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The Fashion Book

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An inspirational reference work takes a fresh look at the fashion world and the people who created it, serving as an A-Z guide to 500 key figures in the fashion industry--including pioneering designers, influential photographers and models--and providing a comprehensive cross-referencing system and glossary. Original.

520 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 1998

56 people are currently reading
3186 people want to read

About the author

Phaidon Press

217 books427 followers
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

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5 stars
650 (43%)
4 stars
417 (27%)
3 stars
290 (19%)
2 stars
100 (6%)
1 star
50 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Tere Romances Vinaixa.
384 reviews83 followers
February 1, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Flower.
303 reviews15 followers
November 26, 2009
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.
1,166 reviews4 followers
February 4, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Madison Brown.
11 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2016
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!
Profile Image for Ashley.
1,117 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2018
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.
43 reviews
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October 17, 2023
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
1,017 reviews
September 15, 2023
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.
Profile Image for Sajidah Isak.
14 reviews
July 21, 2025
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
Profile Image for noorannina.
223 reviews83 followers
February 27, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Amaia Cardaño.
209 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2016
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.
Profile Image for Sophia.
12 reviews6 followers
February 25, 2013
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.
Profile Image for Catalina Cid.
11 reviews
March 2, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Emma.
31 reviews15 followers
April 27, 2007
really good basic reference guide to designers and styles, with excellent cross-linking between styles and individuals.
Profile Image for W.B..
Author 4 books129 followers
January 11, 2008
The large version is the better coffee table book, lie in bed and read book...but this is also nice...Phaidon does good work...
Profile Image for Lori.
8 reviews2 followers
October 28, 2012
Lovely to look at and shows the fashion greats.
12 reviews
January 11, 2015
Absolutely love this little pocket saviour, brilliant for any with an interest in fashion
Profile Image for Gillian King.
28 reviews
February 4, 2017
A great alphabetical summary of all the famous names - very interesting indeed! I now know that Thomas Burberry was born in Dorking!
Profile Image for Ariana.
6 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2022
Es un buen libro para reconocer algunos personajes importantes dentro de la industria de la moda.
Profile Image for Ana.
2 reviews2 followers
November 26, 2009
I don't think I would ever get rid of this book!! Its like a mini encyclopedia!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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