A Fashion Year in Review

By Paige McKirahan

 

As 2018 is coming to a close and everyone is making big plans for 2019, we here at TalkingFashion thought it would be remiss to not shed light on some of the industry’s favorite books, blogs, and moguls from this year. Whether you’re looking for those last minute gifts for late holiday parties or trying to find the perfect obsession to carry over into the new year, we’ve got you covered!

When it comes to fashion in literature, there is no shortage of publications covering everything from history to technical design. Read on to see our top books of 2018 that are sure to be a coffee table hit!

 

For the history buff:

Francesca Liberatore is a biographical novel discussing the life of Italian designer who worked for some of the most infamous fashion houses in couture history, including one belonging to none other than Jean-Paul Gaultier. Even though this title is not yet published (release date February 2^nd, 2019), it is highly anticipated by fashion readers all over the globe.

Ferris Bueller: Catharsis is a photographic novel showing the fashionable archives found in one’s childhood bedroom located in Queens, New York. The room, which belonged to marketing consultant Rodney Bailey, shows us how styles survive the test of time and how some don’t share a similar fate.

 

 

Stephanie Pfriender Stylander: The Untamed Eye dissects how photographer Stephanie Stylander navigated the wild climate of the fashion industry in the 1990s. She was, at the very least, one of the most cinematic photographers of her time and she worked with all of the greats not only in fashion, but in the entertainment industry as well.

Tudors to Windsors shows 500 years of British royalty depicted in photographs and other artworks, exploring dynasties by year and fashion. These images embrace how the royals they display would have been interpreted based upon the popular culture and contemporary styles of the time, offering great insight into portraiture and trends. 

 

For the model and subject obsessed:

Overworked Body #2: An Anthology of 2000s Dress features a complication of photos that have been recreated based upon iconic interpretations of fashion from the past two decades. These reimaginations are so popular that the book has been out of stock consistently since its release.

 

 

Posturing aims to discuss aesthetics in fashion shoots and how models and photographers work with the body to create visually stimulating image. It tells readers how these positions work to tell stories and discusses how what the body means is ever evolving. 

Schoeller: Close bounds 120 portraits featuring some of the world’s most famous people across all mediums ranging from fashion and politics to entertainment, and sports. These up close and personal shots are all have identical compositions, but also have different moods because of the subjects’ different looks.

 

For the design lovers:

 

 

Hermes Pop-Up is the quintessential pop up for fashion lovers; its annual release illustrates the luxury brand’s upcoming creative direction for the year in the most stimulating way. The book expands on their iconic scarf designs and has now become a beloved tradition that began in 1987 for the brand’s 150^th anniversary. This year’s theme? Lets Play!

Jewellery: Art Nouveau to 3D Printing aims to present a comprehensive collection of jewelry and its respective designers starting at the beginning of the 20^th century and spanning to the present. It examines pieces from all around the globe that are made from a multitude of materials and explores the influence of art movements on the design of these jewels.

Italian Tailoring discusses the longstanding traditions and technical practices in Italian garment making. The longstanding legacy of elegant, good styling and appreciation is widely associated with Italian pieces and this insider view profiles 28 iconic tailoring shops in Italy and the designers that created them.

 

Moving on to our favorite blogs (other ours, of course), it seems that 2018 was truly the year that this genre of writing became overtly popular. From moms to fashion moguls, everyone wants to share their thoughts on a wide range of topics. Continue on to find your newest favorite blogger to add to your reading list!

 

Modest Mira

This Manchester based stylist and influencer draws in readers with her fun language and captions, showing that you don’t have to comprise style when dressing modestly.

Slip Into Style

Ellie, a Parisian influencer, has an cool-girl aesthetic to die for. From her blog to her Instagram, her urban luxe look stuns readers and she fearlessly mixes materials and trends to create stunning ensembles.

Caro Daur

Caroline Daur, fashion blogger and Instagram superstar, is having quite the year as she has just hit 1.2 million followers in addition to being handpicked by Stefano himself to walk in Dolce & Gabbana’s Milan Fashion Week Show. Her ever changing style keeps readers hooked and her affinity for fun fashion makes it easy to see why she's a blog favorite.

Work Work Work

Katherine Ormerod is the genius behind the fashion, life, and career blog that gives readers great insight into cool-girl niche brands everyone crazes over before they become mainstream. Her chic, everyday style makes you want to hit the mall and her fashion savvy attitude is one that captures the public with ease.  

Margaret Zhang

This Chinese-Australian blogger does it all; Zhang is photographer, director, stylist, and writer (a woman of all trades!) based out of New York and is taking the fashion world by storm. Breaking the mold of the typical fashion girl, this law graduate can do it all while strutting in Saint Laurent boots. 

Look De Pernille

When Pernille Teisback launched her namesake blog in 2012, her sleek Scandinavian looks captivated thousands of readers across the world. This Copenhagen native provides your one stop shop for all upcoming street style trends, and her Instagram proves that she can put her tips into action.

Helena Bordon

As one of the industry’s most influential writers and fashionistas, this São Paulo native is the daughter of Vogue Brazil's style director. Her fashionable roots shine through as she is now a blogger and co-founder of popular high fashion streetwear brand, 284. 

SheWearsFashion

Kavita Donkersley, a fashion icon who hails from London, coverts around the globe with a high fashion wardrobe that every fashion lover dreams of. She has been a staple blogger now for several years and readers have loved watching her style evolve over time. 

 

WeWoreWhat

 

 

Danielle Bernstein is a New York based fashion blogger who is the source of our favorite fashion inspo. With her handy tagged items and cool, clean aesthetic, it's not hard to understand why she has such a cult following. 

NotJessFashion

Another great source of enthralling outfit inspiration, this Big Apple blogger stuns with her advice covering everything from style tips to guides for upcoming bloggers. Her unique photos and empowering voice inspires her followers to be confident in their fashion choices and they love her for it!

 

Lastly, as the year of the influencer comes to a end, I am sure we all follow a few Instagram stars with fabulous wardrobes and style. Let these fashionistas profiles do the talking and check out this years biggest industry influencers below!

 

Alexa Chung

 

 

Julia Engel

 

Chiara Ferragni

 

Gabi Gregg

 

Jenn Im

 

Gala Gonzalez

 

Olivia Palermo

 

Leandra Medine

 

Garance Doré

 

Jeanne Damas

 

 

There you have it, fashion lovers! We hope you have found a new interest from seeing all of these amazing fashionable creatives, because we sure did! This year of fashion will be hard to top, but we are more excited than ever to see what 2019 has in store for us! 

 

Sources: