Fab Read

It's an age-old question: are you the bombshell or the debutante? The flirty starlet or the sophisticated first lady? Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Timeless Lessons on Love, Power, and Style ($16) starts with a fun quiz that will help you figure that out. Whether you identify with one more than the other or happen to be a little of both, this Fab read is part style guide, part history lesson. You'll learn tons about both of the iconic women — like their favorite books and music — and get tips on how to emulate their style and overall allure in all areas of your life. This is a totally useful tome, and as a very proud Marilyn, I'm looking forward to using the tips.

Consider this your course in global fashion immersion — City Style: A Field Guide to Global Fashion Capitals ($20) is your tour guide into the world's most fashionable cities. It's a chapter-by-chapter study of the signature style culture of each fashion mecca — New York, Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, Stockholm, Sydney, and LA — led by the each city's uniquely styled residents, who reveal a behind-the-scenes view of their cool locale. We're talking brands behind the looks, local destinations, city symbols, designer interviews, and the Fab fashion events. Peek at some of its pages below, then get your copy, and be on your way!

Besides recently opening a store called Bookmarc, Marc Jacobs has also been busy putting together a book. Deemed The Men + Women of Marc Jacobs, it's a photo essay featuring shots of over 150 employees, photographed by Brian Bowen Smith. According to the forward, written by Francine Prose, "What these pictures give us is the family album of what may be — what probably is — simply the coolest and the hottest rainbow family on the planet."

This project started over three years ago when Smith accompanied Jacobs on his business trips and various store openings and randomly snapped the staff. The designer makes a cameo, too. "It's not about Marc's clothes. There's a whole book out already like that. It's called a look book," Smith said. Sweet.

Erica Domesek of the blog P.S. I Made This has major talent when it comes to DIY. Just check out CasaSugar's exclusive peek at her NYC loft. Now, she's sharing her secrets with the rest of the world through her new book, P.S. I Made This: I See It, I Like It, I Make It (preorder for $13). You can learn the tricks of her stylish trade with more than 25 projects including faux fur vests, studded heels, ball necklaces, and more. Just follow her easy step-by-step instructions and you'll be a designer DIY queen in no time.

To see a few pages from the book, including a photo of Erica, read more

A whole book dedicated to earrings? The Earring Style Book: Making Designer Earrings, Capturing Celebrity Style, and Getting the Look for Less (preorder for $15) is brought to you by designer Stephanie A. Wells of Double Happiness Jewelry. With her vast expertise, she shares techniques, how to make the most dazzling earrings right from home, and how to create various outfits using one of her 40 signature designs. Earring lovers, rejoice.

Alexander McQueen's passing inspired Alexander McQueen: Genius of a Generation, and now it's the catalyst for an even bigger tribute by Visionaire Magazine. Visionaire 58 Spirit: A Tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen ($295) doesn't come cheap, but it's a compilation that will live on in history. Per editors Cecilia Dean, Stephen Gan, and James Kaliardos, McQueen visited their SoHo offices in 2003 to discuss a collaboration on an issue that never happened. This is their special tribute to him.

Imagine my delight when I found out about a Rizzoli published Matthew Williamson ($65) book due out in October. This stunning volume will explore the designer's body of work — from his debut collection in 1997 to his current multimillion-dollar status. A foreword by friend and muse Sienna Miller is heartfelt, while fashion historian Colin McDowell provides historical and cultural context for each stage of Williamson's career. Lavishly illustrated and photographed, Williamson's trademark vibrant colors and patterns are throughout the pages. Seriously, can't wait.

There cannot be enough tributes to the late and great Yves Saint Laurent. Yves Saint Laurent ($55) is the first comprehensive retrospective on YSL. The designer's drawings, fabrics, models, and studios are all displayed on big glossy pages. The book also contains a full illustrated chronology, a portrait gallery of his muses — Loulou de la Falaise and Catherine Deneuve — and a new interview with his longtime partner Pierre Bergé. The color-inspired chapters are especially enticing, and the foreword by Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is heartfelt.

Cally Blackman's 100 Years of Fashion Illustration ($26) is well worth its weight. After all, it takes a lot of pages — 378 to be exact — to show off 100 years of fantastic fashion illustrations as far back as the 1900s. Artists featured in this amazing exposé include Andy Warhol, Antonio Lopez, Tod Draz, and Erté. So much to ogle, but we especially love the groovy 1970s section . . .

Like I Give a Frock: Fashion Forecasts and Meaningless Misguidance ($14) by Michi is one funny little book. I quote: "If you're reading this while sitting in a suburban cafe wearing nothing but a bikini, chances are you've crossed it. 'It' being the invisible line where swimwear becomes underpants." You'll have to buy the book to read her opinion on this, and other comical fashion matters.

The author also rags on waterproof sunglass straps and offers quirky tips, like this genius line that all sales associates should use on their customers: "You clearly have such amazing taste, I just know you will love this." See? Funny little book indeed!