Six books that are the "fashion bible"
- Jan 7
- 4 min read
2026 is the year we become educated within the industry we want to exist in. No more saying “I love fashion” and then only knowing three designers, two trends and possibly the Met Gala theme. If you care about fashion, and if you’re here, you do, then we owe it to ourselves to understand it properly.
Some of you may be fashion students.
Some of you might already work in the industry.
Or do you simply love clothes and the industry with your whole heart.
Whatever it is, you are all welcome here.
Here’s the truth: we shouldn’t be waiting for a course, tutor, or employer to educate us. The best people in fashion are self-driven, self-taught, curious, and slightly obsessed. Reading is one of the easiest ways to level up your taste, references, and understanding – and it shows in how you dress, talk, write, and think.
So below are six books that I genuinely think could be listed as the “fashion bible” Screenshot, save, order, visit a library, borrow, steal from your sibling’s bookshelf (with permission… maybe).
Do what needs to be done, and just read. If you love fashion, then self-education is the trend.
Gods and Kings - Dana Thomas
A gripping, behind-the-scenes look at John Galliano and Alexander McQueen!
Two of fashion’s most brilliant (and tragic) visionaries. Thomas traces their rise from art-school outsiders to global fashion powerhouses, and the intense pressures that came with it.
When I first read it, it felt more like a thriller than a piece of non-fiction, but it’s also a powerful critique of the luxury industry: creativity vs capitalism, beauty vs burnout. Once you get to the finish line you feel inspired, heartbroken, and much more aware of the harsh realities behind the runway.
André Leon Talley - The Chiffon Trenches
Now this made me feel every emotion under the sun. André Leon Talley had an ability to write that very few possess today. He spoke with a natural flair and passion hung from every note.
This reminiscent narrative reads as part memoir, part fashion history lesson, he writes of his days with Vogue and casually name drops every fashion icon under the sun within 3 chapters! The world of W Mag, Vogue, couture editorials, Met Gala’s, dramatic friendships, and so many front rows… all told by one of fashion’s most unforgettable editors.
Talley writes with humour, vulnerability and shadow – discussing friendship, betrayal, racism in the industry, and his complicated relationship with Anna Wintour as well as Karl Lagerfeld.
It feels more like reading a very articulate diary than anything else. It’s gossipy, but also deeply reflective, honest and emotional. You feel like you’re sitting next to him hearing everything fashion people don’t usually say out loud - and that is why it’s my all time favourite memoir!
Fashionpedia - Fashionary
This is the true practical bible for people who want to understand how clothing actually works. It breaks down textiles, fabric properties, seams, construction, pattern cutting, details, trims, and silhouettes. All with super clear visuals.
It’s entirely fashion knowledge with not an ounce of gossip. Ideal for those who wish to absorb knowledge without the context of who the designer is, more what they did!
Ideal for designers, students, or anyone who wants to speak technically and actually understand how clothes are made.
The Anatomy of Fashion: Why We Dress the Way We Do - Colin McDowell
This one explores the why of fashion. Possibly the most important of the books. Why silhouettes change, why trends return, why we reveal or hide certain parts of the body through time.
It links clothing with history, gender, power, class, identity, and culture while still being very readable. It’s the kind of book that makes you see outfits differently when you walk down the street – which is one of my main goals in life. So, if like me, you like thinking as much as styling, this will be your favourite.
The Fashion Design Directory - Marnie Fogg
Think of this book as a designer dictionary for your brain.
It profiles key designers from the 20th and 21st centuries, outlining their signature styles, recurring themes, and why they matter.
This one is more of a “ok I’m studying now” read but it’s visuals are top-notch and it’s clear, and easy to dip in and out of! Perfect for research, inspiration boards, and brushing up on names you “know but don’t really know.”
If you want to strengthen your references and talk about designers with confidence, this is an essential tool for you to use!
The Fashion Book - Phaidon
Often referred to as the “fashion encyclopedia”, this is a chunky, aesthetically pleasing bible of the industry.
Inside you’ll find designers, photographers, editors, models, and image-makers laid out alphabetically with images and short profiles so it’s basically like Google but without AI, and only fashion! #goals
It’s perfect if you love learning visually or like to flip to random pages for instant inspiration. You won’t ever necessarily read it cover to cover – but be my guest if you so wish – it’s a book you live with on your coffee table and keep returning to when you get a second.
Go self-educate your brains
To me 2026 feels like it has a completely unique vibe, one that says we must romanticise our own self-discovery, and thus the art of self-education.
Read the books. Learn the references. Understand the craft. Listen to a podcast even.
Don’t just “consume” fashion – study it a little. Consume less and create more. That's what 2026 is for. You don’t need permission, a degree, or a fancy job title to know your stuff. You will noticeably be the most knowledgeable person in a room with or without a qualification if you know the facts!
Grab a tea, sit down with a book and read.
With love,
Mimi x
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