State of Grace

Hi everyone! New books are one of life's pleasures that are simply TADA! 

Let me tell you about a book I just finished reading.

        It's called GRACE.

via Gawker

It's a memoir by Grace Coddington.

If her name's not familiar, she's the creative director of 

American Vogue.

via pjmedia.com

Miss Coddington was "introduced" to the public in the documentary, "The September Issue", a behind the scenes look on how the year's biggest issue is put together. Here, the camera-shy yet strong-willed creative director is seen battling it out with editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour.

via Guardian UK

Before watching the film, I had the expectation of seeing Anna Wintour {right}, the so called "ice queen", in a different light. Maybe as a more gentle soul beneath the cold exterior? Instead, I got to know Miss Coddington. Then and there, I wanted to have "Team Grace" t-shirts made.

When she came out with this book late last year, I put it on my reading list ASAP -- I wanted to get to know this fascinating lady. You see, I'm drawn to strong women. They don't have to be soul-less individuals even if they've achieved a good amount of success and power. I saw that in Grace -- strong but she still had heart. 

The book chronicles her life in fashion, first as a model, and moving on to becoming an editor in both British and American Vogue. It's the colorful life of a woman dealing with love, family, friendship, loss and success.

I think the book is TADA! because:

It's inspiring.

She was a quiet little girl who grew up in rural Wales. The pages of Vogue consumed her as a teenager {"I bought it for the fantasy of looking at beautiful clothes, and I liked getting lost in its pages"}, then grew up to work for the magazine, making her an influential force in fashion.

via The Frisky

We can live vicariously through her.

Imagine her life: meeting designers, going to parties, traveling to dreamy destinations to shoot fashion stories, visiting the fashion capitals of the world to view pretty dresses, among other things.

via Pop Sugar

There's a lot of inside dish.

Like what does she really think of Anna Wintour? Or what her relationship is like with fashion designers like Yves Saint Laurent or photographers like Annie Leibovitz. Also, if, like the "September Issue", you're a fan of what happens behind the glitz and glamour {ex. making of a Vogue issue or the Costume Institute's annual exhibit at The Met}, it's all in this book.

via Off Glass

It provides a back story on Andre' Leon Talley.

{Vogue's toga-wearing, over the top creative director before Grace inherited the position.}

"Grace" is an easy read that shows how one's blah life can turn into TADA!, and will leave you with a greater appreciation for fashion and fashion magazines.