Fashion: Style and substance

From the Vogue archives, celebrated fashion photographer Louise Dahl-Wolfe's work was some of the very first examples of fashion photography to use natural space and light, like this 1959 image of two women on the beach under parasols.

The latest luxury style tomes offer up plenty of inspiration.

From the enduring influence of David Bowie's enigmatic style to Frida Kahlo's bold display of colour and pattern so inherent in Mexican costume, this year's major fashion book releases are beautiful keepsakes to cherish forever. And while the issue of diversity in fashion continues to be discussed, books that explore gender and various body shapes are also key topics. Take a look at our pick of the bunch, available from all good book stores and online.

Louise Dahl-Wolfe

by Oliva Maria Rubio, John P. Jacob, Celina Lunsford and Louise Dahl-Wolfe
Published by Aperture books, about $90

Dahl-Wolfe's fashion photography of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s reached its height during her 20-year tenure at Harper's Bazaar, pioneering the use of natural lighting in fashion photography, shooting on location and outdoors.

Frida Kahlo: Fashion As The Art Of Being

by Susana Martinez Vidal
Published by Assouline, about $290

Frida Kahlo's incomparable approach to art and style still inspires today. This book carefully examines her clothing and its enduring impact on magazines, photographers and contemporary designers.

The Art Of Dressing Curves: The Best-Kept Secrets of a Fashion Stylist

by Susan Moses
Published by HarperCollins, $70

Moses' down-to earth voice tells the story of her journey to self-acceptance and outlines her formula for seamless dressing that has helped some of the most iconic curvy women in music, film, and fashion shine in the spotlight.

Advanced Style: Older & Wiser

by Ari Seth Cohen
Published by Powerhouse Books, about $55

Street-style inspiration from around the world photographed by LA-based writer and blogger Ari Seth Cohen.

Vogue 100: A Century of Style

by Robin Muir
Published by National Portrait Gallery, about $75

2016 marks 100 years of British Vogue and this beautiful book celebrates the magazine's central and vital role on the cultural stage, with a history that spans the most inventive decades in fashion and taste, and in the arts and society. The book also accompanies a major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery on until October 30.

Bowie

Photographs by Steve Shapiro
Published by Powerhouse Books, $70

Approved by Bowie before his death in January, the book explores mostly never-before-published images that represent Bowie at his most creative and inspired self as photographed by creative collaborator and friend Steve Shapiro.

Volez Voguez Voyagez Louis Vuitton

Edited by Olivier Saillard. Published by Rizzoli, $195

Set to accompany the highly anticipated exhibition at the Grand Palais, Volez, Voguez, Voyagez - Louis Vuitton surveys the rich heritage and trajectory of the world's most recognisable luxury brand, with illustrations featuring new and archival photography, original design sketches from the early 1900s, past and current advertising campaigns, images of ready-to-wear and luggage and detailed close-up imagery of the exhibition.

For more fashion go to viva.co.nz.