7 Inspirational Books

November 25, 2024

Knock, knock. Is this the designer’s library?

If you’ve heard the “Stop buying so many clothes” lectures, just hand over a book and tell them you’re not just shopping for clothes (but books too). If you don’t know which book to read and lazy to dig around, check this out. We’ve gathered a list of books that have inspired the fashion world.

   

How sexy is someone who reads?

For those of us who already have a lot of interest in fashion, what we need now is ‘intellectual appeal’. In English-speaking countries, there’s a term called ‘sapiosexual’ for people who find intelligence sexually attractive. The term might be new, but the idea isn’t. Across cultures and ages, intelligent people are universally seen as attractive. It’s similar to how we view ‘brainy’ individuals.

    

 

ⓒgaiapolloni.com
   
Reading really boosts that intellectual allure. Not every bookworm is automatically attractive, but a lot of the most charming people are definitely big readers.
  
Take a look at the Instagram account @hotdudesreading, where they post pics of guys deep into their books. Just seeing the photos makes it clear why they have over a million followers. Scenes like these aren’t something you run into every day.
    

@hotdudesreading

    

With short-form content taking over, books have been swapped out for smartphones. In a world where everything’s just a tap away, reading is a slow process that demands patience. It’s about imagining what isn’t right in front of you, seeing things from a fresh angle, and rethinking what you already know—stuff that doesn’t happen instantly. These kinds of tasks go down in the prefrontal cortex, which takes more energy and time than quick-hit activities.

       

ⓒUnderstood for All, Inc.
    

The hopeful thing is that all humans are born with similar brains. However, as time goes on, our brains change based on our experiences and learning. This is known as the brain's "plasticity." It means that how we use our brain and what we think about can actually reshape it. (How fascinating—and a bit daunting—is that?) That’s why reading is essential for brain development, no matter your age. So why wouldn’t you want to read a book?

 

Books That Inspired Designers and (Their) Collections

Marc Jacobs ⓒinstagram.com

   

Introducing the books that have been especially beloved in the fashion world. They’re not just about fashion. Since fashion reflects our lives, it has often been influenced by literary works that capture the full spectrum of human experience. If you’re unsure what to read next, take a look at these books. There’s a reason why some of the top designers have drawn inspiration from them.

   

<Orlando> by Virginia Woolf

ⓒmediafine.co.kr
   
Virginia Woolf, best known for A Room of One’s Own, wrote Orlando as a passion project, without the pressure of creating something monumental. Set during Elizabeth I's reign, this novel catches attention with its bold subject matter.
   
The main character, Orlando, spans 400 years, transitioning from male to female, and discovering their true self beyond gender. This concept of "gender fluidity" was way ahead of its time, especially considering the book was first published in 1928. That’s why Orlando has become a cultural touchstone in the LGBTQ+ community and is often referenced in gender studies.
  
Movie <ORLANDO> ⓒmovie.daum.net
  
The ANN DEMEULEMEESTER FW07 collection brought Virginia Woolf’s Orlando to the runway, giving 21st-century avant-garde a whole new twist.
   
ANN DEMEULEMEESTER FW07
ⓒvogue.com
    
Christopher Bailey’s BURBERRY FW16 show drew inspiration from the character Orlando in the novel. Just like the character, the show embraced a free-spirited and unconventional approach. It was BURBERRY’s first show to feature both men's and women's collections together, with the silhouettes reflecting the Elizabethan vibe captured by Virginia Woolf.
   
BURBERRY FW16 ⓒvogue.com
Front cover of Virginia Woolf's Orlando, first edition published by Hogarth Press, 1928. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. ⓒvam.ac.uk, ⓒelle.com
   
Rei Kawakubo’s COMME des GARÇONS showcased a three-part collection inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, called Ode to Orlando. Embracing the character’s free-spirited essence, this collection featured both the SS20 menswear and womenswear shows.
   
ⓒdezeen.com
   
The first female-directed production in the 150-year history of the Vienna State Opera was Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, with costumes designed by Rei Kawakubo.
   
COMME des GARCONS SS20 ⓒwwd.com
ⓒvogue.com
    
The mix of opera’s epic vibes, haute couture fabrics and colors, and stunning embroidery really captures Kawakubo’s bold take on identity and gender.

   

ⓒhintmag.com
  
Kawakubo found the perfect balance between the strength expected of men and what’s often seen as fragility, turning that inner softness into something extraordinary with her designs. It’s like Virginia Woolf chose Orlando to explore the simple, yet profound, idea of wanting to experience life as a boy.

  

<Notes On "Camp">, <As Consciousness Is Harnessed to Flesh> by Susan Sontag

"As far as I know, every intelligent, independent, active, or passionate girl I’ve met has at some point thought about wanting to be a boy. (...) It’s about wishing for a gender that enjoys more freedom." — From The Words of Susan Sontag
  

Susan Sontag isn’t just a name; she’s a cultural icon. As a playwright, filmmaker, theater director, cultural critic, and activist, she constantly reinvented herself, embodying the essence of a dynamic intellectual. She remains a key figure in American culture.

  

ⓒamazon.uk
    
"Susan Sontag has been with me through all these years. She wrote about everything that shapes my life—issues like controversial conflicts, AIDS and disease, human rights, and art and culture." — Michèle Lamy
    
ⓒanothermag.com
     
The legendary figure in the fashion world and Rick Owens' partner, Michèle Lamy, has mentioned Susan Sontag's works as a source of inspiration for her.
       

 

ⓒlibrairiesanstitre.com

   

Susan Sontag’s Notes on Camp offers 58 reflections on the concept of camp. This book served as a key inspiration for Rei Kawakubo's FW18 collection. But what exactly is camp?

Camp refers to the art and attitudes associated with the subcultures of the 1950s. As Susan Sontag put it, “Camp taste is about enjoyment, not judgment or discernment. That’s why camp is so generous.”

 

COMME des GARCONS FW18
ⓒvogue.com

    

Exaggerated lace, dramatic frills, bold patterns—could it get any more opulent? It’s style for the sake of style, where form takes precedence over function. This is Kawakubo’s interpretation of “camp.” Her FW18 collection, inspired by Susan Sontag, brings forth a new vision of clothing that embodies the essence of camp: impossible to pin down in words but deeply evocative. For anyone who remembers Kawakubo’s ‘80s collections—dubbed “Hiroshima chic” for their austere monochromes of black and white—this vibrant burst of exuberance marks a strikingly fresh chapter in her ever-evolving narrative.

 

<Frankenstein>by Mary Shelley

ⓒautocrit.com

Frankenstein, written in 1823, is one of the most influential Gothic novels. It’s about Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who tries to create a living, thinking being. With its dark vibes and intense imagery, Frankenstein has become a go-to reference in fashion, popping up in everything from Alexander McQueen’s SS99 show to PRADA.

 

Alexander McQueen SS99, Christopher Kane SS13, PRADA FW19 Men ⓒvogue.fr, ⓒvogue.fr, ⓒmodels.com
 

Alessandro Michele also mentioned in the show notes for Gucci's FW18 collection, "We're all like Dr. Frankenstein in our own lives." He suggested that through invention, assembly, and experimentation, we can discover our identities through fashion. 

GUCCI FW18 ⓒyoutube.com

<The Island of Doctor Moreau> by Herbert George Wells

ⓒUnity Books
    

A surprisingly 21st-century novel written in the 19th century—this is the story of The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, the father of science fiction. Alexander McQueen even drew inspiration from this book for his FW97 collection, aptly named “It's a Jungle Out There.”

      
Alexander McQUEEN FW97 ⓒvogue.com
   

In The Island of Dr. Moreau, shipwreck survivor Edward Prendick lands on the island of Dr. Moreau, a scientist who’s into some seriously twisted experiments. Following Prendick’s journey makes you question what it really means to be human. McQueen took this book’s wild vibes and turned them into over-the-top cat-inspired makeup and fierce fur looks for his runway, making it one of his most iconic shows.

   

Sometimes, a few lines of poetry can take you to another world. McQueen also channeled Dante, the Italian poet behind The Divine Comedy, in his FW96 collection.

     

Alexander McQUEEN FW96 ⓒvogue.com
      

This show was McQueen’s breakthrough, making him a major name in fashion. Known for his bold claim that "all the wars in the world are caused by religion," he combined themes of sacrilege and beauty in this collection.

      

 <MUMBO JUMBO> by ISHMAEL REED

ⓒamazon.com

      

The term mumbo jumbo refers to meaningless talk or jargon. It originated in 18th-century Africa, where explorers and missionaries recorded their experiences. Francis Moore mentioned it in his 1738 book Travels into the Inland Parts of Africa, describing a scary ghost called ‘Mumbo Jumbo’ that frightened women.

   
In the 1920s novel Mumbo Jumbo, a fictional plague makes half of America go wild with dancing and jazz fever. This so-called plague, named Jes Grow, spreads from Black artists. The book mixes satire with jazz, magic, and conspiracy theories, and it was a key inspiration for Grace Wales Bonner’s Wales Bonner FW19 collection.

       

ⓒshowstudio.com
 

The reason? Wales Bonner's work consistently explores Black culture and identity through fashion. This collection follows that same path, delving into African intellectual traditions and reflecting on her own roots.

  

<The Handmaid’s Tale> by Margaret Atwood

ⓒamazon.com
   

Women whose value is judged solely on whether they can have babies—that’s the world in The Handmaid's Tale, written in 1985. This dystopian novel imagines a future where a patriarchal, Bible-based Christian group has toppled the U.S. government and shows what life is like under this harsh regime.

    
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ - Hulu ⓒcosmopolitan.com
The intense story isn’t the only unforgettable part—those bold red robes and white bonnets make a serious statement. New York-based fashion label VAQUERA has put their own spin on these iconic looks for the runway.
   

  

VAQUERA x The Handmaid’s Tale collaboration, ⓒdazeddigital.com

<Little Life> by Hanya Yanagihara

ⓒgoodreads.com
   

The cover alone speaks volumes of the profound suffering within, a life so barren that even tears have run dry. A Little Life intricately explores the lives of characters like Jude, who grapples with the enduring trauma of childhood abuse and violence. Since its 2015 debut, it has been a major contender for both the Booker Prize and the National Book Award, solidifying its status as a literary sensation. Lauded as "book of the year" by numerous publications, it is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. Adding to its allure, author Hanya Yanagihara is not only a celebrated novelist but also the editor of a magazine, making her creative vision all the more compelling.

 
For the SS24 show, VALENTINO sent out copies of the book printed in “Valentino Pink” ink to guests. The book? A copy of A Little Life.
  

 

ⓒpollysfittingroom.com
VALENTINO SS24 ⓒfuckingyoung.es

 

In the “The Narratives” collection, jackets, bags, and jeans feature printed quotes directly from A Little Life, making the book’s message instantly clear. This really shows how deeply Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli was into the book. He mentioned, “The relationships, humanity, vulnerability, and resilience of the four male characters moved and inspired me.” VALENTINO’s ongoing love for literature shines through, with previous collections also drawing inspiration from books.

 

“Everything we experience is fashion.”

ⓒvintag.es

    

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel once said, “Fashion is in the wind; it exists in the air. People feel fashion and breathe it in. Fashion isn’t just about clothes. It’s in the sky, on the streets, and it’s connected to our thoughts, ways of life, and everything that happens.” According to Chanel, fashion goes beyond visible clothing and accessories. Enjoying beautiful music, appreciating art, and reading a great book—these are all part of fashion.

     

ⓒtheselby.com

     

Karl Lagerfeld, who once led CHANEL, was also famous for his love of reading. While his life was multifaceted, no one can deny his incredible ability to steer a brand. It’s clear that his passion for reading played a significant role in his success.
     

The fashion we adore draws inspiration from books. How many books do you read in a month? If you find it hard to answer, it’s never too late to start. Begin with topics that interest you and build from there. After all, it’s great for your brain too.