I’d learned to tailor from my mom, and that coat, with its forest-green satin lining, was our masterpiece. We defied any fashion-conscious person not to fall in love with it. Mom had taught me that when it comes to clothes, there’s no such think as timidity. The point is to show yourself off. My mom and my aunt had always done that; now it was my turn. If I could get people to love the clothes I made, then maybe my mom and aunt could have the fashion house they’d always fantasized about, like the ones my aunt saw when she was in Paris.
Pat Cleveland, American model.
This quote is from Ms. Cleveland’s memoir, Walking with the Muses (Atria Books), written by Ms. Cleveland with Lorraine Glennon.
These past few months I’ve been reading a lot of fiction, but my first love is biographies/memoirs, particularly of people in the fashion business. I had heard about Ms. Cleveland’s memoir on the fashion podcast Dressed. (If you don’t know about Dressed, you want to.)
Check back on Wednesday for my review of Walking with the Muses.
OverDressed for Life 
As a woman of color born in US, you will not see the things I saw in this book & tat Pat revealed to moi.
But, different views count too.
I agree, Jacquelyn! I hope you will read my review and I’d like to hear how Walking with the Muses spoke to you. Maybe we could have a chat about this book. (Wish we could meet over a cup of tea.)