Book Reviews: Strip Tees-Memoir of a Millennial Los Angeles by Kate Flannery
“I was in Los Angeles for less than a month before I got scouted by a cult.”
This is how Kate Flannery’s book Strip Tees: Memoir of a Millennial Los Angeles opens. And with a line like that how could I not keep reading? Scouted by a cult? Tell me more!
Kate Flannery (no, not the actress who played Meredith on “The Office) was a recent graduate from Bryn Mawr. Not finding fulfillment in her post-grad job at Urban Outfitters in Philadelphia, Flannery left for the sunny climes and a new start in Los Angeles. However, things weren’t going so well. Flannery was out of a job, and her funds were dwindling. She was in a deep funk.
While drowning her sorrows at a dive bar, Flannery was approached by an attractive woman, a complete stranger, who wanted Flannery to interview with the clothing retailer American Apparel.
American Apparel may be a sleazy footnote in retail history, but in 2005 American Apparel was hot, hot, hot. The company was lauded for its American made, non-sweatshop made clothing, which included T-shirts, shorts, bathing suits, and the like. American Apparel was the brainchild of creator Dov Charney who initially was seen as a good guy with his non-sweatshop clothing made in the USA that paid its workers a decent wage. But soon rather nefarious details began to emerge about Charney about his less than savory behavior.
I’m getting ahead of myself. American Apparel was the clothing choice of many Millennials like Flannery, and after an interview, she was hired to work at one of the stores. Though probably a bit too educated and over-qualified to be a shop girl, Flannery was thrilled to have a job and grew close to many of her co-workers. She did so much more than ring up customers’ purchases. She managed hiring and took photographs for American Apparel’s very infamous and very recognizable advertisements.
It wasn’t long before Flannery ascended the ladder at American Apparel and went beyond her shop girl role. She went on the road, scouting new recruits, and opening new American Apparel stores (including the now closed location in my lower east side Milwaukee neighborhood).
Flannery was exhilarated to be doing so well with American Apparel, and for the longest time she relished her work despite the travel and long hours. She was working for the hippest clothing company around, and it was intoxicating.
However, things weren’t always so rosy at American Apparel and much of it had to do with Dov Charney, the king of sleaze. Dov was known for sleeping with many of his subordinates (called “Dov’s Girls). He had no shame and would walk around in his underwear and have sex with girls in the stores’ dressing rooms. He was also accused of masturbating in front of a writer from the now defunct Jane magazine while she interviewed him. Ick.
At first Flannery tried to ignore Dov’s behavior, thinking these women were just uptight. It was the time of “indie sleaze” and “do-me feminism.” But after a while, Flannery just couldn’t ignore Dov’s behavior and the behavior of other employees including one asshole who tried to sexually assault her. And though initially American Apparel seemed to be about sexual liberation, it soon became clear it was more about sexual exploitation. Flannery soon realized she needed to make a change in her life. So she did. And through it all she came to grips of what was really important to her.
It’s now American Apparel is now out of business. Flannery has gone onto better things like writing for the reality show “Rupaul’s Drag Race.” But Strip Tees is a riveting tale of a singular time in fashion and one Millennial’s coming of age in the aughts. I found American Apparel to be a riveting and fast-paced read whether your a rapidly aging hipster still coveting your American Apparel t-shirts, or anyone interested in everything from the world of retail, growing up, and finding oneself..
Retro Review: Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher
I first became aware of Carrie Fisher when I saw the movie “Star Wars” back in 1977 where she played the iconic Princess Leia. Instead of being a simpering wuss like so many princesses I grew up with, Princess Leia was totally bad ass, and I loved her for that. But Carrie Fisher was so much more than Princess Leia. She was also a talented script doctor and author, her first book being Postcards from the Edge, which was published in 1987.
Postcards from the Edge follows the story of one Suzanne Vale. Suzanne is an actress and as the book begins, Suzanne has had a drug overdose and is now drying out in a rehab center. There are several sections to Postcards from the Edge. The first part follows postcards Suzanne sends to members of her family while she’s in rehab. Remember, this book takes place in the 1980s and postcards were the way people could briefly communicate when a phone wasn’t available. In 2023, people would be communicating via emails or texts. But Emails from the Edge or Texts from the Edge doesn’t quite have the right zing. While in treatment, Suzanne also tries to keep up with journaling, writing about her experiences in rehab and coming to grips with her addiction. She also shares her flirtation with a fellow addict named Alex.
When Suzanne finally gets out of rehab, she starts dating a producer named Jack Burroughs. This part features dialogue between Suzanne and Jack. It also features Suzanne speaking to her therapist, and Jack speaking to his lawyer (who in a way is kind of a therapist).
The last three sections follow Suzanne’s life as she tries to revive her career and stay clean. She’s making a movie and living with her grandparents during filming. While filming, she’s constantly being hassled for being overly tense, and is chided for not chilling out enough. Later one, we follow Suzanne through her non-acting life, working out with her trainer, hanging out with friends, industry events, and various meetings related to her career. During this time, Suzanne meets an author, and later she develops a relationship with this author while also facing the anniversary of her overdose and her time in rehab. And in the epilogue, Suzanne writes a letter to the doctor who pumped her stomach when she overdosed. Interestingly enough, the doctor had sought her out. Suzanne lets him know that she’s still clean, on the mend, and doing so much better. The doctor even asks Suzanne if she’s seeing someone, and she can’t help but feel a little charmed by his interest. And though Suzanne knows her life is better than a lot of people’s, she still doesn’t quite feel at peace.
Postcards from the Edge isn’t a book that has a strong plot. It is more about Suzanne’s internal musings and facing her shortcomings and challenges. Suzanne is written in a way that is relatable. And Fisher gives her just the right humor to make Suzanne funny. Suzanne Vale is all too human, and Postcards from the Edge (despite the 80s of it-MTV showing videos, cocaine use) is still relevant today. I wish Fisher was still with us in 2023. We could really use her unique voice as a writer.
Book Marks
LeVar Burton replaces Drew Barrymore as National Book Award host.
Writer’s mother tried to ban Shel Silverstein’s iconic book Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Confessions of a arrogant and humble writer.
Nine authors who believed in ghosts.
Alabama flagged a children’s book because the author’s last name is “Gay.”
Happy Blogaversary!
What is today? It’s Friday, the 13th, usually a day of bad luck. But it’s a great day for me. It’s my blog’s tenth anniversary! When I started this blog a decade ago, I had no idea it would be so successful and last for such a long time. I am so grateful for my readers, and for all of the authors, publishers, and book publicists who have reached out to me asking me to read and review various books. I am also grateful to the bookstores and my local library for also providing me with reading material. Here is to ten more years of The Book Self!
And can anyone remember my very first book review? It was An Atheist in a Foxhole: A Liberal’s Eight-Year Odyssey Inside the Heart of Right Wing Media by Joe Muto.
thebookselfblog 