Always Pack a Party Dress

An authentic voice in the world of style and how-to books, Amanda Brooks, with her unique and enviable yet accessible style, has inspired thousands of women - of all ages - to find their own personal look and explore their identity through the clothes they love and wear. In the past twenty years, Brooks worked as a phot assistant to Patrick Demarchelier, as a 'gallerina' at the Gagosian Gallery, and at various fashion posts, before landing her dream job as fashion director for Barneys New York. Along the way - and wearing more than a few of the kinds of outfits we've all regretted at one point or another - Brooks has discovered the key to creating her personal style, combining influences as wide-ranging as childhood prep school, Grateful Dead concerts, contemporary artists, pop culture, and her current home outside the fashion bubble, a farm where she lives with her family (and a host of animals) in England. In Always Pack a Party Dress, Brooks recalls her early career aspirations and explores the evolution of her own personal style in stories of successes and failures alike, and offers fashion and beauty tips and inspiring photographs throughout. She shares her expertise and insider view with warm, candid, often witty prose. Always Pack a Party Dress is a must-read for high-fashion or street-style aficionados, and a source of inspiration to return to again and again. 'Amanda Brooks is one of those rare birds - perfectly imperfect, not overly considered, impossibly real and humble. While flipping through the pages of this book, I realized her style is just that- her style.' Jenna Lyons 'Amanda Brooks is innately chic. Her new book is as smart and original as she is.' Tory Burch 'Amanda Brooks maintains a wonderful sense of humor about style. She understands the ins and outs of the fashion and the industry, yet doesn't let them dictate who she is. She's inspiring and unique, and I'm so happy that she shares what she's learned!' Garance Doré 'For young women who want to work in the world of fashion and beauty, or anyone who simply just loves it, Amanda's book is the dream-come-true told with sweetness and honesty.' Delia Ephron 'As someone who knows all too well the adrenaline-charged fashion scene from New York to Paris and beyond, as well as the simple joys of home and family life, I relished every page of Always Pack a Party Dress.' Laura Bailey 'Amanda Brooks is the true American glamour girl! In her must-read book she offers candid style and career advice and, just as important, shows readers that a sense of humor and self-discovery is much more gratifying than striving for perfection.' Diane von Furstenberg 'From the pages of Vogue to the front rows of Paris to her current country-girl home in rural England, Amanda Brooks's exciting life has encompassed the full sartorial spectrum. In Always Pack a Party Dress, clothes become the outer reflection of the private inner world, and her wise and practical meditations on style are really metaphors for how to live authentically and well.' Amy Astley