Fashion Careers, Fashion Is Fun
Required Reading for People Who Work in Fashion, Want to Work in Fashion, or Simply Love Fashion
By Lauren Sherman
As a writer, I spend a good amount of my life reading other people’s words. And most of those words are about fashion.
So in the spirit of sharing, I’ve put together a recommended reading list for those who work in, want to work in, or simply love, fashion. In addition to my own thoughts, I’ve conulted Fashionista’s contributors, sources and friends. This list is by no means comprehensive, but these books have taught me a lot about the industry’s past–as well as it’s future.
The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever, by Teri Agins
This book changed my life. Really. A long time ago, when I first started as a reporter at Forbes, I knew that I wanted to be a fashion writer, but I didn’t know what kind of fashion writer. Since the job was at a finance pub, I was forced to learn about the business. And one of the first books recommended to me by an editor was The End of Fashion, written by the Wall Street Journal‘s longtime fashion reporter. The book explains how conglomerates like LVMH and red carpet fashion changed the industry forever. Some ideas are dated, but in general, it’s a fascinating, educational read. After finishing, I knew that I wanted to focus my career on what was happening behind the scenes.
The Fashion Designer Survival Guide: Start and Run Your Own Fashion Business, by Mary Gehlhar
A successful designer friend of mine recommended this book. While there’s no denying that starting your own label is incredibly, incredibly tough, it can happen. And it can go on to become successful. With a forward by entrepreneur Diane von Furstenberg, Gehlhar aims to give aspiring designers a bit of guidance.
House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, by Sara Gay Forden
The ’90s was a hugely important time in the fashion industry–that’s when the big conglomerates began to emerge as fashion’s most powerful players–and Gucci was right in the middle of a battle between PPR’s Francois Pinault and LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault. But there’s more to the story: Like Tom Ford‘s emergence on the scene and a family murder mystery. Juicy stuff–it’s even being made into a movie!
Chic Savages: The New Rich, the Old Rich, and the World They Inhabit, by John Fairchild
Legendary WWD editor and publisher John Fairchild’s memoir has a lot to do with fashion and fashion journalism, but it’s mostly a study of upper class society, starting with the late 1960s through the end of the 1980s. Fairchild writes like an old-fashioned newspaper man, and it’s thrilling. A good read for anyone following W‘s overhaul.
Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, by Dana Thomas
The first book to address fashion’s issues with counterfeiting in a constructive, easy-to-understand, exciting way. What’s more, it’ll teach you a lot about modern-day manufacturing and production.
Tags: Alicia Drake, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris, and Greed, and Survival, and the World They Inhabit, Axel Madsen, Chanel: A Woman of her Own, Chic Savages: The New Rich, Deborah Ball, Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, Diana Vreeland, Glamour, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You, House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, If You Have to Cry, John Fairchild, Kelly Cutrone, Madness, Mary Gehlhar, Murder, Saint Laurent, Sara Gay Forden, Teri Agins, The Beautiful Fall: Lagerfeld, The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever, The Fashion Designer Survival Guide: Start and Run Your Own Fashion Business, the Old Rich, The Teen Vogue Handbook, W
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I LOVE The End of Fashion, my copy is totally dog-eared. I would also recommend No Logo by Naomi Klein and Fashion & It's Social Agendas by Diana Crane. They're a bit heavier, but interesting nonetheless. Also, Fashion: A History from the 18th to 20th Centuries.
I haven't heard of some of these so I will definitely look into them.
Thanks! These are great!
Lauren, thanks for this posting – very interesting reads. Adding them all to my list.
I have almost all of these books! I am reading The Beatiful Fall right now, its great!!!
GREAT list Lauren. I've been looking for some good ones to read lately, too. Just finished Cutrone's book- ridiculously great, even though it's mostly about business, not fashion. DV is probably next on my list now. Thanks for the recommendations!
I love this list – especially since school is wrapping up and I'm looking for books to read on metro trips to and from work this summer. DV is truly a great read and I'm currently reading In Vogue, an illustrated history of Vogue – a pricey, but great read.
Deluxe by Dana Thomas is an AWESOME book. Good job including it!
I have read all these books except the Mary Gelhar one – great choices! I think the Cheap Chic (or the update) by Caterine Milinaire, was really inspirational for me to see what people could do, with a lot of different styles represented. Also I like both Christian Lacroix books, Pieces of a Pattern and The Diary of a Collection. Diana Vreeland by Eleanor Dwight is a good companion to the DV book.
Such a perfect post! I will definitely be picking those up.
Speaking of those that want to work in fashion. I currently do visual merchandising for Forever 21 (I know, I know) in Florida, but I want to get into the world of fashion. I will be moving to Chicago this summer (such a move up from FL) and I was wondering if anybody had any advice for me. I was going to look at bigger, more respectable retail locations and contact local boutique for any opportunities. Any advice would be amazing! Thanks!
Awesome post!
I also really enjoyed Fashion Babylon. Although touted at fiction, it is certainly based on what really does go on.
It definitely doesn't relate as directly to the fashion industry, but I just picked up “The History of Beauty” by prof. Umberto Eco. It's a detailed study on everything (using paintings and photographs) that's been considered aesthetically pleasing through recorded history. It's comprehensive, gorgeous, and a great read for anyone who'd like to feel like they know a lot more about art history than they actually do. I'm sure I'll be sourcing it in every paper I write for the remainder of my university career.
If you're of the opinion that what was going in the 1770's is just as important to modern fashion as what was going on in the 1970's, pick up this book.
Great list, thanks for the ideas. I think DV is next for me, I read an article about her recently and was intrigued. I bought Deluxe just the other day, so it's a cool coincidence to see it mentioned here. I've been totally absorbed in it during my daily commute, very interesting and insightful. I work steps from 5th Ave and all the luxury retailers, so high-end fashion is something I enjoy immensely, even though I could never dream of paying those prices.
thank you so much for posting this I am majoring in Fashion and I have been looking for some great inspiring books to read this summer and just ordered The End Of Fashion and House of Gucci :) I cant wait to get them and read them!
I already bookmarked this list and I think I'll be taking it to my next trip to Barnes&Noble. Thanks!
Another cool book about fashion: The Meaning of Sunglasses by Hadley Freeman (she writes the column Ask Hadley for The Guardian) <== love it!
House of Versace by Deborah Ball:Absolute must read. Totally incredible. And I mean, really, REALLY good.
Great list Lauren, your insight on each title is helpful, especially for some who may not have any idea on this stuff. I'm also a fan of Paco Underhill's “Why we Buy”, especially since it is updated now to include online shopping and more global info.
i would recommend 'fashion makers fashion shapers' by anne celine jaegar. It has interviews with designers, editors etc. and has great advice on finding your way in fashion
Great List!!! House of Gucci and the Kelly Cutrone book are some of my personal favorites, and I'll definitely be adding the other titles to my reading list!
I recommend the HBO documentary “Schmatta,” about the decline of the garment industry in New York City.
I have two of those books already the Teen Vogue handbook, and the Chanel: A woman of her own, very inspiring with cut through detail1
http://kemichic.blogspot.com
I read the first few part of the “House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed” and I admit that I really love reading it, I think I will love it more if I will be able to finish it. I just borrowed it from a friend.
This list is very good and as an educator in Fashion Merchandising I feel that the “Thoughtful Dresser” by Linda Grant should also be included.
I found “The Towering Times of Jimmy Choo” by Lauren Goldstein Crowe and Sagra Maceira de Rosen to be a page turner. It depicts the real game at play in luxury brand building these days: adding value.
The tale is riveting one of corporate intrigue and human drama and tells the tale of how the Jimmy Choo brand was conceived, developed, sold and then sold again , all in a period of 7 years. More dramatically, it shows the international impact of a brand that is now mentioned in the same breath as Prada, Gucci, Hermes and LV. Quite a feat for a brand that barely existing before 1997! This is a most comtemporary tale of the luxury business as it relates to the valuation of companies and growth tactics.
Another enjoyable yarn is the second autobiography of Marvin Traub, a former CEO of Bloomingdale’s, “Like No Other Career” which focuses on the global nature of retail business, the multi-channel solutions to expansion and the acknowledgement that the new merchant princes of the retail industry are those such as Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Meg Whitman (Ebay) and others that are leveraging technology to drive retail expansion and add new channels.
I am a student in Retail Merchandising and had just bought this book to read this summer, so I am glad to know that it is a fitting read!
Great list, Lauren. I would also add Holly Brubach's “Dedicated Follower of Fashion” for those interested in fashion journalism. Her profiles on designers and models–as well as her critical pieces–are really first-rate. (I also like Judith Thurman's collected writings–which include lots of fashion pieces–in “Cleopatra's Nose”.)
For those seeking a fantastic more historical point of reference in fashion journalism pick up Bettina Ballard's 'In My Fashion'. Lots of history, unheard of anecdotes about American and Paris Vogue's relationship, how the greats (i.e. Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel etc) began…and the way ready-to-wear really started. Just a wonderful book… It is rare…but well worth the digging.
where can i buy all thes e books if i live in central america???a maazon_'????
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Great list! Someone already mentioned Diana Crane's Fashion And Its Social Agenda. Crane inspired me to study fashion theory, which I ended up getting my M.A. in. I'd also include Lars Svendsen's Fashion: A Philosophy, Anne Hollander's Seeing Through Clothes, Joan DeJean's The Essence of Style, and Yuniya Kawamura's Fashion-ology.
http://seeyourstyle.blogspot.com/
i'm going to work my way through this list throughout summer, so valuable!
this is amazing! i am reading every single book on the list AS WELL AS all the books posted in the comments (: