Review: Chelsea Girls

Chelsea Girls by Catherine Lloyd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this book reminded me that I am a part of History. That is, if you consider the 1950's to be long enough to be historical!

Mary Quant was a leader in women's fashion, leading women out of the dull colors of Post-War England and into the bright and shining colors and shapes of a new era.

I'm a bit young and poor to have worn any of her clothing, but my wardrobe still had some influence of Mary Quant. My fashion ended up being hip-hugger bell-bottoms and crop tops, which still flood the market. These had been influenced by Mary.

A lot of name-dropping went into this book-Sasson, Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, J.C. Penney, etc.

This was a brilliant piece of fiction with a ton of reality included.

This will make a great beach read as well as a book club choice. There is a lot to discuss in this book, especially for a slightly older group who lived in this era.

Not only does this book tell all about the fashion revolution, but it is also a deep look into women owning their own businesses and the difficulties surrounding women in business.


*ARC was supplied by the publisher, Kensington Books, the author, and NetGalley.

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Summary: "A glamorous and revealing biographical novel for readers of Renee Rosen, Allison Pataki, and Fiona Davis, starring one of Swinging London’s defining figures, Mary Quant, who made history with the miniskirt, slashed hemlines, and transformed more than fashion, for herself, for her friends, and for a generation.

Post-war London is a city in flux, with burned-out buildings serving as vivid reminders of the past. But beneath those scars is a sense of resurging optimism. Chrissie Walker, a new student at Goldsmiths arts college, feels it keenly. So does Mary Quant, the auburn-haired classmate who becomes Chrissie’s best friend.

Like Chrissie, Mary wants more from life than to nab a husband and settle down. Though shy, Mary shows her daring in subtle ways, including her home-sewn clothes. Designed to run and move in, her outfits inspire Chrissie and others to reinvent their own style. They also catch the eye of charismatic fellow student Alexander Plunket Greene, who becomes Mary’s partner and helps fund the opening of Bazaar, a King’s Road shop that marks the beginning of an empire.

Dresses with ever-rising hemlines, skinny-rib sweaters and Peter Pan collars, boldly patterned tights and scarves—Mary Quant’s “Chelsea look” becomes a sensation among socialites, working-class girls, and everyone in between. As the miniskirt becomes a global phenomenon, Mary Quant ignites a fashion revolution that transforms everyone in its orbit—including Chrissie, who must reconcile her own ambitions with her friend’s fame, debutante Daphne, whose life opens up in unexpected ways, and Fern, an aspiring model who will become an icon.

In the years that follow, each will deal with the public and personal challenges faced by unconventional women willing to break the rules—and in the process, transform the world."