Walk like a girl

Review by Booklist Review

Fashion designer Gurung relates, with verve and detail, his journey from growing up in a wealthy family in Nepal and India in the 1980s and '90s to becoming a prominent figure in the New York fashion scene despite being a "queer, brown man from South Asia." The youngest of three kids in a family where "my effeminate ways were often the reason for my parents' fights," Gurung went to boarding school in India, where he was bullied by other students and sexually abused by a teacher. All of this prepared him for his time in New York, where he attended the Pratt Institute and worked his way up the fashion ladder, eventually earning American citizenship and designing clothes for the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Oprah Winfrey (a prominent figure on his vision board), and Kamala Harris. Fashionistas especially will be intrigued by behind-the-scenes insights into the work that goes into developing a fashion line and gossipy tidbits about Bill Blass, Anna Wintour, and other familiar names, and inspired by Gurung's success.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

This stirring debut from fashion designer Gurung turns a sharp eye toward questions of femininity, sexuality, and self-expression. Gurung begins with his childhood in Nepal and India, where he endured a cruel parade of adolescent bullying and abuse for his overtly feminine interests and found solace in the support of his mother. In his 20s, after getting his start as a designer in New Delhi, Gurung moved to New York City, where he ascended the ranks of the fashion industry but faced persistent racism and homophobia. In unflinching, straightforward prose, Gurung writes of the crises of confidence that afflicted him, the joys of dressing the likes of Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, and of the relationships--with his family, his peers, and ultimately, himself--that gave him strength. This is more than just a juicy fashion industry tell-all (though it is that, with plenty of Anna Wintour name-drops): in the intimate tone of a trusted friend, Gurung takes readers inside his creative process and offers sage counsel to those struggling with their own self-expression. Vulnerable, candid, and subtly defiant, this is a must-read for aspiring creatives of all stripes. Agent: Mollie Glick, CAA. (May)

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

The threads of his success. Born in Singapore, fashion designer Gurung moved to Nepal when he was 4 years old. His mother, Durga Rana, was a member of Nepal's royal family, but Gurung's privilege did not shield him from a difficult childhood of homophobic bullying, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Thanks in part to his supportive and loving family, though, Gurung didn't allow bullies to dampen his confidence or keep him from speaking his mind. As a young adult, Gurung left Nepal to continue his education, first at India's Delhi Public School and the National Institute of Fashion Technology, then at Parsons School of Design in New York City. In America, Gurung pursued his dream to become a fashion designer by working as a design assistant at Bill Blass and, eventually, starting his own line. Gurung's designs draw inspiration not only from the hues of his beloved Nepal, but also from his reverence and love for strong, smart women like his sister and mother. Although racism routinely threatened Gurung's success, his perseverance earned him triumphs, from dressing icons like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama to placing his clothes in outlets that included Bergdorf Goodman. Gurung is frank in this charming memoir, adeptly balancing emotional moments with delicious behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of high fashion. His confidence, sense of empathy, and joie de vivre radiate throughout. An insightful and entertaining look into the life of a famous fashion designer. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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