Tales from the Back Row: An Outsiders View from Inside the Fashion Industry | Amy Odell
"Hilarious, insightful and smart. A must-read for anyone who wears clothes. Chelsea Handler *US Weekly, Riveting Reads for Labor Day* *Bustle, 2015 Books Every Funny Woman Should Read and September 2015s Best Books* *Refinery29 Falls Most Highly Anticipated Nonfiction Reads* *theSkimm, Skimm Reads* *Popsugar, Motivational Books You Should Read this Fall* *AM NY, New Books for New Yorkers to Read This Fall* The Lowdown on High Fashion Cosmopolitan.com editor Amy Odell knows what its really like to be a young woman working in the fashion industry.In Tales from the Back Row, Amyfunny and fearlesstakes readers behind the stage of New Yorks hottest fashion shows to meet the worlds most influential models, designers, celebrities, editors, and photographers. But first, she has to push her way through the crowds outside, where we see the lengths people go to be noticed by the lurking paparazzi, and weave her way through the packed venue, from the very back row to the front. And as Amy climbs the ladder (with tips about how you can, too), she introduces an industry powered by larger-than-life characters: she meets the intimidating Anna Wintour and the surprisingly gracious Rachel Zoe, not to mention the hilarious Chelsea Handler, and more. As she describes the allure of Alexander Wangs ripped tights and Marchesas Oscar-worthy dresses, Amy artfully layers in something else: ultimately this book is about how the fashion industry is an exaggerated mirror of human fallibilityreflecting our desperate desire to belong, to make a mark, to be included. For Amy is the first to admit that as much as she is embarrassed by the thrill she gets when she receives an invitation to an exclusive after-party, she cant help but RSVP yes.