Page turners
If you made a New Year’s resolution to read more books (or, perhaps, spend less time in front of screens) here’s some inspiration. Sure, some of these may feel more like picture books than your average Pulitzer Prize-nominated tome, but there’s definitely something to learn from each. From the legend behind some of the greatest fashion week shows ever produced to the street style stars to be inspired by, Rebecca Tay showcases five fashion books to add to your reading list.
FUN WITH FASHION
Like its title, Gio_Graphy: Fun in the Wild World of Fashion, suggests, the styles of Giovanna Battaglia, contributing fashion editor at W and senior fashion editor at Vogue Japan, are well documented — and well worth studying. The Italian bombshell brings a sense of individuality to all her high fashion ensembles, and her playfulness is a breath of fresh air in an industry that often takes itself way, way too seriously. Chapters, $53.95 | chapters.ca, $40.82
GRAND MASTER
Alexandre de Betak and his company, Bureau Betak, is the creative legend behind some of the most memorable fashion shows of the last 25 years. From Victoria’s Secret and Alexander Wang to The Row, John Galliano and Christian Dior Couture, Betak: Fashion Show Revolution, written in conjunction with Vogue’s digital creative director Sally Singer, goes behind the scenes to show his creative process and the art and commerce of fashion. Amazon, $140 |amazon.ca, $89.39
IT’S DIOR, DARLING
So, Hedi Slimane has gone to Celine, and it’s surely just days before a new creative director will be announced at Burberry. Can’t keep up with all the fashion house changes? Take a break from it all and revisit history in Dior by Christian Dior: 1947-1957, published to mark the storied house’s 70th anniversary. net-a-porter.com | US$195
90S ICON
The ’90s have been back in fashion for a while, but this book, out March 6, is devoted to another 90s altogether: 96-year-old style icon Iris Apfel. Celebrated for her unabashed outfits — which are often a cacophony of colour, print and texture — Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon is a book for anyone, fashion lover or not, who appreciates eccentricity, originality and a bold imagination. Chapters, chapters.indigo.ca | $43.50
TABLE MANNERS
If, like Instagram, you’re all about amazing outfits and oh-so-photogenic food, Edible Ensembles: From Banana Peel Jumpsuits to Kale Frocks is the book for you. Featuring illustrations by Gretchen Roehrs and hitting shelves on Feb. 18, it’ll be a coffee-table book you’ll crack open time and again. Chapters, $33.50 | chapters.ca, $30.15