24 Essential Fashion Books for the Chic Reader

Harper’s BAZAAR has celebrated a lot of firsts: It was the first fashion magazine in the United States, one of the first to publish the works of Andy Warhol, and the first to debut the collections of leading fashion houses. In 152 years, the publication has evolved with the times, chronicling the best in art, photography, society, celebrity, and, of course, style. All this history was on view at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in February, when, in a characteristic first, a standalone exhibition has been devoted to a magazine. And this tome by Marianne Le Galliard and Éric Pujalet-Plaà, with a forward by by Olivier Gabet and Glenda Bailey, captures all the visual splendor and editorial excellence that have filled the pages of BAZAAR over the decades.  

Sure, you got the basics from your freshman-year Textile and Apparel Management class, but how thorough were your notes? Brush up on your studies with this fascinating story, which dives deep into the 30,000-year history of fabric as we know it, accented by the technological advancements and cultural customs that made the material the monolith it is today. 

You can’t build a life in fashion without overhearing some juicy gossip, and the creative ambassador-at-large for Barneys New York has seemingly heard it all. In this funny, delightful, and insightful collection, he summarizes years spent among the most brilliant—and strangest—minds in the business. 

Modesty has long been one of fashion’s most debated principles. Equally deemed sexist and empowering, depending on who you ask, covering up—whether for religious, cultural, or personal reasons—makes a statement. Fashion journalist Hafsa Lodi answers the question “Is modest fashion a contradiction?” with a well-researched and tender portrait of the politics and people behind a movement. 

Journalist Dana Thomas traces the parallel threads between two of the most provocative names in fashion history: John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. Equal parts compelling biography and detailed social history, Gods and Kings follows the tale of two gay men in London and how their work accelerated the art of high fashion while falling into the clutches of corporate greed. 

I first stumbled across Shoe Dog among the bookshelves of a friend who owns more than 40 pairs of shoes—most of them Nikes. He swears by this memoir from Nike creator Phil Knight as one of the all-time greatest accounts of how a symbol can become an icon. 

We all know fast fashion is bad for the environment. But do we really know how bad it is for the environment? This tell-all from the author of The Conscious Closet examines why those $5 crop tops are much more dangerous than they appear, and pushes both designers and consumers to opt, and shop, for eco-friendly fashion. 

As one of the world’s first Black supermodels, Pat Cleveland has always had inimitable style, but she’s an inspiring storyteller too. This memoir chases her around the world, from France to New York to Mexico to Japan, as she stamps herself upon the industry and its colorful cast. 

So much of modern style has been co-opted, appropriated, and outright stolen from communities of color. This collection sets the record straight by highlighting the works of creative BIPOC in fashion, lifestyle, and art, illuminating the ways their genius shines through the barriers set up against them. 

Travel back to 1970s-era Paris with Alicia Drake's enchanting deep-dive, which traces a rivalry between Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent—and the chasm it opened in Paris fashion culture.

Fashion editor of Harper’s BAZAAR is just one of the many accolades the brilliant Diana Vreeland earned in her lifetime among the parties (and closets) of the rich and famous. In this effervescent autobiography, Vreeland takes no shame in name-dropping but never allows a vapid sentence to pass from her fingertips. 

If you want to understand the modern figures pulling the strings of global fashion, you need to know the name André Leon Talley. Once a friend to the controversial designer Karl Lagerfeld, he used his wit, style IQ, and connections to become bureau chief of Women’s Wear Daily and eventually the creative director of Vogue. In this memoir, he describes his long and winding journey to becoming one of the most powerful voices in the industry today. 

We live in the age of influencers, and fashion will never look the same. As follower count and star power evolve to dictate the styles we buy and the brands we notice, it’s important to understand how these influences came to be. Hijacking the Runway might be a bit dated now—it was written in 2014—but its principles and historical context provide an essential primer to understanding the celebrity impact on modern fashion. 

You already know her name. (And if you don’t, shhh. Start reading now.) The entrepreneur, philanthropist, and icon behind the luxury brand DVF shares both her detailed memories as well as her timeless philosophies in this fashion fanatic must-read. 

Daniel Day, otherwise known as Dapper Dan, is arguably one of the most important figures of the last century of fashion. He turned his Harlem store, Dapper Dan’s Boutique, into a bastion of streetwear fused with high-end luxury, co-opting logos from brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton to create a style all his own. Now revered by hip-hop and fashion legends alike, he tells his story from childhood to present in this brilliant best seller. 

If you’re looking to rebuild your wardrobe from the ground up, start with these 100 closet must-haves, curated by Project Runway judge and ELLE Editor-in-Chief Nina Garcia. She details exactly which pieces are essential and why, as well as offers tips for how to style them in any season. 

Originally published in 1954, fashion photographer Cecil Beaton's The Glass of Fashion is an alluring collection of vignettes from the '40s and '50s. Illustrated with Beaton's line drawings, the book includes witty profiles on everyone from Chanel and Balenciaga to Beaton's own aunt.

You won’t get far in the fashion world without tracing the paths of those before you, and Coco Chanel’s footprints are everywhere. In this visually stunning volume, Jérôme Gautier details the traits that best characterized the designer’s signature looks, all while serving you a delicious feast for the eyes. 

In this rich and gorgeous collection, curator and critic Antwaun Sargent profiles 15 Black fashion photographers, examining the methods with which they’ve constructed the Black image around the world. Fighting for diversity in an oft-blindingly white space while drawing audiences with their individuality, these artists are an inspiration for any modern creative. 

The Little Dictionary of Fashion is your guide on how to be chic, as written by the man himself: Christian Dior. From how to walk with grace to how to tie a scarf perfectly, Dior's words of advice are both witty and timeless.