In My Own Fashion: An Autobiography [Hardcover]

Oleg Cassini (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Born in 1913 to titled parents uprooted by the Russian Revolution, Cassini grew up in Europe where he cultivated his talents for creating fashion and amorous scandals. He tells about his love life, but his memoir is more than a feast of gossip: it is a witty, often moving story of the Cassini family and intimates. Arriving in New York at age 23 in 1936, the author failed to establish himself firmly but did well in Hollywood as a designer for films. Details of his marriage in 1941 to actress Gene Tierney recall the sad fate of their daughter, retarded by her mother's exposure to German measles, and shed light on the couple's lasting friendship, although they divorced after 10 years. There are accounts of Cassini's failed courtship of Grace Kelly and associations with many glittering personalities, particularly the Kennedys. Readers will be particularly interested in letters from First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy who chose Cassini as her couturier. Photos not seen by PW. First serial to People and Ladies' Home Journal.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In a breezy, gossipy style fashion designer Cassini, creator of the "Jackie look" during the Kennedy years, self-styled playboy linked to Grace Kelly and countless others, tells his story from the 1930s to the 1960s. In these pages Cassini wins and loses fortunes, marries the beautiful Gene Tierney, suffers the enduring tragedy of a daughter born blind, deaf, and retarded, and participates in endless philandering. Anecdotes about such celebrities as Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, Howard Hughes, Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, etc., will interest movie buffs. Cassini's story, dominated by lengthy descriptions of his sexual conquests, is offensive and antiquated by today's standards. However, a national author publicity tour guarantees public library demand. Terrill Brooks, Baker Coll. Lib., Flint, Mich.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 379 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1ST edition (August 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067162640X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671626402
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #748,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reading, May 29, 2011

By 

Stepehen E. - See all my reviews

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This review is from: In My Own Fashion: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

My reading of choice is Bio's. This is one of the best written and most informative books I have read in a very long time.
I cannot wait to read it again.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting life in 1930s Hollywood to 1960s jetset, December 7, 2010

By 

Wendy "Librarylover" (europe) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: In My Own Fashion: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

Somehow Oleg Cassini does not seem to be remembered as a important figure in fashion, at least that is my impression. So I was not expecting much from this book and therefore was happily surprised - it's interesting, nicely written and thoughtful.

It's great for anyone who is interested in 1930s Hollywood or 1950-1960s jet-set society. I had forgotten that he worked in hollywood and was married to Gene Teirney for 10 years. They were quite social and it is interesting to read his encounters with various stars who were friends or whom he worked with. For instance he and Gene where at Tyrone Power's house the night of the tragic and fatal accident involving David Niven's wife. It is also quite interesting to get a such a close and personal look at Grace Kelley to whom he was engaged.

I also did not realize how much of a role he played in Jackie Kennedy's style. She had such personal style that his role in creating her 1960s look is not really recognized and it is interesting to read what a role he played in it.