I loved this book! I am not a fashionista or big business person by any stretch of the imagination, but Teri Agins's look at the evolution of the fashion business is a true page-turner. I couldn't stop reading. This is not your typical business book written just for industry insiders.

It used to be that it was the fashion designers who dictated what women should wear, but now the tables have turned, and designers look to the public/street for inspiration. Fashion is no longer so much an art form as it is a big business, and Agins's book really delves into how this came about via clever and creative marketing. She also looks at the mass-marketing of fashion, which in and of itself, is fascinating. It's clear that the author has done her homework. A great book about a fascinating industry.

Anyone interested in fashion must read this book. It is a quick read and super entertaining. I now look at luxury goods in a whole new light.

I had high expectations that the book failed to meet. The beginning chapter is great, explaining the "end of fashion" - clearly organized and interesting. However, much of the rest of the book was a poorly organized slow read. It starts with some history of the "old" French labels, then it goes all over the place, in chapters devoted to individual designers or pairs of designers. There is little rhyme or reason in those chapters, and everything seems to happen from the late 1960's until the late 90's, so much of it is contemporaneous and it is hard to see what point the author is making about the evolution of fashion. The worst part of the book, however, is that it is dated - it talks of labels that nobody cares about, or about movie stars and events that were relevant in the 80's up to mid 90's - the early Clinton days are as hip as it gets.

Overall, if you are interested either in the design aspects of fashion, or the business side, you are better off trying to find better reading somewhere else.

Very interesting, business minded look at the fashion industry and the struggle between the creative and the profitable. Written in a straight forward, non-fluffy manner.

Wonderful book. This book has given me loads of useful information about the fashion industry. I use information from it in nearly every job interview I've been to.