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Tales of the Gypsy Dressmaker
'Tales of the Gypsy Dressmaker' is the much-anticipated memoir from Thelma Madine, the dressmaker and breakaway star from 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings', the most-talked about TV show in 2011.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Thelma Madine
3 books4 followersThelma Madine is a wedding dressmaker born in Liverpool. She rose to fame after appearing as the gypsy wedding dressmaker in My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, a Channel 4 documentary on Irish Travellers as they prepare for marriage. She is best known for her outlandish creations, including a palm tree wedding gown with Swarovski crystals
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 27, 2016
3.5 stars!
I really enjoyed the tv show, and this was an interesting look into Thelma's life. It felt a little repetitive at times, but overall I enjoyed reading about how she began to make the outrageous dresses she is best known for today, and all the struggles she faced along the way.
I really enjoyed the tv show, and this was an interesting look into Thelma's life. It felt a little repetitive at times, but overall I enjoyed reading about how she began to make the outrageous dresses she is best known for today, and all the struggles she faced along the way.
February 7, 2017
I don't watch a lot of trash TV but 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' is an exception. I like to look at the dresses and see what they are wearing next. I don't actually like the dresses but it's the whole ridiculous quality about them that keeps me hooked.
Reading this book about Thelma, the lady who makes the dresses, was really interesting. Even though they are not to my taste, and sometimes hers. She does put a lot of work in to make those dresses to the specification her customer desires.
Although I understand why a Gypsy bride would want to stand out on her wedding day, who doesn't want to stand out on their wedding day? I don't understand that they do it to the point where it's painful or they can't move. There is a story in here about a bride who had to sit through her entire wedding reception because she physically couldn't move. How is that worth it? And although it's not really touched upon in this book, there were times on the show where children were forced into painful outfits and that to me is not acceptable.
There are also times when Thelma tries to justify more unsavory aspects of Gypsy culture. She uses the phase 'it's just their way' a lot. She uses this when the girls get beaten by their husbands. That most of the women are raised to cook and clean. etc. As a woman, this just doesn't sit right with me.
She also tries to touch on the prejudices Gypsy's face about venues canceling on them. But then she tells us about how aggressive they can be when it comes to payment. Fair enough she says it's all a drama for them and they don't really mean it. But why would a business want to work with you if you were being aggressive!? How are people supposed to know it's an "act"?
Those points aside though, I loved this book. Read it in a day and if you are a fan of the show you will love this.
Also makes me think how different my life could have been (well not really as I wouldn't have been born but you know!). My great grandmother was a Romany Gypsy who married out, imagine if she had married in! My wedding I'm currently planning might have looked very different!
Reading this book about Thelma, the lady who makes the dresses, was really interesting. Even though they are not to my taste, and sometimes hers. She does put a lot of work in to make those dresses to the specification her customer desires.
Although I understand why a Gypsy bride would want to stand out on her wedding day, who doesn't want to stand out on their wedding day? I don't understand that they do it to the point where it's painful or they can't move. There is a story in here about a bride who had to sit through her entire wedding reception because she physically couldn't move. How is that worth it? And although it's not really touched upon in this book, there were times on the show where children were forced into painful outfits and that to me is not acceptable.
There are also times when Thelma tries to justify more unsavory aspects of Gypsy culture. She uses the phase 'it's just their way' a lot. She uses this when the girls get beaten by their husbands. That most of the women are raised to cook and clean. etc. As a woman, this just doesn't sit right with me.
She also tries to touch on the prejudices Gypsy's face about venues canceling on them. But then she tells us about how aggressive they can be when it comes to payment. Fair enough she says it's all a drama for them and they don't really mean it. But why would a business want to work with you if you were being aggressive!? How are people supposed to know it's an "act"?
Those points aside though, I loved this book. Read it in a day and if you are a fan of the show you will love this.
Also makes me think how different my life could have been (well not really as I wouldn't have been born but you know!). My great grandmother was a Romany Gypsy who married out, imagine if she had married in! My wedding I'm currently planning might have looked very different!
July 2, 2012
I enjoyed watching the My Big Gypsy Wedding series, it was a fun if not always politically correct programme. Fans of the show will certainly enjoy reading Thelma's journey to becoming a successful business women.
The book details the full career of Thelma, from her humble beginnings at a local market, to becoming the go-to-girl for over the top fairytale wedding dresses. There is a good balance of lighthearted anecdotes, and the emotional trials that Thelma has gone through to be where she is today.
Even if you're not a fan of the show, you could not help but respect and admire the dedication Thelma has shown to become a success in her field of work. Her story is certainly one of rags-to-riches, but by no means a fairy tale all the way through. She has overcome some very tough obstacles and worked very hard to get where she is today.
Although I enjoyed her book, I did find that one point kept irking me slightly. As in the series, she continually points out that Gypsy girls are less promiscuous, and much more innocent that "settled" girls. Now I realise that Gypsy's are her business, and she would never want to bad mouth them. But it did irritate me that there is sweeping generalisation that all "settled" girls are here, there and everywhere with any boy they can find. While Gypsy girls behave themselves more.
I would have also liked a few more photos included in the book. The descriptions of the dresses are so tactile, that you really want to see as many pictures as possible. It would have also been nice to include some of Thelma's design sketches, so we could see the transition of the dresses from beginning to end.
Overall it was a very enjoyable book. Full of tales that will make you laugh and gasp with disbelief, very entertaining.
The book details the full career of Thelma, from her humble beginnings at a local market, to becoming the go-to-girl for over the top fairytale wedding dresses. There is a good balance of lighthearted anecdotes, and the emotional trials that Thelma has gone through to be where she is today.
Even if you're not a fan of the show, you could not help but respect and admire the dedication Thelma has shown to become a success in her field of work. Her story is certainly one of rags-to-riches, but by no means a fairy tale all the way through. She has overcome some very tough obstacles and worked very hard to get where she is today.
Although I enjoyed her book, I did find that one point kept irking me slightly. As in the series, she continually points out that Gypsy girls are less promiscuous, and much more innocent that "settled" girls. Now I realise that Gypsy's are her business, and she would never want to bad mouth them. But it did irritate me that there is sweeping generalisation that all "settled" girls are here, there and everywhere with any boy they can find. While Gypsy girls behave themselves more.
I would have also liked a few more photos included in the book. The descriptions of the dresses are so tactile, that you really want to see as many pictures as possible. It would have also been nice to include some of Thelma's design sketches, so we could see the transition of the dresses from beginning to end.
Overall it was a very enjoyable book. Full of tales that will make you laugh and gasp with disbelief, very entertaining.
February 8, 2023
Although I've never watched "Big Fat Gypsy Weddings" I was aware of the gypsy brides' desire for huge, voluminous dresses & this memoir is by the woman who created many of them.
I don't really know what to make of Thelma. Part of me admires the way she's built up her businesses & made them a success but at the same time, in some ways she doesn't seem to have learnt from some of her previous mistakes, but we're all human...
As to the dresses...well, I was never a girl who dreamed...let alone planned...about getting married & to be honest when I did, my only stipulation about my dress was it had to have long sleeves, so I can't really connect with this desire to have a bigger & more expensive dress than anyone else. But these brides are very young, & apparently their role in life is simply to clean & bear children (an archaic attitude to me but who am to judge how some else lives?) so maybe the dream of having an extravagant, fantastic wedding gown is understandable, allowing them their moment to shine.
Though a bit repetitive at times - the arguing & haggling being a prime example - it's an interesting read & there's no denying the dresses are amazing....& often painful to wear too by the sound of it. While I loved the photos, I wish they'd been a bit bigger so I could see the details of the dresses better - I couldn't make out the swan on the swan -pumpkin dress!
I don't really know what to make of Thelma. Part of me admires the way she's built up her businesses & made them a success but at the same time, in some ways she doesn't seem to have learnt from some of her previous mistakes, but we're all human...
As to the dresses...well, I was never a girl who dreamed...let alone planned...about getting married & to be honest when I did, my only stipulation about my dress was it had to have long sleeves, so I can't really connect with this desire to have a bigger & more expensive dress than anyone else. But these brides are very young, & apparently their role in life is simply to clean & bear children (an archaic attitude to me but who am to judge how some else lives?) so maybe the dream of having an extravagant, fantastic wedding gown is understandable, allowing them their moment to shine.
Though a bit repetitive at times - the arguing & haggling being a prime example - it's an interesting read & there's no denying the dresses are amazing....& often painful to wear too by the sound of it. While I loved the photos, I wish they'd been a bit bigger so I could see the details of the dresses better - I couldn't make out the swan on the swan -pumpkin dress!
October 2, 2012
I picked this up at random in the library and opened it...when I found I was still reading five minutes later, I borrowed it.
Thelma Madine is a dressmaker who started out making children's "occasion" clothes - First Communion dresses and pretty party outfits. Then one of the other stallholders in the market where she sold her creations asked her to do a wedding dress, and it all sort of snowballed from there. Now she is well-known for making crazy, over-the-top, diamante-encrusted wedding dresses with mile-long trains for Irish travellers. Well-known, that is, amongst (a) the travelling community and (b) those who watch a TV programme called "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". (I do not fall into either of these groups.)
Despite my not having any background knowledge, I enjoyed this book. It's Ms. Madine's memoir of how she got to where she is in life, starting with the gradual breakdown of her marriage, continuing through her being ripped off by a business partner and her going to prison for benefit fraud...then she makes that first wedding dress (with a 107-foot train, no less!) and gradually becomes the go-to dressmaker for the travellers. It's very interesting to see how she gradually gets to grips with the travellers' very different outlook on life and standards of behaviour, and eventually becomes a close friend of many traveller women and something of an advocate for their lifestyle. Seeing her figuring out how to make the dresses that her clients want (their general requests seem to be "bigger! Shiny-er!") is also quite fascinating. And the book is packed with anecdotes about the various clients and dresses.
Ms. Madine doesn't go in for digging deeply at all, and she's almost relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, so overall this is a pretty lightweight book. No deep dark secrets or shocking revelations - just a cheerful description of a life that the author obviously enjoys.
Thelma Madine is a dressmaker who started out making children's "occasion" clothes - First Communion dresses and pretty party outfits. Then one of the other stallholders in the market where she sold her creations asked her to do a wedding dress, and it all sort of snowballed from there. Now she is well-known for making crazy, over-the-top, diamante-encrusted wedding dresses with mile-long trains for Irish travellers. Well-known, that is, amongst (a) the travelling community and (b) those who watch a TV programme called "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". (I do not fall into either of these groups.)
Despite my not having any background knowledge, I enjoyed this book. It's Ms. Madine's memoir of how she got to where she is in life, starting with the gradual breakdown of her marriage, continuing through her being ripped off by a business partner and her going to prison for benefit fraud...then she makes that first wedding dress (with a 107-foot train, no less!) and gradually becomes the go-to dressmaker for the travellers. It's very interesting to see how she gradually gets to grips with the travellers' very different outlook on life and standards of behaviour, and eventually becomes a close friend of many traveller women and something of an advocate for their lifestyle. Seeing her figuring out how to make the dresses that her clients want (their general requests seem to be "bigger! Shiny-er!") is also quite fascinating. And the book is packed with anecdotes about the various clients and dresses.
Ms. Madine doesn't go in for digging deeply at all, and she's almost relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, so overall this is a pretty lightweight book. No deep dark secrets or shocking revelations - just a cheerful description of a life that the author obviously enjoys.
July 20, 2016
My guilty pleasure is the "Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" series - admittedly, I got into it for the wrong reasons. I saw pictures of the extravagant, huge, no-holds-barred wedding dresses and wanted to know more. Instead, I found myself fascinated in the insight it gave (whether this insight was respectful, misrepresentative or something in between) of a culture set apart from the mainstream - in particular the massive gulf between appearances and realities of gypsy life.
In each episode, there was always Thelma the down-to-earth, accommodating but certainly no pushover dressmaker who brings the almost ludicrous visions of the young women to life. I read this because I wanted to know more about her - to know more about her and what went through her head when asked to make a girl into a pineapple.
Like many memoirs, this is a "rags to satin underskirts" story of a local girl made good - you learn about Thelma's past, including a nasty divorce and a spell in jail (not a spoiler - it's in the blurb).
Much of the story revolves around gypsy life and explaining it for people, especially those who have perhaps formed certain opinions watching the TV show. I can understand that with the intrusion of a TV show, Madine might have wanted to keep some of her personal material to herself (especially her kids) and so much of her success is connected with the traveler community that it makes sense so much of the book is centred on them. After all, I wouldn't know who she was otherwise.
Don't expect much detailed information on the deep specifics of her dressmaking as it would be a much-guarded secret to her success. Also bear in mind that Madine is a dressmaker, not a writer. However, her warmth of character and the intriguing nature of the subject matter makes it a compelling read.
In each episode, there was always Thelma the down-to-earth, accommodating but certainly no pushover dressmaker who brings the almost ludicrous visions of the young women to life. I read this because I wanted to know more about her - to know more about her and what went through her head when asked to make a girl into a pineapple.
Like many memoirs, this is a "rags to satin underskirts" story of a local girl made good - you learn about Thelma's past, including a nasty divorce and a spell in jail (not a spoiler - it's in the blurb).
Much of the story revolves around gypsy life and explaining it for people, especially those who have perhaps formed certain opinions watching the TV show. I can understand that with the intrusion of a TV show, Madine might have wanted to keep some of her personal material to herself (especially her kids) and so much of her success is connected with the traveler community that it makes sense so much of the book is centred on them. After all, I wouldn't know who she was otherwise.
Don't expect much detailed information on the deep specifics of her dressmaking as it would be a much-guarded secret to her success. Also bear in mind that Madine is a dressmaker, not a writer. However, her warmth of character and the intriguing nature of the subject matter makes it a compelling read.
September 1, 2012
If you have watched 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' then you would remember Thelma Madine as the dress maker on the show. She makes unbelievable, extravagant, huge breathtakingly beautiful dresses, with some of them weighing more than the person wearing them! In 'Tales of the Gypsy Dressmaker' she shares the story of how she ended up becoming one of the most sought after dress makers by the travellers, and gypsies!
This book was so much fun to read! I actually found myself laughing out loud a few times! You would think when you get to the part where she tells about first entering prison that you would feel moved to tears, but Thelma takes this depressing situation, and turns it into a humorous one.
the only reason I didn't give this book five stars was because there was a lot of repetitiveness, though there did seem to be less of it towards the end. It still didn't take away from this being a very enjoyable read.
This book was so much fun to read! I actually found myself laughing out loud a few times! You would think when you get to the part where she tells about first entering prison that you would feel moved to tears, but Thelma takes this depressing situation, and turns it into a humorous one.
the only reason I didn't give this book five stars was because there was a lot of repetitiveness, though there did seem to be less of it towards the end. It still didn't take away from this being a very enjoyable read.
October 21, 2017
It takes all sorts
I’ve been watching the Gypsy Weddings TV show recently and started being quite intrigued by it. At first I was amused by the dresses and bits and pieces of it all – the huge skirts, the pumpkin carriages to go to church, the glittering tiaras, the excessive make up and hairdos, but as I kept watching I realized there was more to it than met the eye. So I bought the book of the Gypsy Dressmaker.
I must say it’s quite an entertaining read: it’s both the dressmaker’s autobiography and a collection of tales of the brides, their families and their weddings, but most of all it gives you an insight into the gypsy’s community background and culture, which explains the seemingly ridiculous looks and outfits. As Thelma puts it, “People were talking about it on blogs on the internet,some of them saying how ridiculous the dress was. I suppose a lot of people think that about the gypsy dresses, but I think they are missing a point. What they don’t get is that it’s all about fantasy. (...) While most people spend their lives trying to pull back and do what everyone else thinks is the right or nice thing to do, the traveller’s attitude is just the opposite. They don’t see anything wrong in going over the top. ‘Why not make a dream come true?’ is their attitude.” (p.133-34)
Yes, but all that glitters is not gold. Because the dream is carefully imbued into the girls’ minds from the cradle: “Most gypsy girls start fantasising about their wedding dress from the minute they can draw. The thing is, unlike most girls their age, traveller girls don’t go out clubbing or to pubs or anything like that (...) Many leave school when they’re about 11 or 12, because their mums and dads don’t want them mixing with the other non-traveller kids or be tempted into doing things non-traveller teenagers do, like drinking or messing around with boys. From the age of about eight these girls are taught that their job is to learn how to cook, clean, wash and look after their siblings. They learn to be housemakers.” (p. 123)
To be honest, that’s not what most women in our Western, globalised and corrupted society would find tempting. I understand that these gypsy girls and women are very happy to get married at 16 and start a family before they’re even 18. Only, I wonder how much choice they’re given, leaving school at their parents’ will at 12 and being almost segragated in the house (or caravan). But as they say, it takes all sorts to make a world.
I’ve been watching the Gypsy Weddings TV show recently and started being quite intrigued by it. At first I was amused by the dresses and bits and pieces of it all – the huge skirts, the pumpkin carriages to go to church, the glittering tiaras, the excessive make up and hairdos, but as I kept watching I realized there was more to it than met the eye. So I bought the book of the Gypsy Dressmaker.
I must say it’s quite an entertaining read: it’s both the dressmaker’s autobiography and a collection of tales of the brides, their families and their weddings, but most of all it gives you an insight into the gypsy’s community background and culture, which explains the seemingly ridiculous looks and outfits. As Thelma puts it, “People were talking about it on blogs on the internet,some of them saying how ridiculous the dress was. I suppose a lot of people think that about the gypsy dresses, but I think they are missing a point. What they don’t get is that it’s all about fantasy. (...) While most people spend their lives trying to pull back and do what everyone else thinks is the right or nice thing to do, the traveller’s attitude is just the opposite. They don’t see anything wrong in going over the top. ‘Why not make a dream come true?’ is their attitude.” (p.133-34)
Yes, but all that glitters is not gold. Because the dream is carefully imbued into the girls’ minds from the cradle: “Most gypsy girls start fantasising about their wedding dress from the minute they can draw. The thing is, unlike most girls their age, traveller girls don’t go out clubbing or to pubs or anything like that (...) Many leave school when they’re about 11 or 12, because their mums and dads don’t want them mixing with the other non-traveller kids or be tempted into doing things non-traveller teenagers do, like drinking or messing around with boys. From the age of about eight these girls are taught that their job is to learn how to cook, clean, wash and look after their siblings. They learn to be housemakers.” (p. 123)
To be honest, that’s not what most women in our Western, globalised and corrupted society would find tempting. I understand that these gypsy girls and women are very happy to get married at 16 and start a family before they’re even 18. Only, I wonder how much choice they’re given, leaving school at their parents’ will at 12 and being almost segragated in the house (or caravan). But as they say, it takes all sorts to make a world.
August 3, 2021
I enjoyed watching the My Big Gypsy Wedding series, it was a fun if not always politically correct program. AS a fan of the show I enjoyed reading Thelma's journey to becoming a successful business women. This book is a wonderful slice of life look at an often misunderstood and unfairly maligned ethnicity and subculture. The author’s voice is compelling, the anecdotes relayed are illuminating, and the book is fully-realized as a stand-alone work.
November 18, 2018
Please don’t be fooled by the fact that this book is connected to a reality tv show - this book is a wonderful slice of life look at an often misunderstood and unfairly maligned ethnicity and subculture. The author’s voice is compelling, the anecdotes relayed are illuminating, and the book is fully-realized as a stand-alone work. Highly recommend regardless of whether or not you’ve seen the show
May 8, 2023
Do you remember the TV series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding? About a dressmaker who makes massively over the top wedding and communion dresses for the traveller community? Well this is the biography of the dressmaker.
From humble beginnings on Paddy’s Market, right through to becoming a TV star, it’s all in here
From humble beginnings on Paddy’s Market, right through to becoming a TV star, it’s all in here
September 28, 2019
Not what I expected but still good
I really thought it was going be about the dresses and travellers. I was expecting her life story. Reading her story made me sad for you. But I have nothing be respect for the dress maker. All in all this is book great
I really thought it was going be about the dresses and travellers. I was expecting her life story. Reading her story made me sad for you. But I have nothing be respect for the dress maker. All in all this is book great
April 10, 2022
I was really interested in the "behind thr scenes" but this book need a good editor (way way too much repetition) and the fatphobia, misogyny, and general anti-feminist petition made me slim read thr second half. Disappointed.
June 19, 2017
A bit piecey, but she has an interesting storey to tell
October 22, 2017
Easy read and reasonably interesting. However her justification of acts such as domestic violence and sexual assault (grabbing) as being a part of traveller 'culture' is appalling.
August 21, 2018
I picked this up as Ive never watched the show (to much drama) but always been interested in the dresses. It was pretty good and quite interesting.
January 12, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Getting go know about the woman behind the TV show.
August 2, 2022
Amazing book to read. I felt like I got to know more than I ever had before.
October 14, 2022
Great book
February 23, 2017
I really enjoyed the TV show Big Fat Gypsy Weddings so I was interested to read this book. I also quite like the dresses even if I do think it is ridiculous to have a dress you can't walk in, I still think they look amazing. I wasn't too sure how much I would like the book as I didn't see how it could be interesting just hearing the background behind the dresses and Thelma's life story but I was pleasantly surprised. The format was really engaging and I zipped through it very quickly. I also enjoyed the photos in the book as well. I would recommend to any fan of the show.
May 8, 2012
First off I am so fascinated by Gypsys and their way of life that this might have influenced my opinion a tiny bit. I fell in love with the tv show, My Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and all the amazing over the top dresses so when I found out Thelma, the gypsy dressmaker, had written a book I knew I had to read it. And this book did not disappoint. It was a biography, which are books that I have a love hate relationship with, but this book was so entertaining that I couldn't put it down. While she told her story, she shared more about the ways of Gypsys. The way she wrote and talked about them made you understand them more and think their way of doing things is normal and acceptable. I am very fascinated by them and how they go about things, I would love to read more about them and their lives. I also loved hearing all her stories and how she started making the dresses. I love the way she speaks and looks at things differently. I recommend this book to everyone who has seen the show, it is a definite must read for fans. And for those who have not seen the show, get off goodreads right now and go watch some My Big Fat Gypsy Weddings! Also I loved the small update on Cheyenne from MBFGW. The grabbing episode has always been one of the episodes that has stuck with me and it was nice to hear that it was only fun and games and that Gypsys are a bit OTT and dramatic ( although I am still on the fence about "grabbing"). In fact apparently she is now engaged to that guy!
September 6, 2012
Great book, quick read. A mix of Thelma's life, career, dressmaking the gypsy wedding dresses & a good insight to travellers lifestyles from Thelma's experience working with them.
Negatives are it's a bit repetitive in a lot of chapters and the book could be in a better order. I would like to have had a bit more specifics on Thelma's family life and dates etc, that's where I find it's a bit muddled and the book could have more order to it. All in all a good, interesting, easy read from a lovely lady.
Negatives are it's a bit repetitive in a lot of chapters and the book could be in a better order. I would like to have had a bit more specifics on Thelma's family life and dates etc, that's where I find it's a bit muddled and the book could have more order to it. All in all a good, interesting, easy read from a lovely lady.
November 1, 2012
I chose this book at the library because I like dressmaking and live near the author's shop. I didn't enjoy the writing style - it was basically a string of anecdotes recounting her experiences and written very much as if she was speaking to you.
The book goes into a little more details about the lives of her gypsy customers than the TV show. She also talks about how her business began.
Fans of the show might like it and it is easy reading.
The book goes into a little more details about the lives of her gypsy customers than the TV show. She also talks about how her business began.
Fans of the show might like it and it is easy reading.
September 12, 2015
Interesting collection of stories - have never watched the show, but was intrigued by the idea of dressmaking these elaborate costumes for a cultural subgroup of people. Wasn't half-bad, kept me occupied on a train trip back from Chicago, so there's that. Not going to go overboard in praising it, though - a good portion of the book seemed devoted to Madine making sure everyone knew the true story behind her legal troubles.
February 10, 2014
I was a fan of my big fat gypsy wedding so naturally when I saw this book I did buy it, and I enjoyed hearing about the tales of gypsies she'd encountered, as well as hearing the struggles she went through to become as successful as she is now, it made me want to become a dress maker! (short lived fantasy seeing as I can't sew or design or anything that's needed to become a successful one haha!)
June 23, 2019
I've just read this for the 2nd time, b/c I couldn't remember I'd already read it once. And that, my fellow flighty readers, is why I use this website.
I adore the look into the gypsy culture, the extravagant gowns, funny stories, and Thelma's positive outlook through thick & thin. Even better the 2nd time!
I adore the look into the gypsy culture, the extravagant gowns, funny stories, and Thelma's positive outlook through thick & thin. Even better the 2nd time!
March 12, 2015
I really enjoyed this book as I have always been fascinated by the dresses on the TV programme and I have always liked Thelma with her straight talking ways. This book was a great insight into Thelma's life and working ways and how she has come from nothing to where she is now! I admired her when I saw the programme and this book has made me admire her more!
June 20, 2012
great insight into the gypsy commuity. Its honest and frank and tells you where it all started. Lots of OMG moments. Only thing i would say stopped it being 5 stars is that she jumps from the present to the past a lot and its hard to keep up. good read tho.
August 2, 2012
Fascinating insight into the stuff the media don't portray on the telly told from the woman who has built amazing relationships with the different gypsy communities and who has quite a story to tell herself.
August 31, 2012
very interestin book read it in almost a day cos i was so into it. i luv all the pics of the dresses in the book to. if i was able to get thelma madine to make my dress for wen i had my weddin i would of.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews