Always Pack a Party Dress: And Other Lessons Learned From a (Half) Life in Fashion

You know what? I LIKED this book... Yes -- I can see where people might think -- "Gosh -- she's got it all -- friendships with famous people like Diana Ross' daughter, mentors like DV, Anna Wintour (who comes across like more than a little controlling in these pages...), and famed photographer Patrick Demarchalier. Plus -- she's tall, blonde, thin, with a natural outdoorsy chic that Ralph Lauren has been trying to mint for decades. Oh, and she's created an enviable home life with her hunktastic husband ("Looks Brooks!") that she met and fell in love with at the age of 24. (So, yeah, not much heartache.) But for all that, I found Brooks' book readable, relatable, entertaining and yes, I even learned a few things. (And I know a LOT about fashion.) AB is an extremely good writer and the photographs alone are worth the book. I thought she came across as humble and grateful, even for her life. (Having known some of these gals, I sometimes have to wonder -- do they have any idea how fortunate they are? Some do, I suppose. Must, IMO don't, and take the fact that they were "born on third base," for granted.) I found Brooks extremely honest about her life even if it is more gilded than most -- but does that make her experience any less valid? A fun read. Very entertaining and moving. I am def sending a copy to my nieces.

a light read which is amusing but not that informative for someone interested in fashion

Like the other reviewers I really enjoyed this book. I thumbed thru it at first but when I got to the Fadhion Week challenges I could not put it down. I related to her dilemmas but was also interested in what it is really like to work in the Fashion industry. I went thru a similar choice to leave the corporate world and loved seeing that choice thru her eyes. She was generously candid. I look forward to another work from her.

LOVE Amanda and loved this book. A great resource and one I come back to time and time again. Makes a great gift too. If you haven't yet explored Amanda's blog, I Love Your Style, I highly recommend visiting soon. She is a gem!!

I loved this book! An entertaining and interesting read, the thing that struck me the most was the authenticity in Brooks' voice. Reading this book was like spending the weekend with a dear friend from college, where (over glasses of Chardonnay) the conversation flows naturally from work, to husbands, to children, to the inevitable challenges in life. I truly appreciated Brooks' willingness to share the good, the bad and the ugly (Disney Princess at the Met Ball--Ouch!!!) and her writing has a wonderful, effortless, conversational rhythm on these topics. I also enjoyed "I Love Your Style," but I like this book more because I truly felt more of the author's personality coming through. If Ms. Brooks has any doubt about what direction her career should be taking--she shouldn't. Writing books like this is what she is meant to do.

I'll start by saying that this book wasn't exactly what I'd expected. With its colorful cover, amusing title, and (somewhat misleading) description, I was expecting something more irreverent and entertaining. Instead, this is a memoir from someone who is really too young to be writing a memoir. The Good: - Although I wasn't expecting it, Brooks includes career advice and mottos applicable to those working in any field, not just fashion. These are sprinkled throughout the book. Brooks is driven by ambition and this will resonate with readers who are passionate about their work. - If you enjoy photography, you'll appreciate the stunning images in this book. Brooks got her start behind the camera and has an eye for composition. Even though she isn't the photographer, she knows what will look good. - Brooks acknowledges the support she's received from mentors, and makes a point to "pay it forward" with those trying to build their careers. Good advice for us all. - Brooks has enough self assurance to include stories of her mistakes and failures, and even some unflattering pictures. The Bad: - I question the premise of a memoir from someone so young who really hasn't done anything unique (e.g. Malala can write about surviving the Talaban attack, the Cleveland hostages can write about their ordeal, etc.). This book would have been much better had Brooks either: a) included stories from the fashion world about people other than herself, or b) made this more of a career/style book. - While Brooks graciously thanks her mentors, and by all accounts has a strong work ethic, she seems obliviously blind to the fact that her family's extreme wealth and connections gave her an enormous leg-up in pursing her dream career. Lily Pulitzer introduced her mother and father and custom designed her mother's bridesmaid dresses. Brooks's college roommate was Diana Ross's daughter. In college Brooks dated Diane von Furstenburg's son. The connections go on from there. Her first college internship was as a photography assistant to the top fashion photographer of the day (a friend of a friend) and as an intern she was always on location -- St. Bart's, Miami, etc. -- helping with photo shoots of Kate Moss, Johnny Depp, Madonna, etc. How many college interns do you know who had that experience?! - The book rambles. The chapters seem a bit scatter shot, and some lines are literally repeated. A few times while reading I said to myself, "Didn't I *just* read this?" I went back to the previous chapter to confirm I had. In short, unless you are an absolute die-hard Fashion (with a capital "F") fanatic, you can skip this one. 2.5 stars Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Blue Rider Press for the opportunity to review a galley of this book.

I was so excited to read this book. Being that she has an extensive history in the world of high end fashion, I really thought that she was going to write more about giving the reader inspiration and tips to spice up our wardrobe or find ways to define our style. However, the book was a memoir of her ENTIRE life's story. Seems as though she included every detail of her life and I didn't benefit from it. The pictures are super cool but they are all about her family life, where she lives, and all of that jazz. Not to mention that this book seems like it is suited for an older audience as well so I found it kind of hard to relate to her. Anyway, I'm sorry to be so harsh but it is what it is. Very misleading title. Lastly, I didn't finish the book, and now I feel stuck with it. I wish I could have saved myself from buying it!

I liked it - a very interesting read, and unlike so many similar book, this has plenty of material to actually read, with pictures to keep you entertained. Some reviewers mentioned it is a snobbish book, and it seems so - in a way, name dropping and referencing labels few can afford. On the other hand, you have a chance to read about 'not your daily' life.

El libro me resultó interesante por las anécdotas sobre el mundo de la moda que relata pero me dejó un poco fría porque esperaba encontrar algunos consejos relativos a la carrera cuando a mitad de libro te das cuenta de que se trata de una mujer con suerte que adquirió cierta fama por dejarse ver en determinadas fiestas y relacionarse con determinada gente y no por sus méritos profesionales o su tesón. Es un libro anecdótico que en mi opinión no vale mucho porque el mensaje que transmite su autora no es ni fuerte ni inspirador.

ein sehr unterhaltsames Buch, das einen anekdotischen Einblick in die New Yorker Modewelt gibt... gute Lektüre für einen Urlaubstag am Pool

it was ok. but not really that much interesting. if you really into fashion you'll like it. but i won't read it again.