Well-Read: Liz Sunshine

Non-fiction from my favourite photographer.

I met

Liz Sunshine

when she was capturing street style imagery for Vogue Australia—you’ve definitely seen her work circulating on The Internet at one time or another. Right now, when she’s not shooting for brands like Louis Vuitton or exhibiting her own work, she’s exploring her relationship with clothes, and her aptly named Substack,

my relationship with clothes

is the place to go if you want astute, thoughtful content about our lust for clothing and being a thoughtful consumer who lusts after clothing.

Here though, Liz’s tells me she reads “from a place of curiosity” which was such a delightful reminder to me and drops a list brimming with non-fiction (one highly recommended work of fiction makes her list) that’s piqued my curiosity—one $50,000 coat included.

Tell me a little about yourself and what you like to read

My name is Liz Sunshine - I'm always asked if it's a real name, even by people I have known for years - and I often think to myself, do I really seem like a person who would have a stage name? Maybe I do?

I'm a Leo Sun, Aries Moon, Aries Rising. The first time I told a friend, she was shocked, promptly telling me it was an aggressive combination that didn't fit my personality. I am a Leo and have a critical inner voice, so maybe it's my inner truth but clouded in a cloak of empathy, compassion, respect and politeness towards other people. 

A few years ago, I had an ah-ha moment when I realised I didn't have a great relationship with clothes. This stirred something within me and set me on the path from fashion documentary photographer to now including artists and soft activists in my bio. 

I'm taking a year off shopping—something I started in August this year—because I want to have an iconic style my grandchildren will remember me for. I also think fashion is broken, and owning more clothes is not helping us dress better as a society. 

Questioning fashion, spreading awareness for textile waste, and Our Relationship With Clothes has become an obsession. I read from a place of curiosity and enjoy non-fiction.

What are your must-read books?

Coat Route by Meg Lukens Noonan

This book follows the story of a $50,000 coat that Sydney tailor John Cutler created. For me, it was a romantic read that totally justified the cost of the coat and led me to question why so many of our clothes are incredibly cheap. 

Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas

If you love fashion, do the hard thing and pick up a book on fashion sustainability. It can be challenging but totally worth it. Dana is sooo easy to read. 

Face Time by Phillip Prodger

From conventional photography to screenshots - this is my favourite coffee table book and categorises the history of photography from an exciting perspective. And yes - there is plenty to read.

What Artists Wear by Charlie Porter

No matter the dress code, artists wear whatever they want (I have photographed them at black tie events in no shoes and only underwear). A historical read I highly recommend for anyone into personal style.

The Trio by Johanna Hedman

It takes a lot for me to recommend fiction—my last holiday read was not a fashion book but a story of love and loss but also hope.

What’s next?

1. A Life Less Throw Away by Tara Button. 

2. The Cartiers by Francesca Cartier Brickell. 

3. Rising Strong by Brené Brown. 

Enjoy!