--- title: "Three novels where fashion becomes the main character: a selection for cozy autumn reading" description: "WAVE (RBC-Ukraine) has selected three fiction novels in which fashion acts as a full-fledged character: from Rosa Kustacher's Italian empire to the continuation of Miranda Priestly's story. The selection is designed for cozy autumn reading." date: 2026-09-19T09:22:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/three-novels-where-fashion-becomes-the-main-character-cozy-autumn-reading tags: [fashion-books, autumn-reading, literature, lifestyle, novels, fashion-industry] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Three novels where fashion becomes the main character: a selection for cozy autumn reading ![Covers of three fashion-themed novels: 'The City of Girls' by Elizabeth Gilbert, 'When Life Gives You Lemons' by Lauren Weisberger, and 'The Seamstress of Paris' by Georgia Kaufmann on a blue background](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/20/tri-romana-gde-moda-stanovitsya-geroem-podborka-dlya-osenneho-chteniya/tri-romana-gde-moda-stanovitsya-geroem-podborka-dlya-osenneho-chteniya-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The selection includes three novels in which fashion is a key element of the plot, not just a backdrop - The first novel is the story of Rosa Kustacher, who built a fashion empire after the war and relocations - The second novel is the story of Vivian in 1940 New York, who discovered her talent for creating costumes - The third novel is a continuation of 'The Devil Wears Prada' with Emily Charlton in the lead role - There is no Ukrainian translation of the original 'The Devil Wears Prada,' but the sequel is available With the arrival of autumn, reading habits change: light summer stories give way to dense, atmospheric novels that you want to read with a cup of tea by the window. Among the many genres, a special place is occupied by literature in which fashion stops being a backdrop and becomes a full-fledged character — with its own personality, conflicts, and drama. It is precisely these books that allow you to leave the routine behind for a few hours and find yourself in the world of runways, Parisian ateliers, bohemian parties, and the backstage life of the theatre. The WAVE editorial team (the lifestyle project of RBC-Ukraine) has put together a selection of three fiction novels in which the fashion industry and style become not just a decoration, but a key element of the plot. ### An Italian mountain village and the road to a fashion empire The first novel in the selection tells the story of Rosa Kustacher — a woman who knows how to pick the perfect outfit for any occasion and turns this talent into the foundation of her own fashion empire. However, behind the shine of today's success lies a difficult past: Rosa was born in a small Italian mountain village, survived the German occupation, was forced to flee and move from country to country, each time starting life from scratch. The novel is structured as a confession: the heroine is finally ready to stop chasing success and tell the truth about herself. It is a story about how war, relocations, and the loss of a home shape a character, and how a sense of style becomes not just a profession, but a way to survive and assert oneself in a foreign world. ### New York, 1940: freedom, theatre, and the first outfit The second novel is a world bestseller about women's freedom, the right to be yourself, and living the way you want. The story begins in New York in 1940: nineteen-year-old Vivian is expelled from a prestigious college, and the girl is forced to move to Manhattan to live with her eccentric aunt, the owner of a small theatre. It is there that Vivian discovers the pre-war bohemian life: parties, stars, theatrical premieres, and the feeling of boundless youth. But the main discovery awaits in a practical dimension — Vivian finds her calling and begins creating costumes for performances and fashionable outfits for herself and her friends. It turns out she has a real talent: from any piece of fabric she is capable of making a masterpiece. The novel combines the lightness of New York bohemia with a deep plot about self-determination and creative awakening. ### The legacy of Miranda Priestly: a new chapter of fashion drama The third novel in the selection is a continuation of the cult story about fashion, runways, and the harsh work in the fashion industry. At the center of the plot is Emily Charlton, the former first assistant to the legendary Miranda Priestly, who today works as a successful image consultant and is used to serving superstars. However, lately she has been unlucky with clients, until fate brings her together with Caroline Hartwell — a world-famous model and the wife of an ambitious senator. The new story promises no less sharp conflicts and vivid characters familiar to fans of the original. It is worth noting that, as of now, there is no Ukrainian translation of the original novel 'The Devil Wears Prada,' however the sequel — 'When Life Gives You Lululemons' — is available to readers. ### Why now: fashion as an antidepressant All three novels are united not only by the theme of fashion, but also by a common emotional purpose: they help you escape the everyday and, for a moment, be transported to a world where beauty, style, and creativity matter most. In conditions of information overload and autumn melancholy, such books work as a soft 'anchor' — they do not require analytical thinking from the reader, but they offer atmosphere, character, and a sense of belonging to something greater than the daily routine. Whether it is mountain Italy of the occupation era, pre-war New York, or the modern fashion industry — in each of these worlds fashion becomes the language in which the heroines speak about themselves, their freedom, and their right to happiness. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Stories for cozy reading: three books where fashion is part of the plot](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/culture/istoriyi-zatishnogo-chitannya-tri-knizhki-1789723695.html) - Исходный материал WAVE (РБК-Украина) содержит описание трёх романов. Названия первых двух книг в тексте не приведены явно, описаны по персонажам и сюжету. Третий роман — продолжение Devil Wears Prada («Когда жизнь преподносит тебе Лулулемоны»). Указано отсутствие украинского перевода оригинала Devil Wears Prada. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Which three books are included in the WAVE selection? **A:** The selection includes: a novel about Rosa Kustacher, who built a fashion empire after the war; a novel about Vivian in 1940 New York, who discovered her talent for creating costumes; and the continuation of 'The Devil Wears Prada' — 'When Life Gives You Lululemons' — with Emily Charlton in the lead role. ### Q: Is there a Ukrainian translation of 'The Devil Wears Prada'? **A:** According to the WAVE publication, there is currently no Ukrainian translation of the original novel 'The Devil Wears Prada.' However, the sequel — 'When Life Gives You Lululemons' — is available to readers. ### Q: Why is autumn the right time to read such books? **A:** In the opinion of the WAVE editorial team, with the arrival of autumn readers crave cozy reading and kind stories. Novels in which fashion becomes a character help you escape the everyday and be transported to the atmosphere of runways, ateliers, and theatre backstages.