If you’re passionate about fashion and style, books can be a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration. In the selection below, we’ve gathered the top 10 offerings of 2023 designed to deepen your knowledge in the field of fashion. From an exclusive introduction to the world of designers like Pharrell Williams and Giorgio Armani to the intricacies of creating the wardrobes of ‘Euphoria’ characters and the architecture of Louis Vuitton boutiques, every reader will find something fascinating.
DIOR BY RAF SIMONS
The 344-page volume “Dior by Raf Simons” is the sixth installment in the series dedicated to the creative directors of the French fashion house. The cover features a red coat from the Christian Dior Fall/Winter 2012 Couture collection, which WWD hailed as “one of the most anticipated designer debuts in history.”
In this book, published by Assouline in collaboration with photographer Laziz Hamani and journalist Tim Blanks, unique works by Raf Simons from the period of 2012 to 2015 are presented. The publication celebrates the designer’s strict aesthetics, harmoniously blending with the poetic femininity of Dior.
BURBERRY
The book by fashion critic Alexander Fury, consisting of five chapters and 200 illustrations, describes Burberry’s journey from a family business in 1856 to a global luxury brand in 2022. “Each chapter delves into a series of notable events and symbols that Burberry is renowned for,” according to the house’s press release. “Inspirational explorers, iconic trench coats, and a distinct British identity.”
Many of the images will be immediately recognizable, including those taken during the brand’s most iconic runway shows, while others will allow readers to delve into the history of the house and learn about the creation of its most famous products.
LOUIS VUITTON SKIN: ARCHITECTURE OF LUXURY
The book “Louis Vuitton Skin: Architecture of Luxury,” written by Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Goldberger and published by Assouline in six different covers, invites readers to take a journey around the world by visiting Louis Vuitton boutiques in São Paulo, Seoul, Miami, Mexico, and other cities.
The stores featured in the book are distinctly different from one another, and their exteriors are influenced by local culture and surroundings. For example, the glass façade of the store located in the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo resembles Tokyo Bay with its reflective, undulating surface.
PER AMORE
In 2015, Giorgio Armani released a book with the same title, in which he described his journey from his early life in war-torn Italy to building the Giorgio Armani empire. Building on the success of the first edition, this year, Armani presented a continuation of his illustrated volume.
In this new autobiography, all the attention is devoted to the context of the designer’s personal history. He reflects on his youth and the people close to him, and then recounts the beginnings of his career and what inspires him in the modern world. Armani offers a plethora of wise sayings, philosophically pondering what it means to be “creative” and work in the fashion industry. All of this is accompanied by photographs taken throughout the designer’s life.
SOFIA COPPOLA ARCHIVE: 1999–2023
“Sofia Coppola Archive: 1999–2023” offers a behind-the-scenes look at the nearly quarter-century career of one of the most influential contemporary directors, Sofia Coppola. This 488-page book provides a rare glimpse into Coppola’s creative process and includes personal sketches, storyboards, reference collages, annotated scripts, and detailed descriptions of all eight of her films produced to date. The book also features hundreds of previously unpublished photographs, ranging from shots of a 16-year-old Kirsten Dunst on the set of “The Virgin Suicides” to scenes from the actual Paris Hilton house heist by teenagers in “Bling Ring.”
BULGARI: BEYOND TIME
From the distinctive Serpenti model to the revolutionary ultra-thin Octo, watch enthusiasts understand that Bulgari and watchmaking have gone hand in hand for quite some time. The jewelry house’s contribution to the world of horology is reflected in the book “Bulgari: Beyond Time,” dedicated to the unparalleled combination of Italian design and Swiss engineering. Photographs of exceptional timepieces adorned with precious gemstones are accompanied by essays and interviews with representatives of the brand and famous Bulgari enthusiasts.
FASHIONING THE BEATLES: THE LOOKS THAT SHOOK THE WORLD
John, Paul, George, and Ringo weren’t just great musicians; they were true fashion icons. More than fifty years after the breakup of the iconic rock band, the style of its members continues to inspire world-renowned designers, including Tom Browne, John Varvatos, Anna Sui, Stella McCartney, and Alessandro Michele.
Deirdre Kelly’s book, “Fashioning the Beatles: The Looks That Shook The World,” is the first in-depth exploration of the British group’s legacy, demonstrating that their distinctive style was not a random byproduct of their fame but an integral part of their creativity and a key to their global success.
PHARRELL: CARBON, PRESSURE & TIME
In addition to creating collections for Louis Vuitton and producing hit songs, Pharrell Williams also finds time to write books. “Pharrell: Carbon, Pressure & Time: A Book of Jewels” offers a closer look at over 100 jewelry pieces created by Williams, many of which he designed in collaboration with brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co. In the book, the musician also engages in discussions with Tyler, the Creator, NIGO, and others about the evolution of jewelry in hip-hop culture and the processes involved in creating custom pieces
GIVENCHY CATWALK: THE COMPLETE COLLECTIONS
The monograph “Givenchy Catwalk: The Complete Collections” offers the opportunity to trace the evolution of the Givenchy house through original runway photographs. The book begins with a brief history of the brand and then delves into the examination of the collections themselves, presented in chronological order. Each new era in Givenchy’s history is accompanied by the biography of the new designer, and individual collections are supplemented with brief text that reveals their influence.
Following editions dedicated to Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Prada, Vivienne Westwood, Versace, and Chloé, this book is the ninth in the series, providing a unique overview of collections from leading global fashion houses.
EUPHORIA FASHION
The TV series “Euphoria,” which first aired on HBO in the summer of 2019, captivated the world with its raw teenage drama and iconic costumes, spawning numerous trends and viral moments. In connection with this, costume designer Heidi Bivens, in collaboration with the entertainment company A24, released a 272-page book titled “Euphoria Fashion,” which provides a detailed account of the creation of the influential wardrobe for the series.
The book begins with an introduction by Jeremy Scott, who designed a special Moschino dress for the character Cassie Howard, portrayed by Sydney Sweeney, in the second season. Within its pages, fans will find interviews with Bivens and renowned “Euphoria” actors such as Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, and Alexa Demie, as well as with the series’ makeup artist Doniella Davy and director Sam Levinson.
