By Helen Ray
There’s something about summer that seems to reignite my love affair with books. Maybe it’s the longer days, the promise of holidays or simply the desire to sit outside more; but every summer I find myself reuniting with my dusty library card and searching for the latest page turner to feast my eyes on. Since there’s a long weekend approaching, I’ve compiled a list of books that every fashion lover should immediately dive into. The list is a buffet of fashion novels that suits all tastes—including a style guide, biographies, history of fashion and even a fun murder mystery. Plus they won’t take up too much room in your Fourth of July weekend bag.
1.“#GirlBoss” by Sophia Amoruso
The highly anticipated novel, written by the founder of Nasty Gal, details her rise to success in creating the mega online store and gives straightforward career advice from the “girl boss” herself.
2. “Influenced” by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
The superstar twins compiled a series of interviews with their biggest fashion influences. The interviews are genuine and thoughtful and are meant to provide insight into a few of the highly coveted roles in the world of fashion.
3. “Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible: The Fascinating History of Everything in Your Closet” by Tim Gunn and Ada Calhoun.
The title says it all. This is an informative and fun book that explains the history of fashion. Tim Gunn explains how western fashion has evolved with need to know tidbits about the origin of the clothes we love to wear.
4. “Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life” by Justine Picardie
No fashion list is complete without Chanel. This biography is a tell-all tale of Gabrielle Chanel—from her meager upbringing to the monumental person she became.
5. “Spying in High Heels” by Gemma Halliday
This book is a total guilty pleasure. It doesn’t have anything to do with the industry, but it does involve one fashion obsessed protagonist and a thrilling murder mystery.
6. “The Little Black Book of Style” by Nina Garcia
Fashion director of Elle magazine and notorious judge on Project Runway, Nina Garcia, dishes out her best tips, tricks and how to’s for a complete style guide. It covers everything from casual to formal wear, how to mix patterns and how to develop your own sense of style.