Must-reads for any fashion enthusiast, perfect for summer, according to the team of Maglificio Pini
Summer is the perfect time to relax and indulge in a good book to read. If you are passionate about reading and fashion – as we are at Maglificio Pini – we suggest a selection of must-reads to take on vacation.
So here are nine essential reads that explore various aspects of the fashion world… plus a final bonus for the true experts!
1. Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, by Dana Thomas
Fashionopolis is the ultimate book on the cost of fast fashion and how fashion is ruining the planet. If the clothing industry’s exploitation of humans and the environment is at epic levels, what can each of us do about it? In her book, bestselling author and journalist Dana Thomas tries to answer not only by describing the damage caused by fashion, but also by celebrating activists, artisans, designers and entrepreneurs that are fighting for change.
2. The World According to Coco, by Patrick Mauriès and Jean-Christophe Napias
The World According to Coco collects the designer’s most famous maxims on fashion, women, and life. This book offers a fascinating insight into Coco Chanel’s philosophy, enriched with anecdotes and quotes that reveal the thinking behind one of the most iconic figures in recent history. In the same series you will also find The World According to Christian Dior, Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent, for a complete immersion in the thinking of these great designers.
3. Vivienne Westwood, by Vivienne Westwood and Ian Kelly
Vivienne Westwood narrates the life of the British fashion designer by tracing her most important moments, from childhood to success, without neglecting her social and political engagement as an activist for environmental, human and civil rights organizations. The book explores Westwood’s personal contribution to the environmental cause through “Climate Revolution” and the Active Resistance to Propaganda manifesto, offering a comprehensive portrait of a revolutionary figure in contemporary fashion.
4. Fashionpedia: The Visual Dictionary of Fashion Design, by Fashionary
Fashionpedia is a visual encyclopedia of all the clothing styles on the market, with infographics and detailed descriptions (in English). Whether you are an insider or a fashion expert, Fashionpedia is in a nutshell everything you will need to navigate the world of fashion. With its clear images and user-friendly format, it is an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about fashion design.
5. L’alfabeto della moda. Il mondo della moda di oggi in 26 lettere, by Andrea Batilla
L’alfabeto della Moda (“The Alphabet of Fashion”) is a real map to orient yourself in the world of past and contemporary fashion, as well as to understand its sociological and cultural mechanisms, from A to Z. In addition, this book is also a reflection on a world bewitched by advertising and social networks, caught in the grip of events, balanced between fear and desire, painted by the pen of Andrea Batilla, an irreverent voice and reference point in the industry.
6. Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, by Elizabeth L. Cline
Overdressed is an investigation with a global scope by New York journalist Elizabeth L. Cline into the impact of fast fashion on the environment and our personal lives. When we buy cheap clothes, we should know that the price displayed is never the right price: these are “bargains” that we pay dearly for. In fact, the book explores the true cost of low-priced fashion, from the poor quality of fabrics to the wages of workers and the loss of jobs and know-how.
7. Rebel Stylist: Caroline Baker, by Iain R. Webb
Rebel Stylist is a compelling book about the woman who challenged the status quo and made history by popularizing street fashion in the mass market. Caroline Baker is the antidote to haute couture, editor of Nova magazine in the 1960s and 1970s and the go-to stylist for designers such as Katharine Hamnett and Vivienne Westwood. The book dedicated to her offers an overview of Baker’s work, accompanied by personal commentary and contributions from leading designers.
8. I’ll Drink to That: New York’s Legendary Personal Shopper and Her Life in Style, by Betty Halbreich
I’ll Drink to That tells the story of personal shopper Betty Halbreich, who spent nearly four decades working at Bergdorf Goodman with socialites, stars, and everyday people. Betty has helped many women discover their true selves through clothes, offering style advice and personal stories that make the book an especially fascinating and inspiring read for anyone who loves fashion.
9. Manuale pratico sentimentale di stile per sopravvivere alla moda e anche a sé stessi, by Alessandra Airò
Manuale pratico sentimentale di stile (“Sentimental practical manual of style”) is a compendium of tips and anecdotes, written in a humorous, colloquial and engaging way. It offers tips on shoes, bon ton, outfits for every occasion, home décor, mise en place, perfect places to shop and more, making it a practical, and rather entertaining, guide to navigating the fashion world with style and personality.
Bonus: any book of the Catwalk series published by Thames & Hudson
The Catwalk series by Thames & Hudson’s collects all the fashion shows of the world’s leading fashion houses. A few names? Dior, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Chloé, Versace, Givenchy, and many others. Each volume offers an unparalleled overview of the collections through thousands of dresses, accessories and looks in over a thousand photographs. The series is a must for true fashion enthusiasts, offering a meticulous look at the creations of the greatest designers.
With this selection of books, you can immerse yourself in the world of fashion, be captivated by the genius of its protagonists, investigate the dark sides and discover fascinating and inspiring stories. Enjoy your reading… and let us know if you liked our suggestions!