The juiciest biographies about and memoirs by fashion editors
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words by daisy henry
From Anna Wintour to André Leon Talley.
Growing up, I often felt as though fashion editors had a certain elusiveness about them. They would be seated front row, often (but not always) in the most unassuming outfits, mentally taking notes that would go on to chart the course of fashion and make or break the reputation of designers. They were untouchable, yet their influence was insurmountable.
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When I imagined a career in fashion, I often looked to these industry heavyweights, picturing a glitzy world of long lunches, dramatic photoshoots and celebrities. Since discovering the treasure trove of fashion memoirs out there, I’ve come to realise that behind all the glamour is a world of cutthroat ambition and scandal.
From the unauthorised story charting Anna Wintour’s rise to memoirs offering a glimpse of the media landscape closer to home, fashion biographies and autobiographies offer a rare glimpse into the lives and legacies of some of the most powerful figures in the industry.
Anna by Amy Odell
Amy Odell’s Anna is a riveting deep dive into the former Vogue editor’s rise to the top. Though her name and signature bob are immediately recognisable, Anna Wintour largely remained an enigma – until this book. Through meticulous research (including over 250 interviews), Odell charts Anna’s career from her early days working at a fashion boutique in London to her entry into the world of media. Though the book focuses on Anna’s career over her personal relationships, it’s an addictive peek behind the curtains into the hierarchies and dynamics of legacy fashion media.
Get it here.
When the Going Was Good by Graydon Carter
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When the Going Was Good by Graydon Carter is a rich and candid autobiography. The book traces his rise in media, culminating in his 25-year tenure as editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair. It’s full of stories behind some of the magazine’s most iconic cover shoots and celebrity profiles, as well as stories featuring Anna Wintour, Princess Margaret, Monica Lewinsky and more. This book will satisfy any craving for an insight into the golden age of magazines.
Get it here.
A Visible Man by Edward Enninful
Edward Enniful’s memoir is a person account of his journey from a young Ghanian immigrant to the first black editor-in-chief of British Vogue. Edward reflects on his start in London as a fashion model and fashion director at i-D magazine when he was only 18, while exploring his meteoric rise through fashion and the barriers he faced as a black, gay, working-class man in a white industry.
Get it here.
Semi-Gloss by Justine Cullen
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From deputy editor of Dolly Magazine to editor-in-chief of Elle and InStyle, Justine Cullen’s autobiography is essential reading for anyone interested in fashion journalism in Australia. It’s a candid story of the often messy realities of working in fashion, and charts the transition from print magazines to the takeover of digital media. Justine has a way of writing that feels akin to chatting with a friend – it’s self deprecating, witty and satiates your curiosity in every way.
Get it here.
The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown
Tina’s Brown’s autobiography is a series of diary entries from her eight years as Vanity Fair‘s editor in chief. Having been appointed editor of Britain’s Tatler magazine at 25, Tina relocated to the U.S 1983 to rescue and revive the struggling Vanity Fair. Where Anna is a tale of ambition and strategy, The Vanity Fair Diaries is a glamorous and scandalous account of New York’s social scene in the ’80s.
Get it here.
The Chiffon Trenches by André Leon Talley
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From his upbringing in the segregated South in America, to his time as an assistant at Interview magazine under Andy Warhol and editor-at-large of Vogue, André Leon Talley is one of the most influential figures in fashion. The Chiffon Trenches delves into the grit and glamour of the fashion industry, and features fascinating accounts of his complex relationships with industry heavyweights like Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour. Released just a few years before his passing, André Leon Talley’s memoir is a compelling account of his experiences as the first black editor of Vogue and the industry-shaping legacy he left behind.
Get it here.
The Vogue Factor by Kirstie Clements
The Vogue Factor charts Kirstie Clements journey from receptionist to editor of Vogue Australia, where she worked for 13 years before being unexpectedly dismissed. The books is full of celebrity encounters, iconic fashion moments and gives you a glimpse into the day-to-day demands on an editor at the helm of an Australian publication.
Get it here.
Grace by Grace Coddington
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If you liked Anna and The Chiffon Trenches, then Grace is the natural next step for anyone wanting more out of the Condé Nast meta-verse. Grace Coddington’s memoir chronicles her journey from a young girl in rural Wales to creative director at large of American Vogue. The book is full of honest insights into the fashion industry, behind-the-scenes stories of iconic editorial shoots and Grace’s experience working under Anna Wintour. The book itself is coffee-table worthy and Grace’s narration of the audiobook adds a comforting and conversational tone.
Get it here.
How to Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell
Cat Marnell’s memoir takes a slightly different approach, providing an unflinchingly honest account of her life as a beauty editor battling addiction. Set in New York, Cat writes about her struggle with mental illness, amphetamines and bulimia, while working at Lucky, xoJane and Glamour. A darkly funny story of fashion media, deadlines and self-destruction, How to Murder Your Life is about survival and bouncing back.
Get it here.
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