24 Must-Have Fashion Books To Read (& Display) Now

Make your coffee table the envy of all others with these beautiful fashion-themed books, which span everything from fashion houses and big-name jewellers to the world’s best-known style icons.

The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide

Must-Have Fashion Books

Coffee Table Books

Kering: Of Granite and Dreams

Dive into the world of luxury fashion with this new coffee table book from Kering, the group that is home to big name brands like Gucci and Saint Laurent. Launching to coincide with Kering’s 10th anniversary and the groups 60th anniversary, the book traces the history of Kering and features contributions from Anna Wintour, Jane Fonda and Bethann Hardison.

SHOP: Editions Flammarion, £60 at waterstones.com

Carolina Herrera: COLORMANIA, Color and Fashion

Fans of global fashion label Carolina Herrera will want to get their hands on COLORMANIA, a new coffee table book created by the brand’s Creative Director Wes Gordon and photographer Elizaveta Porodina. A celebration of Gordon’s collections for Carolina Herrera and Porodina’s eye for colour and movement, the book is a cinematic tribute to the American fashion house.

SHOP: Rizzoli International Publications, £80 at waterstones.com

Bulgari: Beyond Time

The first (and only) authorised history of Bulgari watchmaking is set to hit bookshops this month, with the arrival of Bulgari: Beyond Time. Tracking the house’s horological achievements since the 1920s, this book tells the story of over 100 years of Roman-inspired watchmaking from Bulgari itself – with passages written by iconic names associated with the brand, including friends, ambassadors and experts.

SHOP: Assouline, €250 at assouline.com

Courtesy of Burberry

Burberry

Iconic British luxury label Burberry has unveiled a new book in collaboration with Assouline, chartering the fashion house’s rise from a family-run company in 1856 to a global trailblazer in the 21st century. The richly illustrated volume, which features 200 images, documents key moments in the brand’s history while exploring how it crafted a distinct British identity.

SHOP: Assouline, £150 at assouline.com

Assouline Diamonds: Diamond Stories

Nothing screams ‘luxury’ more than diamonds – but while this beautiful materials was once only reserved for royals, it’s now at the forefront of cutting-edge fashion and design. Diamonds: Diamond Stories examines today’s expression of natural diamonds through deep dives the world’s most captivating stones – from the Hope Diamond to the legend of the Beau Sancy Diamond. The book, filled with beautiful imagery, is packed with tall tales, interviews with top designers, tastemakers and enthusiasts.

SHOP: Assouline, £85 at tobiasoliverinteriors.com

GANNI: Gimme More by Ganni © Rizzoli New York, 2021

Ganni: Gimme More

It all started with a cool Copenhagen couple: Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup. The husband-and-wife duo rocketed Ganni to international fame since its inception just only 10 years ago, and their debut monograph showcases how its network of creatives have made the brand what it is today. Flit through and you’ll see a photo essay on Copenhagen, a reflection on sustainability and the future of fashion by the founder, as well as many other delights. It’s also lovely to know that the individual carbon footprint of each book has been carbon compensated.

SHOP: Rizzoli, £42 at waterstones.com

YVES SAINT LAURENT: The Impossible Collection

A visually stunning book celebrating one of the world’s most prominent fashion designers, YVES SAINT LAURENT: The Impossible Collection delves deep into the Saint Laurent archives, detailing the trailblazing designer’s 100 most iconic looks, from his 1960s debut to the quintessential Mondrian shift dress.

SHOP: Assouline, €1,050 at eu.assouline.com

Shaun Leane

This beautiful deluxe edition of Shaun Leane – dedicated to the British jewellery designer and celebrating the 21st anniversary of his award-winning jewellery brand – features an array of archival imagery, as well as commentary from Joanna Hardy, jewellery writer Vivienne Becker and senior curator of fashion at the V&A, Claire Wilcox. A must-have for any bijouterie aficionado.

SHOP: ACC Art Books, £399 at shaunleane.com

CHAUMET Tiaras: Divine Jewels

An ode to one of the most celebrated jewellery houses in Europe, this beautiful book – the first of its kind – explores the artistry behind those Chaumet tiaras which have crowned the likes of heiresses and royalty for 240 years.

SHOP: Thames & Hudson, £80 at thamesandhudson.com

Fashion History Books

Glossy: The Inside Story of Vogue

Nina-Sophia Miralles’ Glossy takes readers on an in-depth voyage through the history and workings of Vogue, from the brand’s establishment to the people who made it such a success. Branded “the definitive story of Vogue”, the insightful retrospective details the 129-year-old publication’s triumphs and tribulations, from its humble New York beginnings to its international influence today.

SHOP: Quercus Publishing, £20 at waterstones.com

Yves Saint Laurent Catwalk

Fashion historians and fans of the prodigious designer will love this hot-pink tome, cataloguing the entirety of Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic haute couture collections. Featuring everything from the Mondrian dresses to the Ballet Russes Collection and Le Smoking, a landmark show which forever altered women’s eveningwear, the book conveys the spectacle of the shows and sheds light on the rich cultural history behind the clothes.

SHOP: Thames & Hudson, £60 at thamesandhudson.com

Christian Dior

Following the spectacular Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition, the V&A’s most prodigious and visited fashion showcase to date, it was only apt that a beautiful book be made in honour of the extraordinary exhibition highlights. From breath-taking gowns, to authentic design sketches and phenomenal fashion photography, this enchanting volume celebrating the House of Dior’s history is the ideal keep-sake for any haute-couture enthusiast.

SHOP: V&A, £40 at vam.ac.uk

The Impossible Collection of Fashion

Renowned fashion historian Valerie Steele reveals her pick of the 100 most awe-inspiring dresses which made an impact or revolutionised the world of fashion, from an iconic 80s evening gown by Issey Miyake, to trailblazing designs from the likes of Valentino, Pucci and Dior.

SHOP: Assouline, £850 at farfetch.com

Louis Vuitton Catwalk: The Complete Fashion Collections

A must-have for any Vuitton devotee, this sleek and stylish publication chronicles the French fashion house’s history, featuring biographical profiles of both creative directors past (Marc Jacobs) and present (Nicolas Ghesquière), as well as a catwalk compilation of the brand’s iconic collections worn by the likes of Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss.

SHOP: Thames & Hudson Ltd, £60 at waterstones.com

Fashion Illustration Books

Modern Fashion Illustration: Simple Techniques For Stylish Drawings

You’ll likely have caught fashion artist Holly Nichols showing off her skills online under the username @hnicholsillustration, drawing pop culture and historical moments from the industry for her millions of followers. In 2023, she decided that she’d compile her tips and tricks for creating fashion illustrations into a new, snazzy book – and Modern Fashion Illustration was born.

SHOP: Page Street Publishing, £14.99 at blackwells.co.uk

Marc Jacobs Illustrated

A beautifully inspiring and creative book exploring the marvellous world of Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs Illustrated contains over 50 works designed by the American fashion icon, all artistically illustrated by former model and US Vogue former creative director, Grace Coddington.

SHOP: Phaidon, £39.95 at phaidon.com

Biographies

Dior by Dior: The Autobiography of Christian Dior

Ever wondered about the man behind one of the biggest luxury fashion brands in the world? This autobiography not only gives readers detailed insight into the workings of the fashion house, but also reveals the nature of the man behind it. From his childhood in Granville to his first collection in 1947 – dubbed the ‘New Look’ – this is a book worth reading for lovers of fashion history.

SHOP: V&A, £9.99 at vam.ac.uk

Andrew Grima: The Father of Modern Jewellery

Renowned as the ‘King of Bling’ and ‘father of modern jewellery’, award-winning designer Andrew Grima is celebrated in this new detailed retrospective of his life and career as one of the most influential figures in the world of contemporary jewellery design.

SHOP: ACC Art Books, from £85.73 at abebooks.co.uk

Mary Quant

Another stunning exhibition-inspired book from the V&A, Mary Quant explores the fashion icon’s trailblazing career and prominence in the 1960s – namely, the mini skirt – showcasing never-before-seen fashion photography and captivating designs.

SHOP: V&A, £30 at vam.ac.uk

Celebrity Fashion Books

Harry Styles: And The Clothes He Wears

A 21st century icon, Harry Styles has made a name for himself as a figure who breaks norms and champions fluid expression. In Harry Styles: And The Clothes He Wears, author Terry Newman breaks down some of the singer’s most iconic looks from his career – from street style heroes to THAT Vogue cover shoot (that we’re all still secretly thinking about) – and uses fashion history to outline the web of influences that went into them.

SHOP: ACC Art Books, £22 at waterstones.com

The Rihanna Book

If you’re a fan of Rihanna, this visual autobiography is a must-have. Over 1,000 images provide a glimpse into the personal world of the Bajan mega-star, from her time spent growing up in Barbados, to a behind the scenes look at her global tours. The 504-page picture book also looks back on some of the Fenty designer’s most iconic fashion moments and accomplishments.

SHOP: Phaidon, £120 at phaidon.com

LIKEtoKNOW.it: Stories From The Influencer Next Door

From the brand that revolutionised social media-influenced shopping, this beautiful book from the editors of LIKEtoKNOW.it showcases aesthetic images of over 100 global influencers – think Molly Sims, Louise Roe and Nastia Liukin – detailing each of their journeys to fashion and Instagram stardom.

SHOP: LIKEtoKNOW.it, from £17.76 at abebooks.co.uk

Fashion Photography Books

Captivate! Fashion Photography from the 90s

For those with a penchant for all things 90s nostalgia, meet your new authoritative read of the decade. It was the era of the meteoric rise of the supermodel, and who better to guide you through the decade other than the icon herself, Claudia Schiffer. As editor of the book, Schiffer takes readers through with over 130 colour photographs, revealing unseen private archives published for the very first time. Bringing together titan photographers like Ellen Von Unwerth, to the supermodels of Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Cindy Crawford, the book will coincide with an exhibition in Dusseldorf, where Schiffer was first scouted.

SHOP: Prestel, £55 at waterstones.com

Fashion In LA

A cool and contemporary coffee table book guaranteed to brighten any landing, lounge or living area, Fashion in LA details the fascinating buzz surrounding Los Angeles’ eclectic fashion scene.

SHOP: Phaidon, £65 at phaidon.com

Featured Image: Burberry trench coats are made in Yorkshire, England, by an expert team. Courtesy of Burberry