Confessions of a Fashionista by Angela Clarke
Genre; Autobiographical/Humour
The incredibly popular Daily Mail column, ‘Confessions of a Fashionista’, feeds its hungry readers snippets of a life in the glittering yet deranged world of fashion. Now its anonymous author reveals both her identity and the true story of her giddyingly glamorous time in the style industry, with insider gossip on the people who populate it.
Propelled by a painful end to a relationship and determined to prove her ex wrong for breaking up with her, our Fashionista lands a place on the Harrods Graduate Scheme. A complete outsider to the fashion world, she sets out on a wing and a pair of Guccis, and finds herself in a whirlwind of couture and craziness. Along the way she learns how to stay sane in a world where hairdressers have egos as big as their clients’ bouffants, where dogs fly business class, and if you’re eating carbs it can only be because you’re pregnant.
Confessions of a Fashionista is a book for anyone who’s ever been an outsider, for anyone who’s ever had a relationship end badly and thought they’d never find true love, and for anyone who thinks that cakes were made to be eaten, not sniffed. By turns hilarious, sad, thrilling, romantic and fun, it is the It book for fashionistas everywhere.
My Thoughts:
I picked this book up because I know Angela through social media. She’s funny, kind and generous. I then met up with her for something to eat while I was in London, recently. We have the awful EDS in common, as well as a love of writing and reading. I don’t think a book about the fashion industry would necessarily have come across my radar otherwise.
But, I’m so glad it did.
In the middle of an awful reading slump, I need books that are outside what I normally read, to try to lift me out of it, and this book did just that. It had me laughing out loud. In fact, I’m surprised members of my family didn’t come to check to see if I was okay when I got to the part about sniffing cake because I was laughing so hard. I couldn’t stop. And I couldn’t put this book down.
Angela has a wonderful sense of humour throughout and you get a real look inside the crazy world that is the fashion industry – from the perspective of someone who is a little bit amazed by it all even as she works it. The long hours, the parties, the crazy thought processes, it’s all in here. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in a world that just seems so far-flung from where you are, and you want to laugh at the same time, then this is a great read for you.
MarinaSofia says
Certainly not the kind of book I would normally associate with you, but sometimes we need the unexpected to lift us out of a reading slump. I’m glad it made you laugh and it seems to have worked!
Rebecca Bradley says
It did. And I have said in the past I should read more widely yet I still stick mostly to crime. I have to change that.
Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh) says
If it got you out of your reading slump, then that’s awesome.
Rebecca Bradley says
It did and it was interesting to read about a world I know nothing about as well.
Margot Kinberg says
It sounds hilarious, Rebecca, and an interesting look into the world of fashion. And I agree with you about how useful it can be sometimes to read something utterly and completely outside one’s usual fare during a reading slump. Why not? Glad this one worked for you.
Rebecca Bradley says
It really did Margot. And it was interesting as well, to see inside a whole other world we don’t consider much. Fascinating.
Angela says
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, lovely. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you xxxx
Rebecca Bradley says
You’re welcome! I really enjoyed it. It made me smile and laugh and that’s something worth sharing with others. 🙂 x