This is all I got for Christmas in fact! Books, books, books and a fox onesie....don't ask. So I thought, what are my favourite fashionable reads?
1 - Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre by Dana Thomas
Okay, forgive that this is a few years old and enjoy it. It's a fascinating look into the world of luxury goods by a very detailed writer. I read Dana Thomas' newest book last year and it was really good. She really investigates a subject and leaves no detail out. It's one of the reasons why this was such a great read. I learned a lot about the brands that I didn't before. She looks at their history and creation. The book looks at how the luxury brands we love today started and then became luxury. It examines how corners are cut within the industry to further profits and also, the resulting counterfeit industries that have emerged as a result of branding. It's definitely one to make you examine your Chanel handbag a bit closer. However, I will add again that this is getting slightly dated and I wished I had a more up to date version.
2 - Overdressed : The Shockingly High Price of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline.
I've written about this one here before. If you have an interest in the effects of the fashion industry on the environment then this is a great one to read. I certainly identified my spending habits with Cline who writes about her Primark and Saturday night habit in detail. The book is an exploratory look into the effects that cheap fashion has on our culture, environment and person. I must say that this was a great follow up read to the documentaries that have emerged last year on ethical fashion. The idea of repairing and recycling fashion is very interesting to me now living in Italy where fashion is something you invest in.
3 - Alex : The extraordinary life of a Sudanese Refugee by Alex Wek.
Alex Wek is amazing. This is a fantastic and in places, very sad, look at her life as a Sudanese refugee, war and her escape to London where she became a model. I would suggest anyone pick up this book and read it. It's easy to read and yet, you cannot put it down.
4 - Gods and Kings : The Rise of John Galliano and Alexander McQueen by Dana Thomas
This was another book I couldn't put down. It is again a very detailed look into the lives of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano and asks if we place too much pressure on fashion designers. If so, could this pressure have led to the suicide of McQueen in 2011 and the fall of Galliano? Topical again due to the firing of Elbaz from Lanvin late last year. I ended up feeling incredibly sorry for both men and amazed at how much pressure at a young age was placed on them. It will be interesting to see what topic Thomas turns her hand to next. I will certainly be investing in whatever it is! This is not a small book so I recommend investing in good coffee and a comfy chair at home!
5 - Have I said too much? by Carole White
Also another book from last year. White is famous as the outspoken head of Premier who we first met in her documentary on Channel Four (I think it was!) and Have I said too much? is her memoirs. I was hoping for a bit more gossip from this one but she certainly doesn't shy away from controversial topics and there is a bit in there. There is a great insight into the modelling world and how it works. I loved the tasty little bits of gossip about the 90s supermodels and also the diva behaviour that the company witnessed during this time.
6 - The Vogue Factor by Kristie Clements
This is a look into the life of the former Australian Vogue editor. If your in any way interested in fashion journalism then this is a great look at how deals are done, copy is written and the secrets of photoshoots. Its also nice to see someone who worked so hard to get where they were rather then attributing their success to luck!
7 - Blow By Blow by Detmar Blow
Isabella Blow is an insanely over the top and fascinating person. This book, written by her husband, is a great look into her character, her work and the sad ending of her life. He isn't afraid to include the negative or be truthful about Blow's relationship with McQueen which was intense yet troublesome. I have to say I learned a lot from the book that I didn't know before. Including the fact that she had her own MAC lipstick! I never knew that. A great read about a wonderful talented person in fashion who is responsible for some of the gifted designers and models.
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