Search - Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self

Christian Siriano, of Project Runway fame, wrote this book shortly after winning the show’s fourth season. Siriano, then a 21-year-old fashion prodigy, sled through the competition effortlessly, to everyone’s amazement. His first full collection as an independent designer was a complete success, and he has been ever since working hard in the fashion industry, on the way managing to make a lot of childhood dreams come true.

As a writer, however, Christian is not so amazing. Sure, his book is fun to read, and light, and breezy and with just the lightest touch of childishness. And his brilliant personality shines through every page and paragraph and sentence. I mean, let’s face it; the people who will love this book are those who already loved Christian from watching him week after week in Project Runway. The book, however, is filled with his trademark Christian words and expressions that were funny to hear on the show for an hour every week, but they get a bit tiresome to read page after page after page…

The book, co written with people.com’s editor Rennie Dyball, has a good structure though, and is divided into four main sections: how to look fabulous, how to feel fabulous, how to be fabulous, and everyday inspiration for aspiring designers.

This is a very visual book, full of color photographs of Christian and models and pieces of clothing, but missing are Christian’s own creations. I finished the book wanting to take a look at some of his most recent collections.

This book is intended for a teenage and young adult audience, who is looking for direction on how to achieve a personal sense of style while at the same time are still developing a sense of their own identities. The advice is helpful, youthful, and rather basic.

Overall, it is a useful book for people who are not fashionistas or who don’t know much about fashion.

Christian Siriano, the 2008 Project Runway winner (when he was only 21!), in his new book Fierce Style gives real, attainable, advice for normal women (i.e. those of us who are not runaway models or heiresses). For example, in his “Top 10 Dream Pieces� he offers not only the “dream� piece such as a Burberry trench coat, but also the “reality piece� (affordable counterpart), in this case a Banana Republic trench. In another section, “Looking Fierce on a Budget� Siriano recommends where and what to shop for at national chain stores: H&M for basics and accessories, Target for designer lines, and Forever 21 for knockoffs etc. In a nod to non-model figures Siriano suggests flattering styles for various body shapes (e.g. large bust/small waist, small bust/large waist, curves, and few curves). Also sprinkled throughout the book are fashion tips from noted celebrities.

In addition, to the realistic fashion advice Siriano shares pieces from his life story. Growing up in Annapolis , Maryland Siriano formed his fashion sensibilities working in the Bubbles hair salon where his outrageous coworkers inspired him to try out various looks. During his time at the salon and after, he made a lot of fashion mistakes, but he eventually learned what worked for him. Siriano even includes photographic evidence of some of his fashion foibles (I don’t think many other designers would do the same) to encourage women not to be afraid to experiment with different looks.

Stylistically, Fierce Style is fun to peruse. The book is beautifully photographed with lots of pictures. And the writing style is peppered Siriano linguistics such as “hot tranny mess,� “ferocia couture,� and “tickity tack� with definitions provided in “The Official Christian Siriano Glossary.�

Christian Siriano’s Fierce Style will inspire you to be your best you!