Okay, so if you’re Googling “the best fashion books for aspiring designers”, you’re probably like me a few years ago—hungry for something more than glossy Instagram inspo. Something that makes you feel like, yes, I could actually do this.
I’m not a fashion school grad. I’m a Queens girl who used to sketch dresses on the back of bodega receipts while waiting for the 7 train. And these books? They’ve been my teachers, my pep talks, my weird, glamorous friends.
Back in 8th grade (true story), I wore two different shoes to school—not on purpose. Monday brain. And honestly? It kinda sums up my whole vibe: messy, but trying. These fashion books made me realize you can start there—messy—and still build something iconic.
Why Fashion Books Matter More Than Pinterest Boards
We all love a good mood board, but here’s the thing: real books give you the story behind the pretty pictures. They show the failures, the weird beginnings, the years before a designer “made it.”
And for aspiring designers, that’s gold. Because it’s easy to think everyone just wakes up and becomes Coco Chanel. Spoiler: they don’t.
The Best Fashion Books for Aspiring Designers That Changed Me
These aren’t just coffee table props. These are the ones that made me grab a pencil and start sketching again.
1. “Fashion Design Course” by Steven Faerm
This is basically the book I wish I had in high school. It breaks down the whole process—research, sketching, fabrics, creating a collection—but in a way that doesn’t feel like a dry textbook.
I read mine on the laundromat folding table while waiting for my spin cycle. People stared. I didn’t care. Because suddenly I understood how a mood board turns into a runway show.
(Outbound link suggestion: Fashion Design Course – Thames & Hudson)
2. “The Fashion Designer Survival Guide” by Mary Gehlhar
If the first book is about creativity, this one is about survival. Contracts, budgets, dealing with buyers—stuff no one puts on Instagram but will absolutely trip you up.
I once spilled iced coffee on my copy (RIP) while reading the chapter on production timelines. Irony. But I still think every aspiring designer needs it. It’s like that brutally honest friend who’ll tell you your seam is crooked.
3. “Patternmaking for Fashion Design” by Helen Joseph-Armstrong
This is a classic. It’s also a doorstopper—seriously heavy. But if you’ve ever wanted to understand how a flat drawing becomes a 3D garment, this is it.
I used to flip through it while sitting cross-legged on my fire escape, sketchpad on my lap, watching the 7 train go by. It made me realize: designers are basically engineers with better shoes.
4. “Dior by Dior” by Christian Dior
If you’re going to be a designer, you need to hear it from the legends. Dior’s memoir is wild because it’s not just about dresses—it’s about war, reinvention, and a man who didn’t even start his brand until his 40s.
I read this on a rainy Sunday in my kitchen with a candle burning, and it felt like he was right there, telling me: “It’s never too late.”
(Outbound link suggestion: Dior by Dior – V&A Publishing)
5. “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” by Andrew Bolton
This one’s more visual, but oh my god, the inspiration. It’s the book version of that Met exhibition everyone still talks about. Feathers, skulls, weirdness—McQueen was fearless.
Every time I flip through it, I want to push my sketches further. Make something uncomfortable. Make something unforgettable.
6. “Fashionopolis” by Dana Thomas
This is the book that made me think about the future of fashion—sustainability, ethics, tech. Because being a designer now isn’t just about making pretty clothes; it’s about making them responsibly.
I underlined a part about zero-waste design while eating a bodega sandwich. Mustard on page 42. No regrets.
(Outbound link suggestion: Fashionopolis – Penguin Random House)
Books That Make You Feel Like You’re in the Studio
Some books don’t just teach—they vibe. They make you feel like you’re sitting at a worktable with fabric scraps and half-drunk lattes.
- “In Vogue: An Illustrated History of the World’s Most Famous Fashion Magazine” (for the industry gossip and the visuals)
- “Women in Clothes” by Sheila Heti et al. (not a guidebook but weirdly inspiring)
(Internal link suggestion: link “half-drunk lattes” to your own blog post “DIY Home Renovation Tips That Save You Thousands” for a quirky crossover about messy tables and creativity.)
Where I Find These Fashion Design Books Without Spending My Rent Money
Because these books aren’t cheap, and my Queens apartment is not a mansion:
- The Strand in Manhattan—floor-to-ceiling design books. Bring a tote. (The Strand Books link)
- Public Libraries (I once found “Savage Beauty” at the Queens Library—no joke.)
- Online secondhand stores like ThriftBooks or AbeBooks
Weird Ways I Read Them (Because This is Me)
- I sketch while reading.
- I dog-ear pages. (Sorry, purists.)
- I read on the subway and sometimes drop my pencil on someone’s shoe.
- I spill coffee, always.
These books have ketchup stains, pen marks, post-it notes. They’re living objects, not museum pieces.
Why These Fashion Books Matter if You’re Aspiring
Because they tell you the truth. They show you the glamour but also the grind. They make you feel less alone when you’re sewing at midnight with bad lighting and a questionable snack.
I can’t promise these books will make you the next McQueen. But I can promise they’ll make you think, sketch, and dream differently. And that’s kind of the point.
Also, if you ever see me on the 7 train with a giant book and a bagel balanced on my lap—mind your business.
Outbound Links Recap
- Fashion Design Course – Thames & Hudson
- Dior by Dior – V&A Publishing
- Fashionopolis – Penguin Random House
- The Strand Books NYC
