#NerdAlert- My Top Fashion Reads [Books & Magazines]

ALL ABOARD THE LONG POST TRAIN--- once again!

Today's post is regarding books. *Booooooo get off the stage* that could be most people's reactions, but hey ho give me a chance. I'm not someone who's a massive reader, and I believe it doesn't matter what kind of books you read, as long as you do. I've had numerous books given to me as presents which I haven't read or haven't been interested in.. Sorry Gone Girl (I tried). Then I realised as my collection got bigger and bigger my specific genre of book is Fashion. So if you're interested in fashion, or even studying it or just want to read this post I will continue.

 Below is a few I recommend and my current wishlists of books.

Inspiration & Motivational People:

Fair play to everyone, we all have different people that inspire us for many different reasons. If they don't inspire me I'm fascinated by their work. In your collection of books, especially if you're ever feeling down, motivational books are fab!

Annie Leibovitz At Work most recognised well (she's recognised and remarkable in the fashion industry) for her Alice In Wonderland Vogue Shoot and also shooting the Rolling Stones Cover, with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, which was the last photo before he died.

A Memoir of Grace Coddington... how do I begin to explain Grace Coddington. Well first she's the Creative Director of Vogue and kinda "rose to fame" with the release of The September Issue documentary... known for her charm yet bluntness and particularly not wanting to be involved over the 'whoo haa' of the industry. What I admire most about Grace is her work ethic and the background story of how she got to Vogue, and her life as child.

Alexa Chung IT- we all at question why and how did she get famous?! It just happened, from being a model, to presenter, to fashion icon, to designer and to a writer... she's done everything. As much as I admire her work ethic, however that doesn't interest me as much as the other two, however as many of us girl crush over Alexa Chung, I wanted something to fill that gap of what I didn't know about her life, this was more of a diary opening up about her feelings, style, friends and inspiration. Which satisified me until I can get hold of something else.

Content & History:

It's always nice to have a little bit more knowledge in there. At university I was recommended The Chronology of Fashion, but get me I was one step ahead and already had this for a year- go Sib, go Sib- woop woo. I have found many books on the history of fashion quite draining, dull and not informative. This book is perfect as it goes through all different aspects of fashion from clothes, fabric, trends, eras and much more in such depth. You will be bombarded with knowledge.. but that's what you should get from a book- Brilliant.

Not as informative as the previous, but the Taschen 365, Day- by- day, 20th Century Fashion Ads. If you're interested in fashion ads and graphic design this is perfect as all you want is pictures and the odd quotes. It's a great insight, but also sad to see how advertising has changed over the years. I miss that it's not as arty in the advertising industry now. Great for students doing visual projects and design for inspiration.

What We Wore: A People's History of British Style- What I loved about this book the most, and which you probably will is that the book is in a personal view. You get to learn about British Style through people's own personal family photos and stories. Spread across over 50 years you get to see what people wore, all the "cool" places to hang out. It kind of gives you the perspective that you were there with them living it. This book made me extremely jealous!

Street Style

Last year I started studying International Fashion Promotion, and one of the module was Global Fashion Cultures- which was hugely influenced on Street Style. Especially from the blogging world we all know how influencial street style is today, but it's so interesting to see how the different cities, sub-cultures, and eras had their impact on society.

The Paris & Berlin Street Style books- I find these books ideal if you're wanting to go on holiday, or simply love travelling. I still haven't been to Berlin but I will do one day... these books aren't just about street style which in fact beat my expectations of the book, which is good. They provide you more of an insight into the lifestyle of these cities, with the best hangouts, architecture, shops and then obviously the wardrobe staple pieces. I find these books inspiring, enlightening and informative.

100 Ideas That Changed Street Style & Street Style by Ted Polhemus: If you want to look at Street Style from the subculture side... these two books are the best! It goes through each subcultures (one's you didn't even know existed) in depth, with excellent photography.- Also the books are so update which even today's subcultures, which is an added bonus.

This is Ted Polhemus second edition of Street Style, and to be honest I recommended this over the first one, however many may disagree but I suppose that's all down to personal preference. This is one I definitely recommend as Polhemus provides you in detail  political, racial or artists influences on trends, which is ideal for all you students righting essays out there. As this was my "holy grail" at the time.

Magazines:

Whilst we still all read our Vogue, Elle etc... there's a new surface of magazines that is such a growing market into todays industry. Independent magazines... I find these more suitable for a specific target audience rather than the high fashion ones. These are my three favourite ones even though the Rookie Yearbook, is well kinda classed, and kinda not classed as a magazine.. but hey ho there's no harm slipping it in.

I find these much more open and interactive with the audience in the sense there's more personal interest, and the idea of real women. Even though celebrities are in it, I don't feel like they are selling false belief and you must have a certain "look".

WishList

Have you read any of these.... tell me what you think?!

Wow! I'm now in the biggest food coma, anyway I hope you enjoyed this post. Hopefully soon I get the books on my wishlist and then I tell you any more recommendation in the future.

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