This was a fun read! Picked it up because I'm a fan of this 'behind the scenes' type info and I was not disappointed by Chronicles of a Fashion Buyer. I think the most interesting bits were the ones where I actually learned something about the business/economics of the trade overseas. Good stuff all around.

I loved the buyer's perspective. They got it right! I studied fashion marketing and merchandising, and almost went into a career in buying. Not a lot of people know about the actual role, so this was very clear and fun.

The simple writing allows Mercedez's personality to shine through - that's the highlight of the book really. This is not a glossy fashion industry book, its a no-nonsense memoir with something to interest business lovers, travel fiends as well as aspiring buyers. The no-BS style is a little bit diluted by the fact that not all of the book is based on true events and some of the later portions feel a bit drawn out or contrived, but its still a worthwhile read. Thanks to Netgalley and Schiffer Books for the advance copy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R22HJ0X3UEB1JY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0764356232

This looked good but I just didn't like the writing! I didn't finish it.



I received this free ebook from NetGalley

Loved this book! Chronicles of a Fashion Buyer has been a very witty read, I can recommend it even if you are just a consumer; but if you are interested in fashion merchandising & buying, this might be your way mark. So instead adoring Girlboss (which is a fraud), get yourself this book. Mercedes Gonzalez is full of wisdom in her field, she has written her experiences and anecdotes (from all over the world) in a very realistic tone that is not boring at all. One of the her great remarks to begin with, is the following: 'Do what you love, and the money will follow' is a truly fucked up piece of advice. The advice should be 'do things you love that make money'.

Funny and so NYC! Even if you haven’t worked in fashion, you “get” the book and want to keep reading!

I unfortunately couldn't finish this- it just didn't grab me! I think that I was expecting more about the industry and less about her specific situation. I may have been more interested if I had known more about her before starting.

What a fun book to read. Very well written, flows nicely and tells a great story. The author writing was fantastic, I felt that I was with her on her adventure. Loved the humour.

This absolutely fabulous book is a terrific, funny, & insightful memoir by Gonzalez. It's the story of her life, but its also the work of a born raconteur. You'll love the colorful characters she meets and her great way of telling a story. She can even make the tale of getting hit by a NYC cab drop dead hilarious.

But the book is more than just great stories, with them she imparts tons of the wisdom of experience, lessons that will improve any retail business.

CHRONICLES OF A FASHION BUYER by Mercedes Gonzales is one of the best books I’ve read this year. It was completely addicting; I could not stop reading it once I started. Mercedes is a New York City-based fashion buyer, strategist, consultant, and entrepreneur. She’s also a fabulous storyteller, and my IDOL! (Seriously, I wish I would have had someone like her - or her Uncle Manolo - as a mentor growing up!) The book tells about her journey at her uncle’s garment company where she started out at the bottom packing boxes before moving on to oversee the production of garments at a factory in China. She later became a buyer and left her uncle’s company to work somewhere else; after she was passed over for a partnership at that company, she started her own business, Global Purchasing Companies.

I loved her style of writing – it felt as if I was right there, living vicariously through all of her hilarious, witty, self-deprecating stories about her work experiences. I found myself literally laughing out loud at many parts of her story. The book is a fun, easy read, and there are a lot of business and life tips applicable to more than just the global fashion industry throughout the book. There is social commentary about serious, hot-button issues such as Chinese sweatshops, outsourcing, fair wages, and GMOs in the book; however, readers are able come to their own conclusions about the issues without feeling lectured. If you are interested in the retail industry or entrepreneurship, you will want to read this one!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reading copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

Chronicles of a fashion buyer is a fascinating read. The stories span a long career across continents and state lined. There are small business stories and large business stories, successes and failures, including Mercedes' personal successes and failures.

There are a few parts that feel untrue or embellished and the stories tend to be a little tidy for real life. That’s not to say the stories aren’t packed full of retail advice. I enjoyed the breakdown of the unrealisticness of sustainable fashion and the way she contextualised experiences across cultures.

All in all a very good read. Highly recommend if you're interested in the business of fashion.