Reading List: The Best Books About Fashion

This semester, I had a bold goal for myself: to rediscover my love of reading. Getting through readings for class is hard enough, so picking up a book for fun felt like a daring move. But, determined to give reading a chance again, I paid a visit to the Van Pelt stacks and found a few great stories about the fashion industry. If you are looking for a way to go beyond FashionTok and sneak a little style knowledge into your week, here are a few of my favorites.

Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster

By Dana Thomas

I loved this book so much, it even inspired a final project for my Mergers and Acquisitions class! This non-fiction piece talks about the origins of many different luxury chains, with a specific focus on LVMH’s acquisitions. It also highlights the global expansion of these brands and addresses some of the origins of concerns regarding the quality of luxury brands that have recently come to light, such as the recent scandal with Dior’s labor concerns in Italy or Chanel’s price hikes.

House of Gucci

By Sarah Gay Forden

I thought the House of Gucci movie was super dramatic and riveting. As is the case with many books-turned-movies, the book was even better than the movie. This book tells the tumultuous history of the Gucci brand and dives into the family history and gruesome murder of Maurizio Gucci by his ex-wife. It is an exciting book, and even if you don’t have time to read it, the movie is great too!

The Kingdom of Prep: The Inside Story of the Rise and (Near) Fall of J. Crew

By Maggie Bullock

If you were ever into the “old money” aesthetic, you will love this book. I always heard about the allure of J. Crew from my parents, and thought that the clothing was cute, but not my style. However, I never truly understood the brand’s cachet… until I read this book. J. Crew was the pioneering brand in affordable luxury and conceived the “old money” style. It was also surprisingly engaging to see how the company rose under family leadership, then was bought out by a private equity firm, and was able to revitalize itself. The Kingdom of Prep ultimately explained how J. Crew became the company that we know and love today.

The Chanel Sisters

By Judithe Little

This book, while technically fiction, is an inspiring story about how Coco Chanel and her sister were able to escape a challenging childhood and, subsequently, revolutionize luxury fashion in Paris. Chanel is one of my favorite brands to watch on the runway, and I thought that this book was a great, interesting and casual read.

Overdressed: The Hidden Cost of Fast Fashion

By Elizabeth L. Cline

In an increasingly eco-conscious world, this book provides great insight to learn about the fast fashion industry. Fast fashion has mass appeal - but this book talks about the labor and environmental concerns that come with it while presenting alternatives. It skews a bit more educational and persuasive but keeps to a generally narrative format which makes it engaging. Plus, while fast fashion is a key concern in the fashion industry, this book is a great way to stay on top of developments.

I have enjoyed getting back into reading this semester, and I hope that, with these suggestions, I have inspired you to do the same!

Featured Image Courtesy of iCanvas