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The Vogue Factor: The Inside Story of Fashion's Most Illustrious Magazine by Kirstie Clements
annie_niemiec's review against another edition
2.0
Wanted to love this book a whole lot more but I found it a little clunky and forced. As a long term Vogue reader I expected more but was left a little disappointed.
tara_pikachu's review against another edition
1.0
Let's play a drinking game. Take a shot every time Kirstie Clements:
- name drops a famous fashion personality
- reminisces about the bygone era of fashion because it's all bloggers and instagram now
- flies a thousand miles for an all-expense paid 'conference' in some luxury european hotel
- comes across as bitter and patronising
I mean where is your personal story? I know nothing about the author except for the fact that she got married and had twins. Can you elaborate on how you became the editor of Vogue Australia..but skip on the networking part puh-leeze. You can't put together a bunch of revenge notes and call it a book!
- name drops a famous fashion personality
- reminisces about the bygone era of fashion because it's all bloggers and instagram now
- flies a thousand miles for an all-expense paid 'conference' in some luxury european hotel
- comes across as bitter and patronising
I mean where is your personal story? I know nothing about the author except for the fact that she got married and had twins. Can you elaborate on how you became the editor of Vogue Australia..but skip on the networking part puh-leeze. You can't put together a bunch of revenge notes and call it a book!
samstillreading's review against another edition
4.0
A memoir of a Vogue editor sounds like a compelling idea for a book. All that glamour, travel, fashion and beauty plus all the gossip behind the scenes of models, designers, the rich and famous… it’s a life that most of us will never live. Kirstie Clements held the coveted position of editor of Vogue Australia, but it was a culmination of hard work, long days, arduous travel and ever-changing boundaries in an increasingly shaky market. Clements managed to outlast a number of editors, CEOs and companies before her own ousting.
I think the main theme I found reading this memoir is tact. Clements is tactful and discreet, even in situations that would have been hurtful (such as being sacked). She doesn’t share names or spell out who in the industry is horrible. As she states many times, there is an element to Vogue which is to uphold increasingly forgotten values (such as good manners). Nor is this memoir gushing or boastful (although a trip overseas with Giorgio Armani is again something the average person will never experience).
Clements details many fashion shows, PR events, press trips, conferences and lavish functions. They are stated simply – no overload of detail or gushing of the expense, even though some of these events must have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars! She doesn’t go overboard either – not every season of every location’s fashion week is mentioned. There’s just enough to keep you interested and reading.
Although Clements does go into a small amount of detail about her husband and children, the focus is obviously Vogue. There are a lot of mentions of colleagues (some familiar to me, some before my time) and what they ended up doing after they left (usually, they were sacked for ‘changes in direction’). It can be a little difficult to keep tracking of who was doing what, but that was a minor point. Occasionally the timeline jumped around a bit, but it was for the most linear. Sometimes I would have liked more detail on particular events, but for the most it was an enjoyable read. Clements writes well and doesn’t let emotion cloud her perspective. I could have done with less on how social media and the internet are decimating the magazine industry, but it is a valid point that needs to be discussed.
A must for those who consider themselves Vogue.
Thank you to Melbourne University Press and Net Galley for the eARC.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
I think the main theme I found reading this memoir is tact. Clements is tactful and discreet, even in situations that would have been hurtful (such as being sacked). She doesn’t share names or spell out who in the industry is horrible. As she states many times, there is an element to Vogue which is to uphold increasingly forgotten values (such as good manners). Nor is this memoir gushing or boastful (although a trip overseas with Giorgio Armani is again something the average person will never experience).
Clements details many fashion shows, PR events, press trips, conferences and lavish functions. They are stated simply – no overload of detail or gushing of the expense, even though some of these events must have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars! She doesn’t go overboard either – not every season of every location’s fashion week is mentioned. There’s just enough to keep you interested and reading.
Although Clements does go into a small amount of detail about her husband and children, the focus is obviously Vogue. There are a lot of mentions of colleagues (some familiar to me, some before my time) and what they ended up doing after they left (usually, they were sacked for ‘changes in direction’). It can be a little difficult to keep tracking of who was doing what, but that was a minor point. Occasionally the timeline jumped around a bit, but it was for the most linear. Sometimes I would have liked more detail on particular events, but for the most it was an enjoyable read. Clements writes well and doesn’t let emotion cloud her perspective. I could have done with less on how social media and the internet are decimating the magazine industry, but it is a valid point that needs to be discussed.
A must for those who consider themselves Vogue.
Thank you to Melbourne University Press and Net Galley for the eARC.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
brendaclay's review against another edition
3.0
Before seeing this book on Netgalley, I had never heard of Kirstie Clements, former editor of Vogue Australia. But I like tell-all fashion books, and I like learning about Australian pop culture, so I checked out The Vogue Factor!
If you're looking for a true Devil Wears Prada, this memoir isn't it. From my perspective, Clements is refreshingly down-to-earth and appreciative of everything her career has brought her. After starting at Vogue as a receptionist in the 80s, she naturally climbed through the ranks and was eventually offered the editorship. Then, in 2012, she and almost her entire staff were laid off after a management change. Much of this book recalls her work with various models and designers, and encounters with celebrities. She's also very frank about what's wrong with the fashion industry, and the negative long-term effects of technology, advertising, and corporate ownership on the magazine industry as a whole.
Clements shares a little about her teen years, how she met her French husband, and the funny story of her twin sons' birth, but the rest of the book is sharply focused on her career. Still, her personality shines through, and I found The Vogue Factor pretty fascinating.
If you're looking for a true Devil Wears Prada, this memoir isn't it. From my perspective, Clements is refreshingly down-to-earth and appreciative of everything her career has brought her. After starting at Vogue as a receptionist in the 80s, she naturally climbed through the ranks and was eventually offered the editorship. Then, in 2012, she and almost her entire staff were laid off after a management change. Much of this book recalls her work with various models and designers, and encounters with celebrities. She's also very frank about what's wrong with the fashion industry, and the negative long-term effects of technology, advertising, and corporate ownership on the magazine industry as a whole.
Clements shares a little about her teen years, how she met her French husband, and the funny story of her twin sons' birth, but the rest of the book is sharply focused on her career. Still, her personality shines through, and I found The Vogue Factor pretty fascinating.
debbiemanning's review against another edition
4.0
I was a lucky Goodreads winner. I loved traveling around the world with Kirstie, and seeing the fashion industry through her eyes. I think my favorite chapter was the one about the time she spent with the Dutch royals. Some of her name dropping went over my head as I'm not a fashion insider, but not so much that it wasn't an enjoyable read. Although the book starts off with the author being fired (not a spoiler), after reading the book, I'm sure she's landed squarely on her feet.
chluless's review against another edition
3.0
The Vogue factor is a personal journal by Kirstie Clements to record her adventures in the bittersweet world of fashion as she rises from receptionist to editor of Vogue Australia.
Most importantly, this is not a revenge book for naming and shaming. The majority of the stories are positive and humorous, detailing amazing experiences and the funny, down to earth friends made in co-workers, models, and designers.
The negative stories of arrogance and general bitchiness did not name and shame individuals. Frank observations were made about the darker side of the industry like eating disorders, the advertising of the time, and those things which are not seen on the glossy magazine pages.
Overall, a fascinating inside view to a world magazine readers never get to see.
Most importantly, this is not a revenge book for naming and shaming. The majority of the stories are positive and humorous, detailing amazing experiences and the funny, down to earth friends made in co-workers, models, and designers.
The negative stories of arrogance and general bitchiness did not name and shame individuals. Frank observations were made about the darker side of the industry like eating disorders, the advertising of the time, and those things which are not seen on the glossy magazine pages.
Overall, a fascinating inside view to a world magazine readers never get to see.
bristoni74's review against another edition
2.0
I was so keen to read this. I enjoyed it but wanted more...what an editor does day-to-day and how vogue is pulled together, how she balanced work and motherhood. I'm sure its not all glamorous RTW, celebrities and couture. I liked her belief in integrity. I thinks its the most important element of leadership.
debumere's review against another edition
3.0
I liked parts and other parts not so much. In a nutshell I would love to be in Kirstie's shoes and been Vogue editor.