The Fashion Book

by Phaidon Press

The Fashion Book takes a fresh look at the fashion world and the people who created and inspired it.

Spanning almost 200 years, the entire industry is represented; from clothing and footwear designers, to photographers, stylists, icons and retailers, including the new category of educational institutions that have been fundamental in the careers of many of the creative individuals.

Marking the significant changes on the fashion landscape since the first edition, this revision includes updates on existing entries as well as important new names who have fundamentally shaped the way we see fashion, from designers such as Nicholas Ghesquière, Gareth Pugh and Phoebe Philo, influential image makers Mert and Marcus and Mario Sorrenti, and contemporary icons Lady Gaga and Tilda Swinton, representing just a few of the many exciting new figures. New faces rub shoulders with the fashion pioneers of the original edition; such as Coco Chanel, Issey Miyake, Yves Saint Laurent, Kate Moss and Helmut Newton. In keeping in the reference style of the first edition, this new edition reflects a comprehensive view of the fashion industry today.

Easy to use and filled with inspirational images, The Fashion Book is organized as an A-Z guide of names, listing 576 entries across the categories of clothing and accessory designers, photographers, institutions, models and those iconic individuals who instigated or symbolize a whole fashion movement. Cutting through the usual classifications, and organized alphabetically, the book creates unexpected juxtapositions that make fascinating and unlikely partnerships: the powerful Anna Wintour sits opposite the pioneer of modern fashion, Charles Worth while Terry Richardson rubs shoulders with Herb Ritts, and digital print wunderkind Mary Katranzou meets Rei Kawakubo.

Each entry is illustrated with a photograph or drawing from the most important creative talents in the industry - showing a quintessential aspect of their work. An accompanying text describes where they fit into the fashion story and includes essential biographical information about the subject. In addition, The Fashion Book uses a comprehensive cross-referencing system and glossary which explain the many collaborations and techniques used in fashion, that singular business which lives somewhere between art and commerce.

Genres: Fashion, Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Coffee Table Books, Fashion Design, History

592 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 1998

About the author

Phaidon Press is a global publisher of books on art, architecture, design, fashion, photography, and popular culture, as well as cookbooks, children's books, and travel books. The company is based in London and New York City, with additional offices in Paris and Berlin. -wikipedia

Reviews

[Tere Romances Vinaixa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75★

The book is organised in alphabetical order and talks about fashion designers, photographers, important art institutes, shoe designers, models... My favourite people to read about were models and icons, I've always been very fascinated with reading other people's lives (hence why I love biographies). Obviously, some stories were more interesting than others, and I also feel like a lot of important or relevant figures in the art/fashion industry are missing.

[Flower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asha bought this book for a friend at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I got to read it before she gave it to her friend. It is very cool and full of fashion designers from the 1800's to now. 1 pictures each and a paragraph about their life. I wrote down some of the names and googled them. Small but thick book.

[Kathryn Baron · Rating 1 out of 5]

A few interesting plates from the 20's. Mostly much too modern for my taste. Also many of the illustrations are so arty- you have no idea of actual design style. Far too many influencers as well as designers. It's a bad coffee table book. Hardly a reference at all.

Oh and my edition is not mini at all, in fact it's massive. But the ISBN leads here- and I don't care enough to attempt clarification.

[Camilla Nielsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really small A-Z guide of 500 of the most influential names in fashion since the 1860s.

Review of other fashion coffee table books and pictures of the books:
http://happycompletehome.blogspot.dk/...

[Madison Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love looking through this book. The pictures are beautiful, and it is fun to learn about various designers and models as well. Also it looks fabulous sitting out on my nightstand. If you love fashion and are looking for a fun coffee table book look no further!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful information.

[Celia entre páginas | Booktok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tuve el valor de empezar a leerlo en 2023/2024, porque ya me veo más capaz con el inglés. Aunque lo tuve muchos meses parado por la carga de trabajo en la recta final del máster con trabajos, exámenes y el TFM.
Cada página es sobre un personaje, término, modelo, etc. Lo voy leyendo a ratitos.
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Fue un regalo de Carmen, compañera veterana del grado de Historia del Arte en Uniovi. Era la abuelilla de la clase, creo recordar que de Mieres. Como le había dejado muchos apuntes e incluso vendido algunos, y sabía mi amor por la historia de la moda, me regaló este libro. Me hizo una ilusión tremenda, aunque en aquel momento no tenía un buen nivel de inglés, me dio igual. Me encantó el detalle.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re into fashion then this book is cool. A short description on brands, designers, icons, and such. I loved when they gave facts about when a certain designer was the first to do a certain trend of some kind. Many I’d never heard of and some I didn’t know dates back so long ago. Nothing too in detail but fun for fashion lovers.

[Linlin]

I think I will read this book as I love all things fashion. Recently, I bought shoes and did not guess the size. Fortunately alice and olivia customer service https://www.pissedconsumer.com/compan... helped me fix this problem. But before buying there, I read all possible articles just because I like it

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listed alphabetically are designers, models, icons, photographers, editors, milliners, cobblers and a few retailers throughout the past 170 years. Just a few paragraphs on each individual gives enough history and information to interest each reader. The book must weigh 30 pounds.

[Wanie Ain · Rating 5 out of 5]

So nice book in it got many ideas about fashion

[sofia hakobyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting but not for me 😹

[Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629) · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh. Kind of lukewarm for me. There are better fashion coffee table books out there, for me.

[Sajidah Isak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book about fashion. It talks about absolutely everything, from design/designers, models, structure and biographies. In other words, everything you dream of in a fashion book

[noorannina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book about fashion designers, photographers, icons and influencers. Some stunning images too! I learned a lot.

Downside of books like this with information on who’s running what fashion brand is that they outdate easily.

This piece suffers from severe lack of representation. Also I didn’t like the fact that whilst most photographers were referenced, most of the models in the photos were not.

I still recommend this to anyone with an interest in fashion.

[Amaia Cardaño · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro fascinante y muy bien construido e ilustrado. Base de todos los libros de moda. Muy fácil de leer, pero no muy cómodo de llevar a cualquier lado. Ya que pesa mucho. Pero vale la pena. Está en inglés, pero se entiende perfectamente, no hace falta tener muchos conocimientos en el idioma. Sencillo y clave.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like a mini encyclopedia. Even though it needs to be updated, it'd always saved me when I needed a piece of information. It's got a list of influential people in the fashion industry dating back to the 1800's. I reckon this would be ideal for beginner fashion lovers.

[Catalina Cid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una buena referencia para saber quién es quién en el mundo de la moda. Si bien hace una pequeña introducción a cada diseñador, tienda, influencer o marca, es interesante conocer los nombres, marcas y personajes destacados de los últimos 200 años de moda.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good basic reference guide to designers and styles, with excellent cross-linking between styles and individuals.

[W.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The large version is the better coffee table book, lie in bed and read book...but this is also nice...Phaidon does good work...

[Tarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

great photography and history

[Beberton Saint Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

FASHION HIGH!

[Maria Lianou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have bought the bigger edition! It was tiring for the eyes and couldn't fully enjoy the photographs included in the book.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely to look at and shows the fashion greats.

[Alexandra Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gives very, VERY brief descriptions of people and things in the world of fashion. Needs to be updated!

[Nureen shaheerna · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice

[Tabitha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love this little pocket saviour, brilliant for any with an interest in fashion

[Gillian King · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great alphabetical summary of all the famous names - very interesting indeed! I now know that Thomas Burberry was born in Dorking!

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un buen libro para reconocer algunos personajes importantes dentro de la industria de la moda.

[Alan Culler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Patience & Steve!