Ann's Blog

Bookshelf

Hi, my name is Julie and I am Ann’s Manager of Digital and Social Media. I am a big fan of science fiction so I am often reading the newest novel about alien civilizations or technological  impossibility. That means I tend to stick with authors like Charles Stross, Neal Stephenson and WIlliam Gibson. But I recently found a book that tickled both my love for sci-fi and my inner fashionista.

It may seem strange that an author known for science fiction is currently my favorite fashion writer but William Gibson has tapped the inner workings of the garment business for inspiration in his latest novel Zero History. His best-selling novel Neuromancer is considered a breakthrough science fiction novel in a genre called “cyperpunk,” and his subsequent works focus on cyperspace and technology. But recently he has turned his focus to a fictional world set during present day that is populated by characters and scenarios that many people in the fashion industry will recognize. From a Parisian vintage textile market, and underground “street brands” to trend hunters and models with musician boyfriends the many tropes of the fashion world are explored in this thriller about an a female indie rocker that is enlisted by an outsized creative director named Bigend to track down the designer of a hot denim label called Gabriel Hounds. 

From there you are taken on a suspense-filled ride through London that as best I can describe is where the fashion industry meets military contracting. It is a fun and fascinating read that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in fashion. It also holds its own as a great spy like thriller in the vein of Robert Ludlum so ladies if you ever wanted to get your boyfriend or husband interested in the world of fashion, this novel might do the trick. Frankly I wasn’t able to put it down! I tucked it into my handbag and carried it with me an entire week.