[.ca] Falling Out Of Fashion (ISBN 0758217005)

NEW YORK FASHION SCENE REDUX:
Seems that readers just can't get enough of the mean and mendacious top execs who people the fashion magazine world. So, along comes Karen Yampolsky who spent nine years as right-hand to Jane Pratt, founder of Jane Magazine, to give that rather over worn topic another go round. Heroine Jill White was raised in a commune by hippie parents. Though her parents seemed distant, evidently her early education was first-rate as she easily nabs a scholarship to an upscale Eastern prep school. It seems to stretch credulity a bit to believe that there was not one friendly person among faculty or student body at the fictional Hillander, but that's her story and she stuck to it. Thus, Jill spent four miserable lonely years but did graduate with a 4.0. That sterling grade point earned her another scholarship to Bennington in Vermont where there were quite a few friendly faces. Along the way Jill had dreamed of starting her own magazine. So, after Bennington she takes on New York or to be more precise it takes her. She does eventually have her own magazine called not surprisingly "Jill," and it's a smash hit. She's living on top of the world with all the free goodies anyone could want and her face on the cover of Time. Then "Jill" is bought by Nestrom Media, and "Jill" rapidly tumbles down the ladder of their empire. Enter the predictable nasty editors Liz and Ellen, which is about where this reader began feeling "Been there, done that." Of course, Jill struggles to keep her magazine the over-the-top publication she had nurtured, but she also has life choices to make. "Falling Out of Fashion" strives mightily to emulate "The Devil Wears Prada" but it lacks that book's originality and edge. Jill does a great deal of kvetching so it's a little difficult to pull for her, and the book could have used a more gimlet eyed editor. However, if the fictionalized New York fashion scene is your reading pleasure, this one's for you. - Gail Cooke