from feelings, subtle moods, lasting thoughts... I had none of those things at the time, and reading the poetry of Sylvia Plath helped me get in touch with feelings of lust, cravings for love, loneliness, insomnia, and whatever else a young twentysomething woman 'just trying to figure life in NYC' would feel on any given day."
The Collected Poems by Sylvia Plath, $14.66, available at Amazon.
Poppy Lissiman, designer, Poppy Lissiman
"The first is Making a Splash: Graphics That Flow. I rebranded my business early last year when I relaunched my label as an accessories e-commerce store. I drew a lot of inspiration from this book, as it had so many interesting and original ideas for graphics, branding, typefaces, presentation, and packaging of products.
"The second is Fashionary, which is a fashion designer’s sketch book; almost like a Moleskine but the information packed into the first chunk of the book is so helpful (especially the standard sizing, fabric compositions, etc.). It's definitely a must for any fashion illustrator or designer. I use mine every day, I usually go through about two of these books a year, and I love looking back on my previous ones."
Making A Splash: Graphics that Flow, $35.95 $27.95, available at viction:ary; Fashionary Women's A4, $29.90, available at Fashionary.
Rachael Wang, stylist and creative director
"I'd say The Feminine Mystique has probably been the single most influential piece of literature on my career and in ways I couldn't possibly begin to articulate. For starters, [Betty] Friedan was the first to illuminate to me the connection between a person's attire and how she is perceived. Like it or not, this is the true power of fashion."
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, $17.95, available at W.W. Norton & Company.
Paula Maldonado, founder, Dauntless Clothing
"How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie and #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso helped me acquire the ability to express my ideas and create fundamental relationships that allowed my company, Dauntless Clothing, to grow and become what it is today. These books also shaped who I am by reminding me of the importance of my fashion style. Not to mention that the fashion industry is a tough one to handle, so these books definitely helped me to be taken seriously."
How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie, $27, available at Simon & Schuster; #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso, $16, available at Penguin.
Rachel Antonoff, fashion designer, Rachel Antonoff
"The Sunlit Night by Rebecca Dinerstein: This book conjures the most stunning imagery and is sad and hopeful all at once.
"Everything Is Perfect When You're a Liar by Kelly Oxford: This made me scream laugh on a plane, which is really all you can ask for in this life."
The Sunlit Night by Rebecca Dinerstein, $17.77, available at Amazon; Everything Is Perfect When You're A Liar by Kelly Oxford, $13.20, available at Amazon.
Jonathan Simkhai, designer, Jonathan Simkhai
"This book has taught me so many things, especially the importance of constantly moving forward, invention, and letting things go. It really spoke to me as a designer and a creator.
“'Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back...that's part of what it means to be alive. But inside our heads — at least that's where I imagine it — there's a little room where we store those memories. A room like the stacks in this library. And to understand the workings of our own heart we have to keep on making new reference cards. We have to dust things off every once in awhile, let in fresh air, change the water in the flower vases. In other words, you'll live forever in your own private library.'"
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami, $11.28, available at Amazon.
Rajni Jacques, fashion editor at large, Racked, and consulting creative director
"Haiti is a very beautiful and simple place. The people have so much strength and creativity — all while coping with the very harsh obstacles of life there. It may seem a bit odd to relate this to fashion and how this has shaped my sense of style as well as shaped me, but oddly my culture, my people, and this black-and-white photo book have.
"I'm very simple in the way I approach fashion. For me, it's not necessarily about what I am wearing, because I don't want that to be the only thing that leaves a lasting impression. My canvas usually includes the colors white, gray, and blue (jeans are always in the picture). What it is about, for me, is what I am projecting, that's how I want people to remember me by. I want them to remember how I made them feel when I was around them.
"When you encounter a person [in Haiti], for the most part, they are very happy to be alive, despite their circumstances. They always see that something good will come — the glass is always half full. That's the spirit of the people, and that's how I approach every facet of my life, from work to love. There is always a silver lining. From the little girl and boy in their school uniforms, to the little girl walking in the rubble made from the earthquake wearing a bathing suit eating a bon bon and smiling, to a picture of little boy rolling a wheel dressed in my favorite uniform of jeans and a tee, this book is visual inspiration for me. I take this book off my shelf and look at it probably every two months, just to refresh my memory. And I've also gotten some fashion inspiration from this book. Remember that little boy I mentioned rolling the wheel wearing a pair of jeans and a tee? I've taken that photo to my tailor to get a pair of jeans cut exactly like his. This book is a combination of smiles and frowns all at once, and it has given inspiration for life."
Haiti: Through the Eye of Stefano Guindani by Stefano Guindani, $29, available at Amazon.
Tanya Taylor, fashion designer, Tanya Taylor
"The female protagonist in Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is fearless with a strong sense of ambition and opinion. Not only do I admire those qualities, but I design for a woman like that."
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, $9.04, available at Amazon.
Sarah Slutsky, stylist and director of brands, Cinematique
"My colleague purchased a book for me not too long ago that we have been determined to read out loud to each other at the start of each day. It's called Women in Clothes by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits, Leanne Shapton, and 639 others. So far, the tone has been really relatable and uplifting! But, since I just started it, I have yet to see how it will influence my style.
"But also, in the past, after reading Champagne Supernovas, I felt like pulling all my combat boots and slip dresses back out of my closet."
Women in Clothes by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits, Leanne Shapton, and 639 others, $19.48, available at Amazon; Champagne Supernovas: Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, and the '90s Renegades Who Remade Fashion by Maureen Callahan, $16.99, available at Simon & Schuster.
Ryan Lobo & Ramon Martin, fashion designers, Tome
"The follow-up to the definitive Confessions of a Pretty Lady, this book is brash, sexy, funny, and gossipy, but also sweet and tender, and at times brutally real. It stand the test of time."
Love, Love, and Love by Sandra Bernhard, $9.37, available at Amazon.
Margaret Zhang, blogger, Shine by Three
"Creatively speaking, The Princess Bride was probably the most influential novel I read growing up. I first read it when I was 8, then again when I was 13, 15, and 18. I was so fascinated by [William] Goldman’s ability to conjure vivid scenes and character traits with indirect descriptions — it definitely made me appreciate the impact of storytelling as I moved into my photography and styling work, rather than just literally shooting what’s in front of you."
The Princess Bride by William Goldman, $12.75, available at Amazon.
Celia Smith, fashion editor and founder, needle+thræd
"At my first real job at a magazine as a fashion and beauty assistant, my boss at the time had a very quirky, out-of-the-box approach to fashion, which I loved. She would draw inspiration from fashion and art history, and introduced me to Gustav Klimt for the first time by bringing this coffee table book to work, and I was enamored. I realized for the first time how art and fashion could be so intimately connected, and became aware of his influence and the impact of other artists on the fashion industry. Seeking inspiration in art and culture is now very important in the work I produce. While at the Taschen book store this summer, I picked up my own copy of his work — Gustav Klimt: The Complete Paintings."
Gustav Klimt: The Complete Paintings by Tobias Natter, $138.49, available at Amazon.
Roberta Benteler, founder, Avenue 32
“Through her lens, Linda [McCartney] gives a real and spontaneous look into this iconic era and really manages to capture the 'live for the moment' spirit of that decade and its heroes with their strong sense of style. Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and co. have been my style icons ever since.”
Linda McCartney's Sixties: Portrait of an Era by Linda McCartney, $1.99, available at Barnes & Noble.
Jane Aldridge, blogger, Sea of Shoes
"I am a vintage fanatic...here are some books by two of my favorite designers:
"1. It's All About the Dress by Vicky Tiel: Vicky Tiel is a hugely underrated designer who I've been collecting for a few years now. Her reputation for being larger-than-life is absolutely proved in this autobiography. Scandalous and dishy don't even begin to cover it. She spills the most intimate secrets of Kim Novak, Elizabeth Taylor, Ursula Andress, and others. This is definitely a guilty pleasure — devour poolside for a delicious holiday read!
"2. Women I Have Dressed (and Undressed!) by Arnold Scaasi: Reading this will make you fall in love with Scaasi the same way that all of his clients did. He was really an adorable man, and that's what comes through in his autobiography. The way he speaks about his friendships is so touching. It's a fascinating glimpse into an era of glamour and fashion that has not existed for a very long time, so if you love fashion history, it is a must-read!"
It's All About The Dress by Vicky Tiel, $8.97, available at Amazon; Women I Have Dressed (and Undressed!) by Arnold Scaasi, $19.95, available at Simon & Schuster.
Tyler Haney, founder and CEO, Outdoor Voices
"Swimming Studies is a beautiful meditation on swimming, and Leanne emphasizes the form and beauty of the activity beyond the activity itself. This book is a big source of inspiration for Outdoor Voices, and something I reference a lot."
Swimming Studies by Leanne Shapton, $22.14, available at Amazon.
Rie Yamagata, designer, Rhié
"Birne Helene by Holger Niehaus: He has a beautiful poetic sense of color and form by way of abstraction that I've always gravitated towards."
Birne Helene by Holger Niehaus, $37.30, available at Van Zoetendaal.
Ulla Johnson, designer, Ulla Johnson
“This book is so groovy and inspiring — fun and festive and carefree, which is really how I want to feel during the holidays"
Native Funk & Flash: An Emerging Folk Art Alexandra Jacopetti, $28.97, available at Amazon.
Kal Vepuri, co-founder, The Arrivals
"Architecture of the Sun: Los Angeles Modernism 1900-1970 — This book will never leave my coffee table. Design, beauty, structure, and photography illustrated the stories of the greats in architecture: Lautner, Neutra, Schindler, and FLW, to name a few."
Architecture of the Sun: Los Angeles Modernism 1900-1970 by Thomas S. Hines, $95, available at Rizzoli.
Morgan Curtis, designer, Morgan Lane
"The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright has been one of my favorite books since I was a young girl. Its mischievous behavior inspired me to create my brand muse, a doll named Lanie. Lanie represents the naughty playfulness that belongs to the Morgan Lane girl."
The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright, $22.99, available at Houghton Mifflin Harcout.
Chris Benz, creative director, Bill Blass
"I remember discovering this book as a kid and really treating it like my bible — so much of my carefree, casual aesthetic was shaped by this book. Who doesn’t love an old beater Mercedes or a handknit threadbare sweater?"
The Official Preppy Handbook by Lisa Birnbach, $5.01, available at Amazon.
Gabriele Hackworthy, fashion director, Porter, and editorial fashion director, Net-a-Porter
“Kate Moss is the ultimate fashion icon. Her effortless bohemian style transcends fashion and is a constant source of inspiration in the industry. Kate Moss edited by Fabien Baron is the ultimate retrospective on her impressive career in fashion and makes the perfect addition to anyone’s coffee table this holiday season.”
Kate Moss by Fabien Baron, $85 $60, available at Net-a-Porter.
Darlene and Lizzy Okpo, designers, William Okpo
Darlene:"[The Way We Wore: Black Style Then by Michael McCollom] showcases African-American fashion from the 1940s through today. I love this book so much; it's my daily inspiration when I want to try something new."
Lizzy: "Sage Living: Decorate for the Life You Want — It's not a fashion book, but I love interior design."
The Way We Wore: Black Style Then by Michael McCollom, $25.59, available at Amazon; Sage Living: Decorate for the Life You Want by Anne Sage, $16.50, available at Amazon.
Julia Rubin, features editor, Racked
"The tagline for Colors is 'a magazine about the rest of the world,' and any design nerd will tell you just how important it is to magazine history. Colors was truly radical! (And fascinatingly, funded by Benetton!) This book compiles all 13 issues that the brilliant Tibor Kalman edited, with a bonus annotation from his equally brilliant wife Maira."
Colors: Tibor Kalman, Issues 1-13 by Tibor Kalman, $4.28, available at Amazon.
Lyndsey Butler, founder, Veda
"[Elizabeth] Hawes was a powerful and outspoken figure in the fashion industry. She worked as a designer, retailer, and critic in the industry. She wasn't afraid to point out flaws in the system and call for action. I think it's an important reminder to speak up when you see injustices or systems that are not working, and not just take things for granted or be satisfied with the status quo. I think it's particularly important to do this in your own industry or community."
Fashion Is Spinach: How to Beat the Fashion Racket by Elizabeth Hawes, $10.15, available at Amazon.
David Yi, fashion reporter, Mashable
"You won't be able to find this readily at any bookstore, but hunting it down on ebay or Amazon is totally worth it. As the founder of WWD and W magazines, Mr. Fairchild kept it real — snarky, gossipy, and sardonic — and kept the fashion world shaking in their boots. Every fashion journalist should read this first-hand account of the weird, wacky, wonderful world of this industry and how little it's changed."
Chic Savages by John Fairchild, $3.98, available at Amazon.
Jaclyn Hodes, designer, AWAVEAWAKE
"I read this fictional novel as a teenager — a love story loosely based on the author's childhood in 1920s-era French Indochina. It had me dreaming of a land that would captivate me many, many moons later, when I traveled there as an adult. The description of the author leaning against the railing on a boat across the Mekong in a red silk tunic, men's fedora, leather belt, and gold lamé evening shoes informs many an AWAVEAWAKE mood. It's pretty much the height of chic, natural style, and the fact that she was describing herself as a teenager, at the edge of awareness of herself and her sensual power — I am forever revisiting the subtlety of that space."
The Lover by Marguerite Duras, $12.95, available at Penguin Random House.
Jeff Johnson, cofounder and creative director, The Arrivals
"In Praise of Shadows: This book is one of the few that continues to shape my design approach. It's grounded in simple Japanese design foundations of minimalism, functionality, and simplicity. The extremely reduced gist: Sometimes the answers are found in the shadows, not in the light."
In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki, $6.63, available at Amazon.
Garance Doré, photographer, illustrator, author of Love Style Life, and founder and creative director, Garance Doré
"I adore this book because it’s generous and reflects a beautiful time of fashion, a time when models took over the world. Great girls are portrayed in here with such a candid approach. It made fashion fun and approachable, two things that resonate with me so much. It’s also a beautiful book with gorgeous photography from Arthur Elgort, without being heavy or pretentious. The name, Models Manual, is simple and perfect. It inspired me a lot for my book, Love Style Life. To me, it’s a great classic."
Arthur Elgort's Models Manual by Arthur Elgort, $16.85, available at Amazon.
Cipriana Quann, cofounder and editor-in-chief, Urban Bush Babes
"I know this may be strange to say but The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I think it was the earliest memory in which I thought of clothes as more than just clothes but a vehicle to escape or projecting a mood without saying a word. As a little girl, my childhood was not the most peaceful environment, therefore I secretly wished I could be transported to another world via my closet, but instead used the items inside it to create imaginary worlds of my own through dress-up. Now, I see the impact fashion can make beyond just the aesthetic."
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, $.99, available at Amazon.
Tracy DiNunzio, founder and CEO, Tradesy
"Overdressed by Elizabeth L. Cline totally changed how I see the fashion industry, and inspired me to be part of changing it for the better. It's totally entertaining, informative, and empowering."
Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline, $11.03, available at Amazon.
Andrea Jiapei Li, designer, Andrea Jiapei Li
"'...Then you will have to wait for inspiration. Until you can clear up your true identity you will be tied to a repetition of this life...First you must say to yourself: 'I want to live a true life.' Then you must watch your mind to see the response that it is making to life. You will discover the true response that you yourself make to life undistorted by the ideas of others.'
"I like this book not only because Agnes Martin is one of my favorite artists, but also because it contains Agnes' writings that go beyond art — they touch upon creativity, life, and identity. For example, the quote here talking about the importance of finding true self and how it could shape the way you see life and your surroundings. It is something that I really resonate with, especially as my MFA graduate collection was titled 'I AM WHAT [I AM],' which explored the idea of self-discovery."
Agnes Martin: Paintings, Writings, Remembrances by Arne Glimcher, $95.70, available at Amazon.
Giovanna Campagna, cofounder, Creo Consulting
"As I am maid of honor at my sister's upcoming wedding, I keep coming back to Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers. The bohemian, garden style of Kate Moss' wedding is exactly what we are going for — crowd of beautiful flower children and all! And, with so many friends my age getting engaged, it's a perfect holiday gift for so many people on my list."
Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers by Hamish Bowles, $51.79, available at Amazon.
Brandon Maxwell, designer, Brandon Maxwell, and stylist
"My elementary school art teacher taught me about Warhol when I was very young. I got my first copy of this book at a discount bookstore in my hometown in Texas and I used to read each entry and dream about what my life could be like in New York."
The Andy Warhol Diaries by Andy Warhol, $26.54, available at Amazon.
Lauren Schwab, cofounder, Negative Underwear
"I just finished The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and I'm obsessed. It's not directly related to fashion, but due to my love of fashion, I have accumulated an overwhelming wardrobe that grows every year. I often attempt to organize my closet with the hopes of getting rid of things that I never wear or have seen better days, but I always find it impossible to part ways with my stuff and end up making excuses why I should keep everything. This book has changed my perspective on the importance of de-cluttering and surrounding myself with things that inspire feelings of happiness and positivity vs. guilt."
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo, $10.19, available at Amazon.
Maria Sole Cecchi, founder and creative director, Les Petits Joueurs
"I have two specific books I love that influence me when shaping the Les Petits Joueurs style. The first is Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs, which I look to for inspiration in shapes and color, two characteristics that form the foundation of my collections. The book is filled with lively compositions of his cut-out works that are brilliant to sift through when searching for radiant combinations of form and shades.
"The second book is Yves Saint Laurent: Style, which covers a 40-year evolution of YSL’s designs. One of the things I love about this book is that it’s filled with hand-drawn designs, doodles, and textile cut-outs; it feels as if I am holding the designer's very sketchbook in my hands. The revolutionary designs that fill this book motivate me with ideas to give my designs an avant-garde edge."
Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs Exhibition Catalogue, $60, available at MoMA Store; Yves Saint Laurent: Style by Foundation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent, $55, available at Abrams.
Ellen van Dusen, designer, Dusen Dusen
"This book helped shape my ideas about colors and their juxtaposition, and how your perception of color is dependent on context. I always go back to this book for reference when I start designing prints for a new season."
Interaction of Color by Josef Albers, $18, available Yale University Press.
Katie Ermilio, designer, Katie Ermilio
"Dinner Diaries by Daniel Cappello is not only beautiful as an object, but it’s completely purposeful and useful, too. It contains everything one could ever want to know about their favorite style icons' dinner-party rituals, and is filled with little details to help inform your own. It's a book that I keep front and center in my home, and one that I have gifted more times than I can count."
Dinner Diaries by Daniel Cappello, $50, available at Assouline.
Maxine Bédat, cofounder and CEO, Zady
"Overdressed: It's the best page turner on the state of the industry, period.
"Women in Clothes:We talk about clothes all the time as women, but we never really talk about our own inner dialogue on clothing. Reading the interviews in this book is a peek into the colorful stories we tell ourselves. Understanding women helps us design for women.
"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: We wear our clothing on average only seven times before getting rid of them. Using the approach in this book can help us cut down this toxic and exhausting treadmill. It's about taking control of our things, rather than our things taking control of us."
Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline, $11.03, available at Amazon; Women in Clothes by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits, Leanne Shapton, and 639 others, $19.48, available at Amazon; The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, $10.19, available at Amazon.
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