Cloth That Changed the World: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz by Sarah Fee
Recommended by The Fashion and Race Database (itself an excellent reading resource), this book takes an in-depth look at Indian chintz – the vibrant printed fabric that has played a pivotal role in the evolution of fashion. It was incredibly popular and influential, and its history is interwoven with global trade, colonial power, and the industrial revolution. Based on the Royal Ontario Museum’s renowned chintz collection, the book's lush photography also includes contemporary fashion pieces, as well as documenting the revival of traditional craftsmanship.
ROM & Yale University Press
Clothes... And Other Things That Matter by Alexandra Shulman
An essential edition to your fashion memoir shelf, Shulman’s already-bestselling autobiography traverses her lengthy and influential career in journalism – with nuanced social commentary and first-hand fashion history from her 25-year tenure at the helm of British Vogue.
Cassell
READ:Former Vogue Editor Alexandra Shulman On Clothes & Other Things That Matter
Dead Style: A Long Strange Trip into the Magical World of Tie-Dye by Mordechai Rubinstein
Whether you’re a lifelong Deadhead or simply appreciate a flourish of tie-dye, this new book from street-style photographer Mordechai "Mister Mort" Rubinstein will add a good buzz to your winter reading. It documents the bright fashions and vibrant characters of Grateful Dead’s fanbase.
Abrams
Fashion and Class by Rachel Worth
Two deeply intertwined topics that reflect on society and history; in this book historian Rachel Worth examines the concept of class and how it was shaped by fashion. With an economic, cultural and political approach she explores whether the industrial revolution led to the intensification or dilution of class, and looks at class within the contemporary fashion landscape – from high street fashion to haute couture.
Bloomsbury
How to Read a Suit: A Guide to Changing Men’s Fashion from the 17th to the 20th Century by Lydia Edwards
Costume boffins will love this one – an exhaustively informative yet accessible follow up to Edward’s 2017 book on women’s dress. A very visual guide, it provides a fascinating look at menswear throughout recent history.
Bloomsbury
Jane Austen Embroidery: Authentic Embroidery Projects for Modern Stitchers by Alison Larkin and Jennie Batchelor
A good read for anyone with a little time on their hands (or a lot), this book features 15 projects inspired by the era of Austen, with the authors placing a modern spin on recently-discovered embroidery patterns from the period. Far from daunting, the methodical approach explains historical embroidery, materials and methods, as well as key stitches and threads – plus all the projects are allocated different skill levels.
Harper Collins
Modesty: A Fashion Paradox by Hafsa Lodi
An insightful look at modest fashion and the personalities and brands shaping this industry, Modesty: A Fashion Paradox highlights the personal and cultural nuances at the nexus of Islam and appearance. Lodi is a journalist who focuses on fashion in the Middle East, and her book comes at a key time for global discussions around identity and fashion, as well as the mainstreaming of conservative style.
Neem Tree Press
Pools: Lounging, Diving, Floating, Dreaming: Picturing Life at the Swimming Pool by Lou Stoppard
For those wanting a splash of escapism, this ode to swimming pools is a refreshing read as we look towards summer. The joyful book features the work of influential fashion photographers like Nick Knight and Glen Luchford, while author Lou Stoppard is a contributor to Vogue and the New Yorker.
Rizzoli
The Age of Undress: Art, Fashion, and the Classical Ideal in the 1790s by Amelia Rauser
Charting a sliver of time in the 18th century when less was more – familiar to any Austen aficionados – this recent release delves into the romance and rebellion of neoclassical fashion with a revisionist and feminist approach. Rauser investigates the influences and history behind this revolutionary (though short-lived) movement, and discusses how it was tied to the period's artists and thinkers.
Yale University Press
The New Parisienne: The Women and Ideas Shaping Paris by Lindsey Tramuta
Aptly timed for the long-overdue social reckoning of 2020, this book challenges the myth of the ‘French Woman’. By deconstructing what is essentially a marketing image tied to race and class (one long-perpetuated by the fashion industry) author Lindsey Tramuta presents a vibrant, diverse look at the women of Paris.
Abrams
The Psychopolitics of Fashion: Conflict and Courage under The Current State of Fashion by Otto von Busch
An experimental read for unprecedented times, this bold, theoretical book considers what fashion would look like if it was a state. Through this metaphor the author recontextualises fashion and questions the toxicity and power structures of the current system, while arguing persuasively for change and reform.
Bloomsbury
Tudor Textiles by Eleri Lynn
If you’re a textile fan this will be a lush addition to your coffee table. It spotlights the extravagance and luxury of Tudor textiles, and the time and expertise required to craft them. Beyond that, author Eleri Lynn provides political, culture and historical context, and dissects the fascinating dynamics of global trade during the period.
Yale University Press
The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir by André Leon Talley
The third book from the famous fashion editor, this new memoir documents his rise (and perceived fall) at US Vogue alongside Anna Wintour. Leon Talley grew up in the South under Jim Crow laws before becoming a pillar of the fashion industry (he got his start at Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine). As with his operatic fashion style, this juicy autobiography will be loved by fashion fans.
Ballantine Books
Andre Leon Talley's Tell-All Memoir Questions The Future Of Glossy Magazines
I Can Make You Feel Good by Tyler Mitchell
One of America's leading photographers, Tyler Mitchell made long-overdue history when he became the first black photographer to shoot the cover of US Vogue (chosen to do so by cover star Beyoncé). His visionary new monograph I Can Make You Feel Good optimistically explores what a Black utopia would look like through sumptous imagery and his signature eye for colour, light and people.
Prestel
Beyonce's Vogue Cover Is Historic But Not Iconic
