I was an intern for Patrick Demarchelier during the last few summers I was in college. When I was 19 we were shooting Madonnas album cover (a dream come true that doesnt even seem real looking back on it), and she invited us all to her 35th birthday party that night. I searched and searched all around South Beach for something to wear, but everything was either too tacky (Versace knockoffs) or too expensive (real Versace). So I went to Madonnas birthday party wearing my own demure floral sundress and preppy Jack Rogers sandals. Not my best fashion moment.Best piece of style advice ever received
Once DVF said to me Style is accepting who you are. That has always stayed with me.
Advice Id give my 20-something self on style
Stop trying to look like everyone else!
The sartorial tendencies of Amanda in her teens vs. Twenties vs. Thirties vs. Forties
Teen Amanda was preppy trying to be trendy; Twenties Amanda was Tuleh-obsessed, feminine florals; Thirties Amanda was trying everything (A.K.A. fashion victim!), and Forties Amanda is back to my classic roots. Pretty predictable
How I picked the photos in the book
Well, sometimes I wanted to be proud and show everything Ive learned about style, and other times I wanted to be humble. I really love some of the photos in the book, but others, like the one of me with nearly no hair, make me cringe!
And putting in writing my struggle to find balance, both professional and sartorial
Showing the quest for balance in retrospect wasnt hard at all because I am happy where Ive ended up. But getting here was the struggle. Actually living through some of those moments was sometimes very hard.
My personal favorite chapters, sidebars and photo spreads
I really love the Gagosian chapter, even though its not precisely about fashion [p. 67]. But it taught me some good lessons, and its juicy. Also, I think the sidebar about consulting is useful [p. 196]. Consulting is potentially a great career goal for some, but its hard-won and only works under certain conditions. I was proud to share all that Id learned about it. I also love the meltdown in the Paris chapter [pg. 250]. Its meant to be the climax of the book, but instead its the rock bottom. I never thought that would be my story, but it was!
Books on my nightstand now
My Paris Dream by Kate Betts, The Private Passion of Jackie Kennedy Onassis: Portrait of a Rider by Vicky Moon, and The Spiritual Child: The New Science on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving by Lisa Miller.
Best way to break the ice during party banter
Do something embarrassing. It makes you reveal your true self.
The key to taking a good photo of yourself with friends at a party or for social media
Yes! The LuMee the light-up phone case made for selfies. Its brilliant!
My exercise uniform
For the last seven years I have only ever worn an American Apparel unitard. I guess these days they call it a onesie. It just suits me.
One fitness tip for those spending long days in front of the computer writing a book
Walk wherever you can. No taxis!
My writing process
My writing habits are both very specific and very general. I have to be comfortable when I write a sofa, next to a fire, cup of tea in hand. That said, I dont have a writing schedule per se; I grab the time whenever I can. Sometimes I awake up at 5:30 AM to get my writing done and other times I take myself to a pub for two nights to write for three days straight. Depends on how much I have to get done. I work well under pressure!
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