Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano by Dana Thomas (2016-01-26)

bought first copy as a gift. started reading it, then bought a second copy. if you want to learn more about the two designers, great. if you want to learn more about the innards of the high fashion industry, even better. it isn't all thin models in fashion shows, celebrity filled audiences, trendy parties, and art. "gods and kings" provides a perspective of the raw and sometimes inhumane exploitation of designers in the high fashion industry.

I bought it for a friend who is obsessed with fashion and learning about the designers. He absolutely loved the read.

This book was fascinating to read, and I am not all that interested in couture fashion. The rise of two gay men from humble beginnings to wealth and power was what kept me clicking through the pages. But I now understand a little better why designers show outrageous creations on the runway, how the fashion houses make money, and how much pressure the star designers are under. Note: If you read this on Kindle, be aware that pictures of the designers and their creations are at the end of the file.

Couldn't stop reading. A fascinating and compulsive read offering an intimate look into the lives of two of the most famous men in fashion today. I am not an avid follower of fashion and both men were known to me only in name prior to reading this book. The genius of Dana Thomas is that as a full-on fashion insider, she is able to not only share that world through her words, but to make you truly care for these two men and their tumultuous and ultimately tragic life stories.

If you want to understand the great changes fashion has suffered in the last 30 years and how it is nowadays in some kind of creative turmoil, this book is a wonderful starting point. Learning about the rise of Galliano and McQueen makes you understand so many aspects of fashion before, during and after their most creative periods.

The book is very well written. I worked in fashion in the same period as Galliano and McQueenand met Galliano at the beginning of his career. I remember thinking he would make his mark in fashion. When you go up the ladder be kind to people because when you you go down you might meet them again. He failed to remain humble.McQueen also forgot who helped him to succeed like ; Isabella Blow in her own right was a genius.Alexander McQueen was a true artist and genius.Galliano had other problems then a racism and I am glad the fashion industry has given him a new beginning

The great thing about this book is that is brings back the days when fashion was this inventive and creative - especially the work of Alexander McQueen - and fortunately, the Web has all of his shows, so you can go back and view them again. Unfortunately, the writing is a slog. So many potentially great stories were suggested and then never followed up on. This was written by a journalist with an eye for details, who, what, when and where and she lists them all, but fails to develop anything beyond the surface. Unfortunately, both men come off looking like monsters although the writing makes one more sympathetic toward McQueen. Unless you are a dedicated fan of fashion, this book will bore you.

Compelling reading! Highly recommend! A+++