This is Not a Fashion Story, A Review
As someone interested in the blogging space, I came across Danielle Berstein’s Instagram @weworewhat in Spring 2020 during the height of my COVID 19 lockdown boredom. I didn’t particularly connect with her or her style but I felt she was an important person to follow to stay in the know on the influencer space. I have since continued to follow her and her other brand accounts (@shopweworewhat and @daniellebernstein for her line with Macy’s) throughout her quarantine controversies (aka being accused of stealing designs more than once, admitting she caught COVID after being around groups in Montauk, NY, etc) as I found it all fascinating. I still hadn’t really connected with her in a strong way though.
Some time passed and I was still a passive follower on her accounts. As I worked to launch my businesses I turned to an Amazon search for books by female entrepreneurs to help inspire me and maybe help me avoid some mistakes. I had seen when Danielle’s book launched over lockdown and when it came up in my search, I figured why not order it. She was clearly successful so she clearly knew something about something. As I opened my hardcover copy of “This is Not a Fashion Story,” I didn’t know what to expect. I honestly sat down one Friday night for what I thought would be a long night - I didn’t think I’d get much out of it. And to my surprise, reading her book was actually extremely insightful.
Hearing her story and understanding her better made me appreciate her IG persona a bit more. I felt like I got to know her on a personal level through her very personal story telling.
I found the book to be very well written with some good lessons for those trying to get their start in not only blogging / influencing but really at anything in life.
I finished the book in one weekend and after finishing I liked Danielle a lot more. My biggest takeaway was to just put myself out there. She really was unafraid and unapologetic in her quest at the start of her blogging days and it’s definitely something I strive to emulate (as I’m the complete opposite and would rather hide in my apartment and have only like 1 reader).
So without giving too much away of her story (as I do recommend reading the book), I’ll leave you with a Candace Bushnell’s quote re: Danielle’s story - “If you don’t already know Danielle Bernstein, you will now. This book introduces a force of nature--a style queen, business women and innovator. Readers will love unraveling her secrets (and her tips for success) in this fascinating story of a young fashionista gone rouge.”