In celebration of World Book Day, the Graduate Fashion Week team have been reflecting on their favourite books! From novels inspired by paintings in the National Portrait Gallery to magazines that provide page after page of inspiration, we've been thinking about our favourite reads.
Books inspire us all in our everyday life, even more so in the creative industry. Each day we are exposed to beautiful magazines, editorial books and fashion photography books. In the Graduate Fashion Week office, we have a huge book shelf which features the likes of Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan, Avedon, just to name a few.
So today, as it is World Book Day, we're looking to the publications and novels that we can't seem to tear ourselves away from.
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
This book taught the small boy from rural New Zealand to think creatively. This is the book that came with me on my travels to England and has stuck with me all of my life.
Martyn Roberts, Managing Director
The Muse by Jessie Burton
My recent favourite book is The Muse, A story about the origin of a famous painting and its mysterious creator. The story moves back and forth between the Spanish Civil War and 60’s London where the painting is hung in the National Gallery.
Nicola HItchens, PR & Communications Manger
Franny & Zooey by J.D Salinger
Whilst Salinger may be best known for Catcher in the Rye, since being given Franny and Zooey by friends when travelling in Europe, I often return to it. This is most likely my tenth read of the short novel, but it's hard to put it down, with the exploration of the nuances of the human thought and relationship with spirituality.
Annabel Waterhouse-Biggins, Digital Editor
ELLE Magazine, Hearst Publications
I am not really a book person, however I love ELLE magazine. I have been subscribed to the monthly magazine for a couple of years now. I like getting the physical copy straight to my door each month, but I mainly love the online version. There's nothing I love more than sitting on the tube during my morning commute flicking through the articles on my phone! Brightens up even the gloomiest of journeys.
Lynsey Routledge, Events Co-ordinator
Coco Chanel by Megan Hess
My fave book is.. Coco Chanel, by Megan Hess. I love it so much as she is such an amazing fashion illustrator and her books are so beautiful to look at and not just to read. I had to wait so long to get a hold of this book and I adore it so much. Theres so many interesting facts about Chanel’s life, and it is really interesting.. heres a picture of my book too!
Alix Flannery, Studio Intern
Grazia Magazine
My book is actually in fact Grazia Magazine. I find it so enjoyable having a physical magazine, I love spending my Sundays sitting in bed reading through it. I then like to keep the magazines, I have a coffee table that I stack them up on and then I like to place my candles on the top.
Lisa Daly, Sponsorship Manager
Vogue Magazine, Condé Nast Publications
I am a Vogue Magazine Girl, especially vintage vogue magazines. I managed to find these millennium issues in my university library. I subscribe to the modern magazines, but find it fun to reflect on the past and look at all the glamorous images they contain! Also the covers make for Instaworthy shots!
Demi Berry, Studio Intern
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J K Rowling
My all time book has to be Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone. I love it because it's the beginning of a magical journey, the first book out of the 7 that puts every child's dream a reality - being able to do magic and go to magic school!
Amber Whitaker, Studio Intern
Tender is the Night by F S Fitzgerald
My book has to be Tender is the Night by F Scott-Fitzgerald. I have the confession though that I only read two pages at a time before falling asleep! It is such a good book but is taking me awhile to get through it! Since it is world book day, I am going to try and dedicate some time to finish it!
Joy Campbell, Sponsorship Manager
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
I am a huge fan of the author Haruki Murakami his first book I read was Norwegian Wood. I love his style of writing, it is dreamy, realistic, sad... open from sexuality and portrays a 'real' relationship, I always go back to it. However I would also recommend Katta on the shore.
Kamila Duongova, Studio Intern
We hope we have inspired you to read a book or magazine in honour of World Book Day, or even to dig out your old favourite and give it a re-read. Happy reading from all of us here at Graduate Fashion Week!
Words by Alix Flannery