Library
Each week, we spotlight a book that inspires, educates, and deepens our understanding of fashion’s impact on the world. From sustainability to social change, these recommendations will feature voices shaping the future of the industry. You can find all of our previous recommendations here, in the Fashion Roundtable Library. We’d love to hear your thoughts, and if you have a book to recommend then send us a message and let us know.
Source: Naomi Klein
An instant hit with the team, ‘This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs Climate’ by Naomi Klein, offers a brilliant explanation of why the climate crisis challenges us to abandon the core “free market” ideology of our time, restructure the global economy and remake our political systems.
Klein argues that the changes to our relationship with nature and one another that are required to respond to the climate crisis humanely should not be viewed as grim penance, but rather as a kind of gift—a catalyst to transform broken economic and cultural priorities and to heal long-festering historical wounds. And she documents the inspiring movements that have already begun this process: communities that are not just refusing to be sites of further fossil fuel extraction but are building the next, regeneration-based economies right now.
An important read.
The History of Information by Chris Haughton
A journey through the evolution of knowledge, communication, and information. The debut non-fiction book by best-selling author Chris Haughton. History, as it is often taught, is a list of kings and queens and treaties and events.
It presents the what and when, but it rarely asks why. Why is it that we had kings and queens at all? Why then all of a sudden did we abandon them and shift to democracies? Why did the world’s religions rise around the same time? Why is society dominated by men? The answers all come down to the same thing: information.
The striving to share information, and – at the same time – the striving to undermine it, explains so much of today's world and connects so many seemingly unconnected things: the rise of religions, states, science, democracy, the west, militarism, racism, fascism, consumerism, big tech, polarisation, and AI. This history of information is closely connected to the history of visual communication – and as these two are largely the same – it makes sense to tell this story visually: a history of graphics told through graphics.
The History of Information, through a mix of timelines, graphics, and illustrations, clearly breaks down and explains each concept for children and adults alike. The History of Information includes: A beautiful look at the story of information; from the first languages and cave paintings, through to how we communicate and record information today. Content written and illustrated by world famous and multi-award winning author and illustrator, Chris Haughton. A global journey throughout history from the origination of language, how information has been passed on and recorded, and how this affected humanity.
Read Meg Pirie’s interview with Chris about his concerns around AI and what it means for creatives here
Cradle to Cradle: (Patterns of Life) by Michael Braungart & William McDonough
Michael Braungart and William McDonough propose a plan for our planet in this stunning new edition of their radical ecological manifesto. This book proposes a new vision for modern industry.
Instead of our current wasteful and polluting methods of manufacturing, we could be taking nature as a model for making things.
With the right redesign, objects that have come to the end of their useful lives should provide the basis for something new.
In designing and producing products we need to stop worrying about being ‘less bad’ and start finding ways of actually being good.
Fashion Roundtable Library: Trump II: Why He Won - What It Means For The World by Tim Hames
The First Word on the New Trump Presidency. By Tim Hames
He is back, and this will be much more than a sequel to the first Trump Administration. Back in 2017, Trump was unprepared for victory, was constrained by the Republican Party establishment, had zero experience of government and brought little sense of what he wanted to achieve.
This time, everything is different.
Trump II will have enormous implications for the United States, but more emphatically for the rest of the world.
This book explains the unique political appeal of Donald Trump, how he managed such an extraordinary personal and political comeback, and what he will seek to do now back in the Oval Office.
With a particular emphasis on the implications for the United Kingdom, Trump II is an expert analysis of a President whose impact home and abroad will last far beyond the next four years.
Fashion Farming: Wool by Fibreshed
Farming Fashion: Wool by Fibreshed is split into three sections: farming, processing and designing. Through interviews, case studies and features we hear directly from people across these three areas, working to build and renew the connection between farming and fashion and material and design.
Combined with detailed resource lists and questions to facilitate practical conversations, the guide provides a platform for greater understanding and partnership-building between the different stages of wool garment production.
Why wool? This guide is the first in a series of resources that explore the different fibres that can be farmed or grown agroecologically in the UK.
Wool is chronically under-utilised and yet still the UK’s most abundant natural fibre. With over 62 native breeds of sheep and a rich history of woollen textile production, wool is deeply woven into our cultural, social and economic heritage. It is a natural high-performance material with many extraordinary qualities. Among these, wool is naturally flame retardant, anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic – whilst also being fully compostable, returning to the soil at the end of its use.
Wardrobe Crisis: How We Went From Sunday Best to Fast Fashion by Clare Press
Written by close friend of Fashion Roundtable, Clare Press, Wardrobe Crisis is a cornerstone text for anyone passionate about sustainable fashion. First published in 2016, the book remains as relevant today as ever, offering a compelling deep dive into how the fashion industry became the fast-paced, unsustainable system we know today—and how it can change for the better.
Clare Press, a trailblazer in sustainable fashion and Vogue Australia’s first Sustainability Editor, blends history, culture, and activism in this fascinating exploration. From the concept of “Sunday best” to the rise of fast fashion, she examines how our relationship with clothing has evolved and its social and environmental consequences.
This book isn’t just a critique of the industry—it’s a roadmap for change. Packed with stories of innovators and ethical fashion advocates, it’s an inspiring call to action for both consumers and industry insiders. For fashion lovers eager to connect their passion with purpose, Wardrobe Crisis is essential reading.
Clare Press also extends the book’s impact through her acclaimed podcast of the same name, where she continues to explore sustainability, ethics, and activism in fashion, often featuring voices from around the world—including ours at Fashion Roundtable!
Nothing Precious by Marcelo Gutierrez
For fashion lovers and creative souls, Nothing Precious by celebrated makeup artist Marcelo Gutierrez is an unmissable debut. This stunning photographic journey is a visual feast, chronicling a decade of artistry, collaboration, and identity in New York City’s vibrant fashion and art worlds.
Shot by renowned photographers Renell Medrano and Aidan Zamiri, the book features iconic figures like Paloma Elsesser, Lourdes Leon, Joan Smalls, and Gabbriette, each styled and envisioned by Gutierrez as living embodiments of his creative vision. Each page is a testament to the power of fashion as a medium for storytelling, transformation, and connection.
With a foreword by Lily-Rose Depp, Nothing Precious celebrates the grit, glamour, and enduring creative energy of New York. Gutierrez’s artistic direction offers a new perspective on how fashion shapes identity, how collaboration fuels creativity, and how a community of like-minded artists can define an era.
Fashion enthusiasts will revel in the raw and unapologetic beauty of these images, which blur the boundaries between fashion, fine art, and self-expression. The book is an inspiring reminder of the joy found in pushing creative boundaries and celebrating individuality.
“Nothing Precious is not just a book; it’s a celebration of the power of collaboration, community, and the importance of prioritizing your personal artistic agenda and legacy,” says Gutierrez.
A must-have for anyone passionate about the intersections of fashion, beauty, and art, this book belongs on the coffee table of every creative dreamer.
Dangerous Bodies by Dr. Royce Mahawatte and Jacki Willson
Fashion is more than just clothing, it’s a medium through which we navigate power, identity, and societal norms. Dangerous Bodies by Dr. Royce Mahawatte and Jacki Willson offers an incisive exploration of how the human body, clothed or otherwise, has historically been a site of both oppression and defiance. This thought-provoking book examines themes like beauty standards, sexuality, and political resistance, weaving together cultural criticism with rich historical and theoretical insights.
Royce Mahawatte, an expert in Gothic studies and Victorian culture, brings a deep understanding of how historical narratives shape modern identities. Jacki Willson, a scholar specializing in performance and gender, adds a nuanced perspective on the body as a performative space. Together, they create a compelling dialogue about how fashion interacts with power structures and the human experience.
For anyone interested in the intersections of fashion, identity, and social change, Dangerous Bodies is a must read. It challenges us to rethink the cultural significance of what we wear and how we wear it. Add it to your library for a deeper understanding of the body as a dynamic and contested space within the world of fashion.
Royce was the lead researcher for Fashion Roundtable's Representation and Inclusion in the Fashion Industry report and you can hear his podcast about this work with Davina Appiagyei in our back catalogue of podcasts here
Eight Weeks by Baroness Lola Young
Releasing on 28th November 2024, Eight Weeks by Baroness Lola Young is a powerful exploration of one woman’s fight for justice, dignity, and equality. A renowned advocate for social change, Baroness Young brings her extensive experience in activism and the arts to this striking narrative. A life peer and one of the first black women in the House of Lords, Baroness Young is celebrated for her work in human rights, sustainable fashion, and addressing structural inequalities.
Her debut book merges these passions with her remarkable storytelling ability. Set during a critical eight-week campaign against systemic injustices, the book weaves an inspiring tale of resilience and determination. While a fictional story, it draws deeply from Baroness Young’s lived experiences in foster care and her unwavering commitment to creating a better future. Expect a narrative as thought-provoking as it is hopeful, addressing themes of activism, identity, and the ongoing struggle for equity.
Baroness Young has long been a supporter of Fashion Roundtable, and we sat down with her a few weeks ago to record our latest podcast exploring her motivations to continue advocating for human rights and the transformation of the fashion industry, and chat about her new book.
Eight Weeks is an essential read for anyone invested in fashion, politics, or social change—a testament to how individual efforts can spark collective transformation. Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired by a leading voice in progressive action. Mark your calendars for this transformative release!
Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time (and How to Spend It Better) by Pete Etchells
In Unlocked, Pete Etchells, Professor of Psychology and Science Communication at Bath Spa University, cuts through sensationalist narratives to explore the real impact of screen time on our well-being. Blending science with storytelling, he investigates how technology shapes our mental health, creativity, and relationships, offering practical advice on building healthier digital habits.
The themes of the book theme align with Fashion Roundtable’s commitment to fostering a creative wellbeing economy—one that prioritises balanced, intentional use of technology to support both innovation and mental health. Screens have come to dominate every corner of the fashion industry, once an inherently hands-on sector.
Etchells reminds us that it’s not about rejecting screens, but about using them to enrich rather than deplete our lives—a vital perspective in our fast-paced digital world.
Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT and the Race That Will Change the World by Parmy Olson
Fashion Roundtable’s book recommendation this week is Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT and the Race That Will Change the World by Parmy Olson
From award-winning journalist Parmy Olson, Supremacy is the astonishing, untold, behind-the-scenes story of the battle between two AI companies, their struggles to use their tech for good, and the dangerous direction that they’re now going in.
Discover the never-before-told story of the ruthless shadow race between Microsoft and Google, as both compete to develop a mass-market AI while juggling existential questions of ethics, human progress and the future of the world as we know it.
When ChatGPT was released, the world changed overnight. Even as we all played with the new toy, a very real danger was quickly coming to light: that untested automations would undermine our way of life insidiously, sucking value out of our economy, replacing high-level creative jobs and enabling a new, terrifying era of disinformation.
It was never meant to be this way. The founders of the two companies behind the most advanced AIs in existence – Open AI (ChatGPT) and DeepMind (Bard) – started their journeys determined to solve humanity’s greatest problems. But they couldn’t develop their technologies without huge amounts of money – money that Microsoft and Google were more than happy to give them, in exchange for the most powerful seats at the table.
Featuring a cast of larger-than-life characters, including Elon Musk, Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Peter Thiel, Supremacy is a story of manipulation, exploitation, secrecy and of ruthless, relentless human progress – progress that will impact all of us for years to come.
Sustainable Fashion, Migrants, Embroidery: Ateliers of 'Social Integration' by Alessandra Lopez y Royo
For our first book recommendation, we’re delighted to recommend Sustainable Fashion, Migrants, Embroidery: Ateliers of 'Social Integration' by Alessandra Lopez y Royo.
The book takes readers on an eye-opening journey to discover the community-driven 'solidarity ateliers' in both the Global North and South. These artisans are offering an alternative to fast fashion by fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing that integrate with local communities. Through fieldwork in Morocco, Southern Italy, and London, Lopez y Royo uncovers how these spaces empower migrants and refugees, while challenging traditional ideas of empowerment and social integration. This thought-provoking book offers a fresh perspective on how slow fashion can drive both social change and sustainability.
Thanks Alessandra for sharing your work with us!