The fashion industry is full of variety and is constantly changing. Because of this, there are many different courses to choose from at many different universities.

If you are thinking of taking a fashion course or you are already studying fashion and wish to grow and diversify your knowledge, these are 14 books that every fashion student should read.

#1 Simply Halston

 

Simply Halston is a thorough and sensational read unveiling the life of famous fashion name Roy Halston (as well as other captivating personalities in his orbit.) His designs captured a sophisticated, modern American look and flourished. Simply Halston is a front row seat capturing how fashion was formed in the ’70s and incorporated culture, music and art.

 

#2 The End of Fashion

 

In order to pursue a career in fashion, you must first and foremost build a knowledge and understanding of the history of the fashion industry. Among the most important lessons to be learned are those regarding the fashion world transition from elitist-focused to mass market-centric. Agins does a wonderful job of explaining the how’s and why’s in this piece of required fashion reading.

 

3 A Dedicated Follower of Fashion

 

This book offers a compendium of essays from journalist Holly Brubach, a former style editor at the New York Times. The book covers a broad range of topics that provide an encompassing and insightful perspective on fashion from garments to accessories and the personalities behind them.

 

#4 Fashion Forecasting

 

Fashion Forecasting is an easy read with a natural progression. The author starts at the very basic level of what forecasting is and why it is so important for fashion designers and goes into explaining how the trend predictions are actually conceived by various companies and councils.

Brannon also shows the reader how to incorporate fashion forecasting into your business while not being a slave to it!

 

#5 Balenciaga: The Master of Us All

 

This book gives us a closer look into the life and mind of the genius that was Cristobal Balenciaga, whose legacy has influenced other designers for generations. While much about him remains a mystery, this biography paints a portrait of a perfectionist of his metier that should instruct and inspire any student of fashion.

#6 Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers

 

All fashion students, especially those that specialize in design, will benefit from a thorough understanding of sewing construction. This book is a complete and detailed sewing manual that teaches students the construction skills that they will need to execute their own designs. Illustrations of techniques are provided.

#7 100 Years of Fashion Illustration

 

This is one of the most thorough books on fashion illustration. It is a must read for any student studying and drawing fashion and will inspire one’s style and technique.

#8 Portfolio Presentations

Portfolio Presentations by Linda Tain emphasizes the importance of having the right type of portfolio in the fashion industry. In this book, the author discloses plenty of vital information as well as providing tomorrow’s fashion leaders with much to be inspired by. She also reveals the style of drawings that will get you noticed by fashion houses.

#9 The Little Dictionary Of Fashion

 

Trends come and trends go but some fashion rules are more like laws and will last forever. Christian Dior provides the most essential and timeless fashion and style tips that have helped to define the fashion industry. This is not only a fun read but an excellent book to have on hand to reference.

#10 Empress of Fashion

Before there was Anna Wintour, there was Diana Vreeland. She is a huge part of fashion magazine history and this book on her life gives the reader an insight to how the fashion editorial world was shaped.

#11 Style A to Zoe

Rachel Zoe is the first stylist who became an actual celebrity for her work in fashion. The stylist is famous for being behind some of the chicest looks worn by the Hollywood ‘in crowd’ and is an inspiration to budding stylists everywhere.

#12 Patternmaking for Fashion Design 5th edition

This book is an exceptionally good manual for Patternmaking. It is full of tips, techniques and solutions for common problems and challenges when creating patterns and is considered to be an essential by countless professionals

#13 The Spec Manual 2nd edition

 

This book is a comprehensive guide for measuring garments using standard industry practices. It includes helpful tools such as spec sheet templates; illustrated measurement points and tables with measurement points.

Info about how to create computer-generated spec sheets is also included, but it is learning the principles of creating accurate specs that is so valuable as this is how a designer will communicate garment construction to a production facility

#14 The Fashion Sketchbook – 6th Edition

 

The Fashion Sketchbook explains the fashion drawing process with step-by-step instructions and images throughout the text. It details instructions on how to draw women, men and children as well as figure positions, poses, accessories and clothing details. The book is essential for gaining the skills to communicate a designers’ ideas effectively

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