Grace: A Memoir

I just finished this book. I am a little outraged with myself at almost believing the discouraging review here on Amazon that Coddington was not a great writer. Like thats been her job in life! And thats why I gave it the benefit of the doubt and bought it. I actually bought the book because I figured it would be a beautiful, although heavy book, but thats because the paper is thick and sensous. The cover is bright orange to match her amazing hair.There are so many amazing things about this book. No, great writer she isnt but she was smart enough to find a great editor. She herself knows, if nothing else, when something is good and when it is mediocre so I am sure there were many exacting drafts. It was totally entertaining and if you love fashion and creativity and the life it generates then this is the book for you. I was transfixed and even found myself smiling if not laughing outloud. She is very charming.All of this is great but what struck me the very most was none of these things. The most important part of the book was to see the world she came from in the sixties and seventies and the eighties. Without being nostalgic I have to say that I was reminded of an art, a creative world, a cultural aesthetic world and the people who created it and how wholly devoted they were to it. Money was scarce, people were having a blast and what was considered the best was what people got. The best was driven by aesthetic value, not celebrity, social status or money, it was the work of someone who really cared about creative integrity. I roll my eyes as I speak this phrase but there was a time where it did matter and it wasnt ironic and it was respected as the best work. Everyone working in any cultural field today especially under the age of 38 should read this book. Not a story of a better time, just a story of how art looks when it isnt being run by lots of money. When the art is at the top of the list of priority in how something is made.

Grace: A Memoir was a relaxing, fun read. No tension, no struggles just a wonderful narrative of her life first as a model during the hip 1960's London and Carnaby Street. Then her story evolves into her life as a fashion editor for high fashion magazines. She started in London and then finally ends up at the American Vogue as the second in command to Anna Wintour. Along the way she describes events and photo shoots with lots of famous models, photographers and gives the reader a very intimate personal entry into the world of high fashion, such as the distant photo shots on mountain tops and secluded private beaches around the world. She herself is a very interesting woman and she has a very strong and positive working relationship with Anna Wintour at American Vogue, which you may know is not known for her warm fuzzy personality. But, Grace can handle her without lots of drama and she does. Anyone who is fascinated by fashion and the way it is communicated to the world will find this an absolute wonderful read. It is well over 400 pages but I zipped through it in two settings because of it's ease with the reader. Worth every penny I paid for it. I would love to meet Grace sometime, I know I would like her, actually I do already. She lives with a interesting man in NYC who was a former hairdresser, someone whose path crossed with hers as they did shoots all over the world.

I absolutely adore this book and would recommend it to anyone with a deep and abiding love for fashion. I would say the average person on the street probably would find this book a bit dull because of various names of models, famous photographers, designers etc. that are only familiar if you know about brands other than Coach and Dooney and Bourke ;). I loved that Grace seemed very modest and I related to her affinity for cats but I think what really stood out was her narration of live in Wales and her early beginnings as a model. She seemed almost approachable and even painted a fair portrait of her boss, Anna Wintour.

Grace Coddington is such a fascinating woman! I love her! I have to tell you a short story. I bought this for my Mother for Christmas. We had watched the DVD "The September Issue" several times and I wanted to learn more about Ms. Coddington. I was thrilled when I saw that she had written a book. I ordered the book and received it at my Mothers house ( that is where we all visit for the holidays). Mother opened it by mistake. Mother asked me if it was for my sister (who is a fashion/costume designer). I was so angry and told her it was for her for Christmas. She of course was thrilled. I read it before I wrapped it and then she read it after she unwrapped it. Ms. Coddington has had a wonderful life and I can't wait for the sequel to this book. I love her layouts and creativity in Vogue and always look forward to seeing what she does next. I highly recommend this book.

A lot of the world was introduce to Grace Coddington when the movie, The September Issue, came out about how Vogue puts the greatest issue of the year together. But, if you are a Vogue fanatic (like me) and have access to the internet (like me), you know who the woman behind the vision of the fashion editorials at Vogue is. This is her story.I started out by listening to it as she read and had to buy the book. This woman...this ICON of fashion has been everywhere, done everything and met everyone. She is so humble and it comes through in this book. I've been amazed by her fashion editorial spreads for years but to hear how she decides what to do, how to dress the models, how she wants them to stand, etc. is fascinating.Her early years as a model and the things she's been through in her life make her even more down to earth.I so admire her and all she's done. Keep on keeping on, Grace. I hope you have many more years to make your magic at Vogue.

Came in a plastic wrapping to preserve the book. Very thick book and quality hard cover material.If you don’t like extra unnecessary(to you ) details this book can be boring at various stages . Enjoyed the fashion parts of the memoir .The humor of the author is great and kept me to interested to keep reading.