Любовь. Стиль. Жизнь

by Garance Doré, Гаранс Доре

Это долгожданная первая книга Гаранс Доре - фотографа, иллюстратора, стилиста и самого, пожалуй, модного сегодня фэшн-блогера: ее сайт отмечает более двух миллионов посетителей и более пяти миллионов просмотров страниц в месяц. В Instagram у Гаранс 125 тысяч подписчиков, в Twitter - 240 тысяч. Газета New York Times назвала ее "Хранительницей Стиля", парижский Vogue включил в число 40 женщин десятилетия, французский Elle - в 30 самых влиятельных, а GQ - в 25 самых стильных женщин мира моды...
Гаранс - лауреат премии Американского Совета модельеров Eugenia Sheppard Media Award, которцю называют "Оскаром мира моды". В качестве фотографа, иллюстратора и автора текстов Гаранс сотрудничает с Vogue, Elle, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Guardian, New York Magazine. В числе ее заказчиков такие бренды как Chloe, Chopard, Dior, Kate Spade, David Yurman, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, L’Oreal, Prada, Tiffany & Co.
Эта книга, по словам самой Гаранс, - "разговор обо всем, из чего состоит жизнь современной женщины - о моде, стиле, работе, любви... С помощью текста, фотографий и иллюстраций - потому что именно так я выражаю себя наиболее полно".

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Lifestyle, Memoir, Design, Coffee Table Books, Biography

264 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2015

Reviews

[Roxana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me tell you something important: don't buy the ebook! I mean it! Buy the book or borrow it.

I love books that give you an experience and this is one of them. It's full of beautiful pictures and illustrations that take your reading experience to another level.

About the book... to be honest, this time last year I didn't know who Garance Doré was, but since then I found out a little bit. After this book I can say I love her. She is such a fun and wonderful woman and she made me laugh a lot.

She is ironic (she isn't afraid to make fun of the parisians and the new yorkers and also to make fun of herself) and friendly, always with a good advice for you. It felt like a laid-back meeting with a friend I haven't seen in a long time, chatting about life, love, fashion & beauty at a parisian café.

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Вечер дома одна: бокал белого, Шуберт в исполнении Соколова, книжка с картинками.

***
Из недостатков книжки: так много о прекрасных курящих француженках, что хочется немедленно пойти затянуться. Олсо, когда автор говорит о своей неидеальной фигуре, хочется обнять и ее, и себя.

Из достоинств: приятно не похоже на простой сборник постов блога или лонгрид из модного журнала. Доходчиво и ненавязчиво о том, как перестать жрать (зачеркнуто) корить себя за лишний кусок хлеба и не портить талию пирожными; как носить красную помаду; почему винтажная сумка круче новой; как здороваться с людьми, если у вас в одной руке клатч, а в другой - бокал шампанского (ответ: никак).

Ещё очень понравилось, как она написала про манеру людей (не) здороваться, или что здороваться с людьми по-разному, основываясь на их социальном положении, - признак убийственно дурного тона.

«Netiquette

- из-за чего мы выглядим эксгибиционистами:

"Посмотрите, маленькая шалунья только что срыгнула на мою блузку от баленсьяги! О боже, какая прелесть!"
К детишкам я отношусь более терпимо, потому что знаю: родителям не сдержаться. В них будто вселяется чужой, они перестают быть собой. И длится это года два. Или всю жизнь.»

[Nickolette · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK… This book is not as bad as "It" by Alexa Chung and not as good as "Luella’s Guide To English Style" by Luella Bartley. (The latter I consider a masterpiece in the genre, even more so after reading the other ones.) We shouldn’t be very harsh when approaching these kinds of books. After all we are looking for a light, undemanding read and something visually pleasurable. We should approach with the right set of expectations. If you enjoy it and don’t have the feeling you are losing you time, it’s ok. And truly, the first half is cool in the fashion dedicated pages and entertaining in the comparisons between parties in Paris and in New York and how it is at fashion week. (I haven’t read Doré’s blog previously, so I didn’t mind if that was already published – it was all new to me.) By the end however it gets annoying. I didn’t like that cheeky way of talking to the reader, and I didn’t really care about her love life, the light-hearted stuff bordered with the infantile, and the interviews were straight dull. What is more, the personal bits that she shares are so safe, it is as bad as a presidential autobiography.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any lover of true style must read this book. I've read more style guides and fashion magazines than I can count. Trust me when I say that Garance's book is the one that spoke to my soul. Her wisdom and knowledge of strong, accomplished women and how they think is dead on. Strive not for style, strive to be impeccable, kind and empowered. Never look back!

[Catrinel Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garance is a warm human being and the book is a perfect mirror of her blog! positive, inspiring and shiny

[Shelby Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I enjoyed the voice, which felt like a conversation with a really stylish, super-chic friend. There are so many Francophile books, but this is different in that it's written by a Corsican woman of Italian decent (but who is undeniably French) and her take on New Yorkers and blending Parisian and NY style. This is a book that's a large much fun to read as it is a gorgeous coffee table book. Bravo!

[Irina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very simple and down to earth advice to every woman. Really feels like you're somewhere in a cafe with a friend and she decides to tell you the story of her life. Style is not just about makeup and clothing, there's a lot more like how you behave in society. And of course there are different societies. Author makes a lot of fun comparing lifestyle of Parisians and New Yorkers. Completely enjoyed it because it is such a light and fun reading.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would never buy a book written by a blogger. When I heard Garance was putting a book out, I rolled my eyes and said to myself I would never buy it. I love her blog, I love her aesthetic but I thought her book would be just another 'guide to style' ridiculous money-making schtick.

This book is literally giving me the chills right now. Go get it. It will lift your soul.

[Martina Buresta · Rating 2 out of 5]

i have no idea who she is, have no idea why I bought this in 2018, have no idea why I finished it now, good night

[Andreea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never got the hype back in the mid 2010s, definitely didn’t age well now. Credit to the author for being authentic and having the courage to reinvent herself so many times though. Those parts were fun to read, but felt glossed over compared to the fashion bits. I'd have read more about that then the 'zaragasm' and ruined clutches.

[Autumn Kovach · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very pretty book and is made up of pretty pictures and long lists. I love/hated this book though and here is my analysis:

Reasons I liked it:
-She wrote about her career, travels, friends and love lives from a 40-year-old perspective, which I appreciated. It was reassuring that you can reinvent yourself many times throughout your life.
-I liked her comparisons of New York to Paris; party life, eating habits, style and social interactions and norms.
-She gave great tips for how to establish a wardrobe, staple items, make-up routines and all of those feminine things. Many of these, I believe I have figured out for myself from reading other similar blogs and books. It's a great resource for those who are still discovering their style.

Reasons I didn't like it:
-She summarized New York in a way that was very superficial and maybe that comes from her view in the fashion industry. One thing I didn't like was that she said if you don't know anyone famous in New York, then do you really live there. I was like, excuse me? A lot more goes into living in this city besides living in the Village, attending amazing parties, having a perfect finance boyfriend, having the perfect job, body and apartment. I feel these pressures all of the time and then have them summed up in a book that is supposed to inspire me, was disappointing and annoying.
-Some of her personal rules, she wrote as absolute truth as opposed to this-is-just-another-perspective. But maybe that's how I'll be when I'm 40. And she certainly has done her work and put in her time to have an opinion. It's simply not everyone's.

Favorite quotes:

"I did not always know what I wanted to do, but I knew very, very early that I wanted to be a woman who was independent, who was in charge of her life, who could pay her bills, and who did not depend on a man. The man would be a choice." -Diane Von Furstenberg

"Some friendships die but it doesn't mean they weren't beautiful and true."

[Dallas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began reading Garance's blog to practice my French after moving to Montreal nearly 10 years ago. Throughout the years, her art and writing have been hugely influential for me. This book is a wonderful complement to her blog, and a lovely tangible way to have a piece of her beautiful world in my home. My favourite part of the book is where she talks about "elegance de coeur."

[Vesna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, passionate writer - loved to read about how her style evolved through her life and her search of who she is, what is meaningful to her and of course - romance. Great take on exploring her relationships at the end

[Maggie Dore · Rating 5 out of 5]

1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 stars.

[Bec Rindler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and light beachy read, nothing special but good for vacation

[Катерина Казакова · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ніби провела час із подругою, обсудили моду, позаглядались на чоловіків, пожалілись на батьків, помріяти про Париж і Нью-Йорк…
Для мене це був ковток свіжого повітря на фоні останніх новин.

[Susannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read this because I had heard of Garance as a famous style blogger, and also because I knew her to be the partner of The Sartorialist, whose books I have also read.
Although she touches on style in this book, it is less about style dos and don'ts, and more about her history, and the direction her life has taken.
It was interesting reading about the various jobs she has had, and how she came to be at the forefront of the fashion blogger movement, almost by accident.
There is are interesting details about her family, and how she relates to them. There is also a lot about her love life - she falls in love a lot. I was sad to learn that she is no longer with The Sartorialist.
I enjoyed the book, even thought it was not entirely what I was expecting. I guess I was expecting more of a fashion/style/blogger/lifestyle guide, but it was a lot more personal than that.

[Becki Iverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Garance Dore has long been my favorite blogger. I definitely have had some growing pains as her style and blog has evolved - I miss the old, singular voice format she used - but I still love reading her poignant prose and looking at her gorgeous photographs and illustrations.

Most of LovexStylexLife felt more like a magazine ad than a book, but there were great moments. In particular, Garance's observations on love and relationships at the end of the book have really stuck with me and I have already passed them on to friends asking for advice. I enjoyed this as a big fan, but if you are new to Garance I'd encourage you to check out her blog first, especially in its original format. Garance is one of the wittiest writers around and you won't regret it!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am of two minds on this book. On the one hand, I liked her insights into following your interests and individuality. There isn't anything new here but she delivers the message with integrity and a breezy manner that is compelling. On the other hand, there is some less interesting, near shallow material about the fashion industry and how wonderful her life is. This odd mismatch may be because the origin of her book is a blog so the audience is assumed to know much about her. That said, I enjoyed the illustrations and the overall worldview of this book. It is inspiring.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about the author's influences and how they shaped her. The difference between Paris and New York was also fascinating. I thought her fashion suggestions were also good.

The big quote pages scattered throughout were hard to read both due to font and how they were laid out across the spine of the book and the strikethroughs in certain parts of the book were annoying.

[Julia James Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and humorous insight into the vacuous world of New York fashion. Garance - you have sold out! You should have stayed in Paris!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming. Reading this felt like getting loving advice from a chic, French older sister. A sweet quick read.

[Sukhpreet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very pretty. Very fluffy. Not as good as her blog used to be, which has long also not been as good as it used to be. A decent bedside book for occasional reading, which took me many years to finish because I was rarely compelled to pick it up again, but it was also light and nice to read before bed when I did.

[Daniela Tabakovič · Rating 4 out of 5]

Túto nechám v knižnici pre dcéru, keď bude mať 15 akoby našla. Ľahší žáner ma dievčensky potešil. Milé.

[Kaia Zakrzewska · Rating 4 out of 5]

zbudowało mi to postać w gimnazjum

[Milica Stojiljkovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Podsetilo me je na "Kako biti Parižanka gde god da si". Simpatično, ima korisnih informacija i brzo se čita. Preporuka za one koje zanima moda.

[Ivana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast read and I enjoyed it very much!

I've become very interested in books such as this one.

[shanghao]

From Garance Dore's instagram post today, 9th Nov 2016:

I don't think at any point I had pictured this could happen. Maybe I watch too many American movies with a happy ending. Last night, Chris and I didn't know what to do. He was pacing, I was curled under the sheets, unable to sleep but wanting desperately to wake up to a brighter day.
Then I heard Chris in the middle of the night.
That's it, he won, he said.
In my sleep, my heart ripped apart.

My vision of a progressive world, where women and men are finally equals, where racism is a thing of the past, where people of all color, religion and sexual orientation come together in a respectful way, where we work together to change a world and make it a place of healing, of care, attention for others and for our poor planet, that vision just broke down in million pieces at my feet.

What did people say yesterday?
That they are afraid.
I have a few people in my life that vote for Trump. Or Le Pen, in France. I didn't choose them to be like that, but they are and I listen to them. They're not the devil. They're good people. I swear they're good people! What they feel is powerless. They feel forgotten. They feel like they've given everything for a system that left them lacking, poor, empty.
They've been made to believe the answer is force, ejection, walls.

And why had I not imagined this could happen? Because I live behind closed walls too. The walls of my life, of my social media feeds, catered by me for me with the help of crazy algorithms that make it almost impossible to get a wider view of the world, presenting to me a landscape that conforms to my beliefs... But that is an absolute illusion.
And today, it's time to wake up from the dream.

These people I know, nothing I'll say will make them change.
There is only one thing to do. Keep loving them. And live and act on my beliefs like I've never done before.

If fear prompted that disaster, then let's not be fearful. Lets stop building walls. Lets look at each other and not fear the truth. Let's cultivate hope, care, compassion, and responsibility. Lets look around us and take each other's hands. Let's inspire and forgive.
Let's hope for an American movie happy ending, soon, soon enough.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never been a fan of Garance Dore before reading this book, but the cover popped out to me and I decided to give it a go. I can now say I find myself browsing Garance's website and find myself thinking about buying her illustrations...read this book! If you want a light-hearted story about just what the title expresses- go for it. If you are looking for a fashion read with a bit of narrative, this is a great read for you, but it's more of a collection of ideas, and not very chapter novel orientated. Any work of writing by a blogger has that charming element of brevity! No one likes long blog posts and this book is very much the same. It would make a great coffee table book, something to collect and stack in an apartment next to a Chanel, or Vogue. I am now a huge fan of Garance and she has a very interesting life. Like most creative types she didn't have a traditional career choice lined up for her and its very interesting to see the formation of her career and it's lack of cohesion that so might believe leads you into the world of fashion. It's a darling book, I absolutely recommend it!

The cover art for this book is inspirational and the illustrations, ideas and fashion advice is something I have taken to heart. Read up! Hope you like it!

[Pomaranczuk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book itself - its colours, paper, fonts and photos. It's pretty and a pleasure to flick through. Too bad the content was a disappointment - guess I expected way more from Garance Dore.
The interviews pretty shallow, personal stories felt mostly staged, style tips rather basic. The NY-Paris comparisons were redundant space fillers (Though I understand their idea was to show how at some point in life you get the feeling of not belonging completely to a certain world and the solution is to always be yourself and not try to fit in desperately).

That being said I always look for inspiration and life lessons in succesful women's memoirs. Here I am thankful to Garance for openly admitting she's a latebloomer. She says "It can take a second to lose your track and many years to find it again" and proves the latter is possible. This is precious advice in times of happy perfect people.

I've read the Polish edition and think the translation could be better - felt stiff at times. I suspect my rating would be higher had I read it in the original langauge version.