Customer Reviews

Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self

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I was very skeptical of this book when I received it, as I'm a stay-at-home mom and not a fashionista at all. But I am desperately in need of fashion advice, so I thought I'd give it a chance. And I LOVE this book!

The book is divided into 4 sections, each with short, to-the-point chapters. It covers a huge variety of topics. Some of the ones that really spoke to me were the section on taking chances, at any age. Just because I'm a mom doesn't mean I don't deserve to try out some stylish clothes! I also really appreciated the section on how to easily "fab up" your outfit- complete with suggestions for people who wear jeans, t-shirts, vests, neutrals, suits or button-down shirts. Because, let's be honest, those are the fashion sinkholes that most of us get trapped in.

The book also has suggestions on clothing styles by body type. This is something that always baffles me- my friends are all taller than I am, or thinner, so I've never known who to ask about dressing for my short, curvy body type. But Christian covers that and SO much more.

And there's a great section of the book on looking fierce on a budge. We all need that these days!

This book is a fun, easy read for anyone, whether you're a mom like me, wanting to add a bit of fashion to the mom uniform, or a fashionista. In addition to the great advice, the book has lots of great pictures of fun and beautiful fashion, so it's a treat for the eyes as well.

I was not compensated for this review, but did receive a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

If you don't know who Christian Siriano is, he was the 2008 (Season Four) Project Runway winner. Winning Project Runway is a big deal for those in the fashion world but the bigger feat is the fact he's only 21 years old.

The book is broken down into four sections chock full of useful tips for all women:

Lady, You Look Fabulous!!!! This section is helpful tips in finding your personal styles and what to do as well as what not to do! For example, he says to not wear UGG boots and I'm right there with him! He advised on how to find your own signature style. His tips are spot on such as if you are large breasted, you should try to elongate your top half. I was really surprised as he does know what looks good and what doesn't and he's not just catering to stick women.

Finding Your Inner Ferocia is a nice section on finding yourself. He explains how the clothes is only one aspect of what makes you fierce. It's really a great breakdown on confidence, self-esteem and just finding out how to love yourself. There is much more in this section that you have to read it to find out!

Every Day is a Runway...Work It is about taking chances, finding yourself, confronting change and again, much more is included in this section. There really is good, sensible tips throughout the entire book. For example, what you can do with five valuable minutes and he uses the example of knowing where you put the keys so you don't have to spend five minutes looking for them and missing a traffic light later thus throwing off your whole day. Every minute does count!

Inspire Me is the ending to a complete package of hints, tips and inspiration to get to the total fierce you. For someone so young, he really has invaluable, sensible solutions to become the person you might want to become.

You don't have to be flamboyant or a super model to be fierce. All it takes is practical sense, confidence and some good inspiration. Christian is a prime example of a success story and this is a must read if you want a boost or are in the fashion industry or just want to be entertained as he's a showman!

Christian Siriano, the 2008 Project Runway winner (when he was only 21!), in his new book Fierce Style gives real, attainable, advice for normal women (i.e. those of us who are not runaway models or heiresses). For example, in his "Top 10 Dream Pieces" he offers not only the "dream" piece such as a Burberry trench coat, but also the "reality piece" (affordable counterpart), in this case a Banana Republic trench. In another section, "Looking Fierce on a Budget" Siriano recommends where and what to shop for at national chain stores: H&M for basics and accessories, Target for designer lines, and Forever 21 for knockoffs etc. In a nod to non-model figures Siriano suggests flattering styles for various body shapes (e.g. large bust/small waist, small bust/large waist, curves, and few curves). Also sprinkled throughout the book are fashion tips from noted celebrities.

In addition, to the realistic fashion advice Siriano shares pieces from his life story. Growing up in Annapolis , Maryland Siriano formed his fashion sensibilities working in the Bubbles hair salon where his outrageous coworkers inspired him to try out various looks. During his time at the salon and after, he made a lot of fashion mistakes, but he eventually learned what worked for him. Siriano even includes photographic evidence of some of his fashion foibles (I don't think many other designers would do the same) to encourage women not to be afraid to experiment with different looks.

Stylistically, Fierce Style is fun to peruse. The book is beautifully photographed with lots of pictures. And the writing style is peppered with Siriano linguistics such as "hot tranny mess," "ferocia couture," and "tickity tack" with definitions provided in "The Official Christian Siriano Glossary."

Christian Siriano's Fierce Style will inspire you to be your best you!


Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 5, 2009), 256 pages
Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the Publisher.

I am a huge fan of Project Runway and was rooting for Christian Siriano during season 4. He was so entertaining and added a spark to each episode. This spark has completely translated into sharing his knowledge of fashion.

Christian's new book Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self is for every woman. The book is not geared toward size 2 fashionistas but is full of relevant and doable advice. Are you in love with the latest look from a top designer? Christian not only takes a look at those dream garments but their affordable counter-parts and where to they can be found. There is a section finding your personal style including guidelines for dressing for your body type, how clothes are only one part of your fierceness as a whole, and an abundance of realistic tips, including those from celebrities such as Heidi Klum. The photographs are wonderful (there are even photos showcasing his own fashion mistakes) and the writing is....well Christian. There is even an official Christian Siriano glossary to help with his quirky phrases. This is a truly fun read!

I don't watch Project Runway, so I wasn't familiar with Christian Siriano although I recognized who he was and had actually seen him walking around West 14th St. But I have a few acquaintances who are fond of Project Runway, so I was curious to see why Christian Siriano was so popular. When offered the chance to review his Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self, I readily signed up.

Not being familiar with Christian, I wondered whether it would be self-congratulatory and smug. It isn't. Instead, Christian is encouraging and funny. Fierce Style is chatty and full of Christian's personal approach to dressing and style. He's quick to share the fashion mistakes that he'd made as he developed his own style. Instead of name-dropping, Christian comes up with suggestions of designers, stores, magazines, and ways of looking at fashion, Fierce Style is accessible, helpful, and a fun read.

The book itself is divided into four parts: "Lady, You Look Fabulous," "Finding Your Inner Ferocia," "Everyday is a Runway... Work It," and "Inspire Me." I liked the first part of the book best. In Lady, You Look Fabulous, Christian guides you to avoid pitfalls, to identifying what works for you and to developing your signature look. He gives a range of items and designers in different price points. His tone and his advice sort of reminds me of the advice I'd get from my fashionable cousins and friends. I also liked the lists that Christian would weave into the book, such as, "Easy Ways to Fab Up Your Outfit" and his "Top 10 Dream Pieces (and their corresponding Reality Pieces)."

Overall, Fierce Style is a fun and helpful read.

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 5, 2009), 258 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.

I actually purchased this book for my sister, who is a big fan of Mr. Siriano. I started to read and couldn't put it down! It's great fast reading and loaded with amazing fashion related information. Besides the authors' priceless knowledge and inspiration regarding fashion, the book is funny as hell and I found myself LOL for real. So whether you're into fashion or 'style-challenged".. there' something here for everyone... Bravo, Christian!Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self

I purchased this as a gift for a daring, creative 16 year old who would like to own her own business one day. Christian's book is fun, well written and relevant to a young artists interests. There are many great tips by Christian and others that I am sure young people will find inspiring. He describes his journey to fame and the ups and downs along the way. His writing style is easy, funny and informative at the same time. I have no doubt she will enjoy this book. I did.

FIERCE STYLE: HOW TO BE YOUR MOST FABULOUS SELF offers tips from some of fashion and Hollywood's biggest names, pairing these with author Christian Siriano's blend of personal stories on how he discovered his unique fashion sense and insights on how readers can uncover their own 'fierce style'. From overcoming obstacles to how to incorporate 'fierce style' in everyday perspectives on life beyond fashion, this is a pick for fashion and general lending collections alike.

I am a recent fan of Project Runway but I missed the season when Christian Siriano was the winner. It's a fun show to watch and see the contestants create amazing , unique and some off the wall and bizarre fashions. I like that the show encourages out of the box thinking and creativity. I am not a fashion diva but I can dream!

Christian Siriano was the youngest designer to win Project Runway in 2008. He is only 23 and has already made a name for himself in the fashion world. Now, he is also an author of Fierce Style, in which he shares his story and his philosophy about living a "Fierce" life and not allowing fear to stop you from creating your own personal style. The book is full of helpful fashion hints, behind the scenes photos and his personal experiences with famous people. One of my favorite pictures showed Whoopi Goldberg in a dress that Christian designed for her which highlighted her gorgeous legs. This is not a feature that Whoopi usually shows as she prefers more comfy clothes. Christian has a sense of humor, determination and boldness. He even has his own lingo of words which you find sprinkled throughout the book and a glossary in the back of the book with definitions. He also gives advice on creating your own personal style, building self-confidence and reveals his own list of fashion dos and dont's.

This is not a how to book for getting dressed. This is a how to book for building self-confidence, expressing your own personal style and using your unique strengths and talents to get ahead. How fierce is that?! Like any good fashion book, it's packed with glossy pictures, such as original sketches by Christian, photos of Christian, behind-the-scenes photos, celebrity photos and models in his runway clothes. His chatting and entertaining personality comes through on every page, as he shares his journey of developing his own fashion sense, taking risks, taking initiative, overcoming many obstacles to success, his own fashion vocabulary (wear anything tickety tack can lead to looking like a hot tranny mess, who knew?)

Christian dispenses advice on creating personal style, and shares his own list of fashion dos and dont's but don't look for pictures of outfits that you could easily copy for everyday wear. The whole point of the book is to create your own sense of style not memorize some predictable fashion formula for your figure type. The clothes featured are runway clothes, not real life clothes but there are many great fashion resources mentioned in the book.

Stephanie Ann author of !THE CHEAP DIVA'S GUIDE TO FRUGAL AND FABULOUS LIVING: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!