Customer Reviews

Confessions of a Window Dresser

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. Doonan's personal od(d)yssey begins in dreary Reading, England turns violently into the ultra-chic dept. store of Maxfield's on the Sunset Strip, then veers off into the never-never land of Barney's. This is a visually stunning book, a great achievement in art direction, despite Doonan's persistent refusal to hold the management of Barney accountable for its heady fashion forward taj mahal nineties excesses. Nevertheless, Doonan understands his subjects (fashion and display) and imparts great wisdom for those who covet it. The appendix of useful words in the back is really great. I plan to pepper my conversations with such useful vocab as "big girl blouse" and "trag." (abbrev. form of tragic) Interestingly, Doonan never really comments (or dishes)on the deseigners themselves, but judging from the # of photos, he appears to have a soft spot for Azzedine Alaia (who doesn't?). I've also chanced upon his rather trenchant commentary... I appreciate the distinction he makes between fashion in terms of clothing and fashion in the abstract sense.

Simon Doonan is the mad genius of the display world. His confessions weave a tale of a truly twisted spirit operating within a truly twisted demimonde. Doonan's celebrity anecdotes puncture the veil of fabulousness that surrounds so many famous people, and his personal recollections of his supremely dysfunctional family are mesmerizing. This is a book that will delight any creative soul. Doonan's story provides a glimpse into a rarely exposed world where insanity seems to be a big career booster. I also love the fact that all the profits from the book are being donated to God's Love We Deliver, an incredibly worthy organization that delivers hot meals to home-bound people with AIDS. I'm giving Confessions to all my friends for Christmas. In short, Simon Rules!

Simon Doonan gives us a gift in this delectable bon-bon of a book! The self-professed "Lucky Leprechaun", Doonan proves it does indeed take more than luck-it takes talent, drive, and vision to become a success. Dispelling the myth that all "window dressers" are poisonous, bitter, queens, this insanely funny, engaging, and gorgeously illustrated biography is the perfect late summer book. A must read!

This is an honest portrayal of the odyssey from being a self acknowledged gay window dresser in England to director of corporate advertising for Barney's New York with LA being a formative stop along the way. The book itself has hundreds of photographs and great narrative to go with them. Unfortunately the printing of these pictures is not all that crisp and the way they are interspersed throughout the book is distracting. Many pages have more photo narration than text. I found it helpful to look at all the photographs and read the descriptions and then proceed to read the book. Overall a wonderfully revealing insight into how a store shapes its image and attracts the public by a brilliant "artist" and a darn good, witty writer.

Fashion Marketing is everywhere, especially in Fashion Windows where's the retailer's most economical form of advertising; bring glamour, fun, theatre and art to the streets, while visibly expressing the store's image. Of his approach to visual merchandising, Simon Doonan brings a wealth of personal experince and insight to these window displays. The ones who are interested in Fashion Windows, Fashion Marketing and Fashion Advertising, must have this book. (P.S. I bought this book from Amazon and received it at the right time and with no harm. Thanks Amazon.com )

Not really sure how Simon Doonan managed to fail the Eleven Plus; he's (among other geniuses) a Comic Genius. Confessions of a Window Dresser has (surprisingly!) turned out to be an excellent read-aloud.
Mr. Doonan's life is awfully fascinating even without the window dressing (hehe), but if you're interested in display in general, and window dressing in particular, I recommend this book as a Must Have. The archived photos merit close study.
I received the paperback version as a gift. Sadly, it's true about the binding, so the copy i bought for my baby brother is hardcover, built to last!

I bought this book for a gift, but was so intrigued by Doonan's windows I had to read it myself. From the minimal and sometimes upsetting displays of his early years to the more recent, gaudy and pop-influenced windows of Barneys, Doonan's book shows and tells the craft, work, and often times controversy that went into his displays. An incredible glimpse of one man's work, and the importance of a store display to grab and interact with the customer. Never bores, never falters.

Simon Doonan's Confessions is hilarious and charming. It offers a fascinating look at fashion, design and the nature of creativity itself.

This is an easy fun read, the photos are wonderful and Simon Doonan has such a great sense of humor.This is a one of a kind book which is interesting and comical to anyone, you do not have to be involved in the fashion or design industry to enjoy this.

What a find! Doonan writes brilliantly, for a window dresser or anyone else. The first chapter is incredibly funny--pure poetry! If you love fashion, Vanity Fair, deranged families, and window dressing, this book is for you. J'adore ce book--my favorite book of the year!