In order to define the future, fashion has looked to the past as of late. Its dynamic game of creative director musical chairs amongst the major houses have caused a collective trip down memory lane. After all, spearheading the industry’s heavyweights is no easy task. Looking to the archives provides a foundational platform for designers to gain footing in their new landscape, whilst also paying homage to the brand’s storied roots.
This is evident in the past few seasons. Jonathan Anderson’s recent menswear collection took inspiration from Hedi Slimane’s tenure at Dior Homme, with indie sleaze and glam-rock codes scattered throughout the looks. His debut womenswear for spring/summer 2026 opened with footage from Dior archives, picturing Monsieur Dior himself and show snippets from past creative directors John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri. For Pierpaolo Piccioli’s first outing at Balenciaga, he looked to the couturier’s infamous 1957 Sack dress. Meanwhile, Dolce & Gabbana’s recent Re-edition collection was an introspective for the founders, reimagining their fall/winter 2001 looks through a contemporary lens.
In the same vein, books have always been a marker of history. Fashion books are no different. Illustrious runway looks from the different creative directors are diligently recorded in endless pages of archival books, and an often coveted item by eager collectors. For every look tells a story, a hidden message conveyed through every curve, form, tone and thread. Beyond the fine details of craftsmanship and couture also lies the cultural impact of the designer—a new era defined, a signature technique eternalised, and an enduring legacy left behind.
Below, Vogue Singapore rounds up the best fashion archival books of the season, each edition expanding on a designer’s influence in fashion, culture and beyond.
1 / 7
0 0 10 Maison Martin Margiela by Printings.jp
Japanese indie publisher Printings.jp’s recent issue gathers Martin Margiela’s works across 20 years, from 1989 to 2009. Spanning 720 pages across two volumes, the book features. 446 looks from the women’s line ‘0’ and 242 looks from the menswear line ‘010’.
2 / 7
The Antwerp Six by Geert Bruloot, Romy Cockx and Kaat Debo
Released in conjunction with The Antwerp Six exhibition at Fashion Museum Antwerp, the book spotlights the history and impact of the six designers that make up the iconic collective: Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee. From their beginnings at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts to their avant garde rise that put Belgium on the fashion map, the book features essays and images that highlight individual journeys and influence.
3 / 7
Marc by Sofia by A24
It is only fitting that the person behind Marc Jacobs’s life documentary is his longtime friend and collaborator, acclaimed director Sofia Coppola. This companion book parallels the film’s journey from his Parsons school days and his tenure at Louis Vuitton to the birth of his eponymous label, alongside conversations between the duo and behind-the-scenes photographs from his studio.
4 / 7
Schiaparelli Anglomaniac by Thierry-Maxime Loriot, Robin Muir and Trino Verkade
Edited by renowned fashion and art curator Thierry-Maxime Loriot with a foreword from Dua Lipa, Schiaparelli Anglomaniac outlines the creative partnerships between the house and its collaborators. Featuring over 50 British creatives including the likes of Nick Knight, Dame Pat McGrath, Stephen Jones and Nadia Lee Cohen, the book features never-before-seen essays, unpublished images and artworks across several generations. Every page celebrates the craftsmanship, collaborative diversity and creativity of the house.
5 / 7
Anthology of a Decade by Hedi Slimane
Spanning four volumes, Anthology of a Decade showcases the different worlds of Hedi Slimane, spanning music, street fashion and haute couture through his first love: photography. Shot in the 2000s, the book is a collection of duotone images that reveal his inspirations, love for youth culture, and beloved references.
6 / 7
Valentino. A Grand Italian Epic by Matt Tyrnauer and Suzy Menkes
Valentino Garavani may have left the world but his legacy lives on. Here, the designer’s everlasting career is outlined through drawings, editorial shoots, advertisements, portraits and documentary photographs from his archives, providing an in-depth perspective of his life and work.
7 / 7
Yohji Yamamoto Drawings by Alexandre Samson
For the first time, Yohji Yamamoto’s fashion sketches are available for the world to see. Authored by Alexandre and Samson and curated by Yamamoto himself, they offer a rare glimpse into his unique vision. The drawings feature both menswear and womenswear, illustrating works designed for his main line, costume design and his Y-3 collection with Adidas.
