For anyone standing on the outside looking in, the global fashion month circuit appears to be a continuous whirlwind of glamour, flashing cameras, high-profile parties, and breathtaking garments rolling down immaculate runways. Yet, those who live and breathe the industry understand that the reality behind the scenes is often defined by an entirely different emotion: profound, unrelenting boredom.
Spanning four major fashion capitals over several weeks, the seasonal marathon demands endless hours of endurance from the models who bring the collections to life. Long before a single look makes its debut under the blinding lights of the runway, models endure marathon days filled with grueling back-to-back castings, complex transit logistics navigating chaotic city traffic, hours spent sitting in hair and makeup chairs, and endless waiting in cramped backstage holding areas. In an industry where hurry-up-and-wait is the baseline operational mode, survival requires mastering the art of killing time.
While scrolling through social media or listening to music provides temporary distraction, many industry professionals turn to a more immersive antidote: a good book. As the dust settles on the spring 2027 ready-to-wear season, the frantic energy of backstage dressing rooms gives way to reflection. Five prominent models have opened up about the literary companions that kept them grounded, entertained, and intellectually stimulated during the chaotic weeks of the spring 2027 shows, revealing a reading list that stretches from contemporary literary fiction and gripping thrillers to classic drama and magical realism.
Stella Hanan
For Stella Hanan, whose presence graced the runways of the spring 2027 collections—including a standout turn at Isabel Marant—finding intellectual stimulation amidst the chaos of fashion week is essential. This season, Hanan found herself turning to the pages of Sally Rooney’s widely discussed novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You.
"I fell in love with Sally Rooney after reading her hit novels Normal People and Conversations With Friends," Hanan shares, reflecting on her literary journey with the contemporary Irish author. "I started this book over the summer and finished it during Fashion Week this fall. I love the way Rooney conveys the various aspects of human nature—communication, how people react together, how they react alone, and the emotions that come with different stages of life. It also covers a lot of conversations around politics, religion, art, and inequality."
The novel’s thematic depth provides a stark, comforting contrast to the superficial frenzy of the fashion circuit. Centered primarily on the dynamic between four distinct individuals, the narrative places significant focus on a long-distance friendship maintained by two women who exchange intimate thoughts, life updates, and philosophical musings via email and written letters. As the story progresses, these characters are eventually brought together, allowing readers to observe the delicate evolution of their platonic and romantic bonds. For Hanan, the appeal lies in Rooney’s ability to spotlight the complex interplay between differences and similarities in human relationships. "I think it’s very relatable!" she notes, finding truth in Rooney’s observations while navigating her own fast-paced, globetrotting lifestyle.
Iasmin Reis
Amidst the structured chaos of fittings and presentations, such as her appearance with Chloé for the spring 2027 season, Iasmin Reis prefers a narrative that demands absolute attention and delivers an adrenaline rush. Her backstage companion of choice was Freida McFadden’s suspenseful thriller, Brain Damage.
Reis explains that her discovery of the book was sparked by a mix of personal recommendation and striking visual appeal. "A friend recommended the book to me, but I chose it because the cover caught my attention," she says. "After reading the prologue, I became even more interested because I realized the story explores both the ‘before’ and the ‘after.’ The author reveals everything along with the character, so you discover what happened as the story unfolds."
For a globetrotting model constantly shifting between time zones and cities, a fast-paced psychological thriller offers the ultimate mental escape, allowing her to completely detach from the immediate pressures of the runway and dive headfirst into a carefully constructed mystery.
Sunday Rose
While contemporary fiction and modern thrillers are popular choices backstage, some models look further back into literary history for inspiration. Sunday Rose, who was recently seen walking for Dries Van Noten during the spring 2027 presentations, found herself drawn to a nearly 90-year-old theatrical classic: Clifford Odets’s 1937 play, Golden Boy.
Rose’s journey to the script began in a London theater just weeks prior to the fashion shows. "I saw a revival of this play starring Josh O’Connor at the Almeida in London a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved it," Rose explains. "The cast and story were so fascinating, so I decided to read the original from 1937."
The play, which explores the internal conflicts of a young man torn between a promising career as a classical violinist and the lucrative, brutal world of professional prizefighting, struck a profound chord with the working model. "I think this play really intrigued me because it emphasizes the choice between wealth, fame, and true passion, and what a person might sacrifice to get there," Rose observes. Furthermore, the narrative’s refusal to offer a neat, Hollywood-style resolution resonated with her appreciation for authenticity. "Weirdly, I also loved how the ending was sad, because it felt more realistic and less fantasized."
Canlan Wang
For Canlan Wang, whose presence was felt across major spring 2027 lineups including Ferragamo, the key to surviving backstage downtime is immersion and conciseness. Wang gravitates toward suspense novels that offer an immediate hook and a window into specialized professions far removed from the glitz of the runway.
Her recent reading material of choice includes Medical Examiner Dr. Qin, written by the real-life forensic pathologist Qin Ming. "Suspense novels tend to grab my attention very quickly, and I like how they introduce me to fields I wouldn’t normally come across," Wang explains. For a professional whose daily life is consumed by aesthetics, garments, and public presentation, diving into the meticulous, analytical world of forensic science provides a fascinating mental pivot. "They’re concise, immersive, and give me that little sense of adrenaline I enjoy," she adds, making the genre an ideal companion for quick reading windows between fittings and show calls.
Thalita Ferreira
Rounding out the group is Thalita Ferreira, who brought her signature presence to the Alaïa spring 2027 presentations. Ferreira looked to literature as a way to maintain a tangible connection to her heritage while traveling across continents for work. She chose The Head of the Saint by Brazilian author Socorro Acioli.
"I chose The Head of the Saint by Socorro Acioli because I love stories that explore Brazilian culture, spirituality, and traditions," Ferreira says, highlighting the emotional resonance of the narrative. Set in a small, arid town in northeastern Brazil, the novel weaves a tale around a neglected concrete head of St. Anthony, blending local folklore with themes of faith, isolation, and human resilience.
For international models who spend months away from their families, native languages, and cultural touchstones, finding books that reflect their home countries serves as a vital grounding mechanism. "I loved how the book mixes faith, mystery, and magical realism in such a beautiful and unique way," Ferreira notes. "It made me feel connected to my roots."
As the fashion industry continues its relentless cycle, pausing to observe these quiet backstage moments reveals a surprising intellectual depth among its principal figures. Whether grappling with the heavy moral choices in a 1930s drama, untangling psychological twists in a modern thriller, or seeking comfort in the familiar folklore of a distant homeland, these models prove that the most essential accessory for fashion month isn’t just worn on the body—it’s carried in a tote bag, waiting to be opened.