You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Sometimes you're stuck inside during a pandemic, relegated to an existence that revolves around changing out of your night pajamas into your day pajamas and then back to your night pajamas, and you just really want to escape your reality by reading gossipy hyperbole about the Duke of Windsor, Josephine Baker, and Balenciaga (DV describes feeling like she was about to "blow up and die" from excitement when she saw his clothes; same, DV!!).
This book was a goddamned trip, and I enjoyed nearly every minute of it (the only minute I didn't love was the strange chapter that showcased some weird, blithe, old-school racism mixed with an earnest belief that white western-centric civilization is on the decline in favor of a better, more diverse future; just because you believe the latter, Diana, does not justify your wearing of Cartier "blackamoor" pins. No! Thanks!). The prose is a bit breathless and grandiloquent, but you quickly get used to it, and it eventually becomes part of the charmingly mad scenery. I recommend accompanying these clearly hyperbolic reminiscences with a perusal of DV's Wikipedia page or Amy Fine Collins' profile for Vanity Fair to get a better understanding of the extraordinarily hard-working and troubled iconoclast lurking beneath the kooky society dame exterior presented in this memoir.
This book was a goddamned trip, and I enjoyed nearly every minute of it (the only minute I didn't love was the strange chapter that showcased some weird, blithe, old-school racism mixed with an earnest belief that white western-centric civilization is on the decline in favor of a better, more diverse future; just because you believe the latter, Diana, does not justify your wearing of Cartier "blackamoor" pins. No! Thanks!). The prose is a bit breathless and grandiloquent, but you quickly get used to it, and it eventually becomes part of the charmingly mad scenery. I recommend accompanying these clearly hyperbolic reminiscences with a perusal of DV's Wikipedia page or Amy Fine Collins' profile for Vanity Fair to get a better understanding of the extraordinarily hard-working and troubled iconoclast lurking beneath the kooky society dame exterior presented in this memoir.
Need a lighter, pool-side type of read...
I just couldn't relate to this book much less finish it. Diana Vreeland was "the" editor at Harpers Bazaar back in the day (think Anna Wintour at Vogue...just snobbier). I picked this book up for $1.00 because I knew who she was and thought her life would be interesting to read about...I was wrong. It's a self-written auto biography published in 1984 and Diana Vreeland should have hired a ghost writer. Not only is she aloof and condescending but as a writer, she's got a major case of in diagnosed ADD and I just couldn't keep up with her ramblings (nor did I want to after chapter 5).
I just couldn't relate to this book much less finish it. Diana Vreeland was "the" editor at Harpers Bazaar back in the day (think Anna Wintour at Vogue...just snobbier). I picked this book up for $1.00 because I knew who she was and thought her life would be interesting to read about...I was wrong. It's a self-written auto biography published in 1984 and Diana Vreeland should have hired a ghost writer. Not only is she aloof and condescending but as a writer, she's got a major case of in diagnosed ADD and I just couldn't keep up with her ramblings (nor did I want to after chapter 5).
I recently watched a documentary about the life of Diana Vreeland (1903-1989) and discovered there was a companion book available. Basically it’s a collection of witty and colourful conversations Diana conducted while filming. She reminisces about her past: growing up in Paris in the early 1900s, living in London, and finally settling down in New York City, married with two boys. Diana came from a privileged background and she married well! She led a glamorous social life and was a fashion icon for over fifty years holding positions like Fashion Editor at Harper’s Bazaar, Editor-in-Chief at Vogue and consultant at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She was quite an eccentric character and inspired many in the fashion world.
This is a tough book to rate and describe.
In some ways, it's a fascinating look into the mind and world of the ultra-privileged in the early and mid-20th century. If you can continue to look at it through that lens, the book is fun, interesting, and humorous. However, for me, that facade started to slip when she spoke about WWII...not only did she basically skip over talking about it, the only thing she chose to share were her feelings on being away from Paris and Parisian fashion for so long.
The book and the woman are thoroughly vapid, and any of its charm gets lost in the end. Even though she is obviously more classy and better educated than, say, a Paris Hilton, that comparison seems apt. "What is Iraq? I can't bother because I'm too busy buying shoes and hanging out with other rich people."
In some ways, it's a fascinating look into the mind and world of the ultra-privileged in the early and mid-20th century. If you can continue to look at it through that lens, the book is fun, interesting, and humorous. However, for me, that facade started to slip when she spoke about WWII...not only did she basically skip over talking about it, the only thing she chose to share were her feelings on being away from Paris and Parisian fashion for so long.
The book and the woman are thoroughly vapid, and any of its charm gets lost in the end. Even though she is obviously more classy and better educated than, say, a Paris Hilton, that comparison seems apt. "What is Iraq? I can't bother because I'm too busy buying shoes and hanging out with other rich people."
Well it’s just as grand and rife with details from a life in fashion surrounded by just the most ridiculous and compelling characters…think “My Dinner With Andre” but replace art and philosophy with fashion and all things New York at its toniest. I loved it. What a snapshot…
What a fabulous way to end the year with this book. It deserves to be read out loud imitating Diana’s voice if you can. The opulence of it all. The story of a life truly lived out loud is so inspiring. The fashions. The luxury. The travel. The creative people. This is a must read for anyone interested in the fashion industry or anyone just interested in living a full, unique, beautiful life. Diana is one of a kind and this book is one I will go back to as a reminder of how amazing and wonderful life can be.
informative
slow-paced
Who doesn't want a glimpse into the inner-workings of out-of-touch elites? This reads like parody, but isn't. It'd probably knock your socks off, were it an audiobook. The voice and extravagance are what did it for me, can't say I was ever too involved with anything that 'happened.'
Noteworthy quotes:
You never know what you're going to get with Andy Warhol.
Let's suppose you were a total stranger—and a very good friend. That's a good combination. What would you want to know about me? And how would you go about finding it out?
I never wore clothes from Seventh Avenue myself, you understand.
Chutney is marvelous—I'm mad about it. TO me, it's very imperial. It's very much the empire, Victoria. the maharajahs...the great days.
Most people haven't got a point of view; they need to have it given to them—and what's more, they expect it from you.
Horses smell better than people—I can tell you that.
Noteworthy quotes:
You never know what you're going to get with Andy Warhol.
Let's suppose you were a total stranger—and a very good friend. That's a good combination. What would you want to know about me? And how would you go about finding it out?
I never wore clothes from Seventh Avenue myself, you understand.
Chutney is marvelous—I'm mad about it. TO me, it's very imperial. It's very much the empire, Victoria. the maharajahs...the great days.
Most people haven't got a point of view; they need to have it given to them—and what's more, they expect it from you.
Horses smell better than people—I can tell you that.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced