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Fashion Is Freedom: A Girl from Tehran and Her Rise to the Runway
Since the tender age of eight, Tala Raassi knew she was meant to work in fashion. But in Iran, a woman can be punished for exposing her hair, let alone wearing the newest trends. Determined to follow her dream, Tala pushed back. She never imagined her behavior would land her in prison or bring the cruel sting of a whip for the crime of wearing a miniskirt.
Tala's forty lashes didn't keep her down-they spurred her to start her own fashion label. Fashion Is Freedom is an incredible memoir that crosses the globe, from Iran to Las Vegas, and inspires women everywhere to be fearless.
Tala's forty lashes didn't keep her down-they spurred her to start her own fashion label. Fashion Is Freedom is an incredible memoir that crosses the globe, from Iran to Las Vegas, and inspires women everywhere to be fearless.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2016
8 people are currently reading
657 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 17, 2017
Anyone who knows me is probably wondering, "Why the hell are you reading this book? Since when do you care about fashion?" And you're right, if you just read the first three words in the title. But it's the last part, "A Girl from Tehran and Her Rise to the Runway", that drew my attention. I read the back cover and wondered, "how can a girl who was abused and tossed into jail by Iranian Basijis at the age of 16 make it out of Iran and start a successful business in America?" The Basijis are a volunteer paramilitary militia - there's no real analogue for such an organization in the US.
I commend Tala for never backing down and achieving her dream. She definitely did not choose the easy way out and give up. Regardless, I was disappointed, frankly, to discover that this is more of a riches-to-riches story. I found it extremely difficult to relate to her lifestyle of opulence and preference, even as a child in Iran.
The writing style is not my preference - Tala overuses dramatic cliches to describe relatively mundane scenarios. It would have been nice to hear more about what was going on in her mind as events unfolded.
I did my best and hacked this out to Chapter 17, but I couldn't read past that. The writing is overwhelmed with forced expressions and non-sequiturs. I had to put it down.
The book doesn't flow very well, even within chapters. I get the impression that the book was rushed to meet some deadline - parts of the book do not appear to have been proofread for clarity. The general message is still transmitted and understood, but not in a particularly effective or compelling way.
Quotes
P. 33: In America, living inside our comfortable bubble, we get enraged by heavy traffic, our Starbucks order not being correct, rainy weather, and other trivial matters, while people all over the world are living through what I witnessed in my childhood - and worse - every single day. It's important to know that things can always be worse and to cherish every little bit of bliss that we are given.
P. 38: I daydreamed about living in a society where women wore Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, and other high-end designers openly in public - right where they belonged.
P. 57: When something comes so innately from within you, it's hard to subdue it from radiating out of you.
P. 73: After the Islamic regime banned all public entertainment, the youth went in search of other methods of amusement. They can't go to concerts, movies, clubs, or bars. So they run out of things to do in the privacy of their own homes and turn to drugs.
P. 73: If you spend too much time wanting to be someone else, then you forget to be yourself.
I commend Tala for never backing down and achieving her dream. She definitely did not choose the easy way out and give up. Regardless, I was disappointed, frankly, to discover that this is more of a riches-to-riches story. I found it extremely difficult to relate to her lifestyle of opulence and preference, even as a child in Iran.
The writing style is not my preference - Tala overuses dramatic cliches to describe relatively mundane scenarios. It would have been nice to hear more about what was going on in her mind as events unfolded.
I did my best and hacked this out to Chapter 17, but I couldn't read past that. The writing is overwhelmed with forced expressions and non-sequiturs. I had to put it down.
The book doesn't flow very well, even within chapters. I get the impression that the book was rushed to meet some deadline - parts of the book do not appear to have been proofread for clarity. The general message is still transmitted and understood, but not in a particularly effective or compelling way.
Quotes
P. 33: In America, living inside our comfortable bubble, we get enraged by heavy traffic, our Starbucks order not being correct, rainy weather, and other trivial matters, while people all over the world are living through what I witnessed in my childhood - and worse - every single day. It's important to know that things can always be worse and to cherish every little bit of bliss that we are given.
P. 38: I daydreamed about living in a society where women wore Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, and other high-end designers openly in public - right where they belonged.
P. 57: When something comes so innately from within you, it's hard to subdue it from radiating out of you.
P. 73: After the Islamic regime banned all public entertainment, the youth went in search of other methods of amusement. They can't go to concerts, movies, clubs, or bars. So they run out of things to do in the privacy of their own homes and turn to drugs.
P. 73: If you spend too much time wanting to be someone else, then you forget to be yourself.
June 2, 2017
This book is a memoir of sorts, but its most important legacy is its prescient warning about Trump. As you read the pages about him and his organization, you will find a description of the amoral and callous con man we are all too familiar with today.
Tala Raassi was born in America, but grew up in Iran. She lived a very privileged life. She writes about enjoying her spacious home, her family’s luxury villa by the sea, and their weekend home. She had a nanny to take care of her and she partied with other rich kids. Her chief lament for much of her young life was that she did not have as much as her richer friends. She was expelled from a couple of schoos, but as she explains—it was because of poor choice in friends. She received a harsh awakening, however, when her parents could not buy her out of a severe punishment when she was caught attending a raucous party. She received 40 lashes for attending a party with men present and wearing a “miniskirt and makeup” in their presence. Afterwards, her parents sent her to America to attend college. They wanted her to become lawyer, but she dropped out of college and pursued a career in fashion. She eventually persuaded a friend to invest $175,000 in her swimsuit venture Dar Be Dar. She needed the investment to pay the sponsorship fee for the Miss Universe Pageant. She hoped the pageant would help her swimsuit label become successful. She was soon to become very disappointed with the Miss Universe Organization for breaking promises and the way it treated her and the women in the pageant. She writes, for example, “I no longer believed in the Miss Universe Organization, and in that moment I was happy that Iranian women were banned from participating in such a pageant. It felt clear to me that they didn’t take a strong and supportive view of women. . . . We deserved to be treated with more respect“ (284).
Later, she writes about her personal interaction with Trump:
“As Trump left, he turned to his friend and said, ‘That is our swimwear sponsor. She paid two million dollars to be here.’ They both chuckled. And Trump shot me a smile as he walked to the judging room. I turned to Erika and asked, ‘Did he just make fun of how much we paid to become sponsors?’ Maybe the thousands we paid wasn’t much money to the organization or Trump, but it was to us. . . . I walked through the doors of the arena onto the red carpet. . . . I spotted Trump in front of me and felt sick to my stomach. I realized I was furious about the comment he had made earlier. . . As I was ushered along the red carpet, I answered as many questions as I could and posed for photos. I wish I could have enjoyed it, but the only thing going through my head during those few minutes was Mr. Trump. I could still see him up ahead of me . . . the media was going berserk at the sight of him” (289-92).
Although she doesn’t say it explicitly, the impression I had from the book is that the 40 lashes were less painful and less humiliating than her encounter with Trump.
As she explains, “Not everyone who walks through darkness makes it out, and that was exactly how I was feeling after the Miss Universe Pageant” (297).
Let’s just hope that we, too, may walk through the darkness and make it out.
Her final words are: “Become more than just successful—become fearless” (307). Indeed, that is what we must all become to make it out of the darkness.
Tala Raassi was born in America, but grew up in Iran. She lived a very privileged life. She writes about enjoying her spacious home, her family’s luxury villa by the sea, and their weekend home. She had a nanny to take care of her and she partied with other rich kids. Her chief lament for much of her young life was that she did not have as much as her richer friends. She was expelled from a couple of schoos, but as she explains—it was because of poor choice in friends. She received a harsh awakening, however, when her parents could not buy her out of a severe punishment when she was caught attending a raucous party. She received 40 lashes for attending a party with men present and wearing a “miniskirt and makeup” in their presence. Afterwards, her parents sent her to America to attend college. They wanted her to become lawyer, but she dropped out of college and pursued a career in fashion. She eventually persuaded a friend to invest $175,000 in her swimsuit venture Dar Be Dar. She needed the investment to pay the sponsorship fee for the Miss Universe Pageant. She hoped the pageant would help her swimsuit label become successful. She was soon to become very disappointed with the Miss Universe Organization for breaking promises and the way it treated her and the women in the pageant. She writes, for example, “I no longer believed in the Miss Universe Organization, and in that moment I was happy that Iranian women were banned from participating in such a pageant. It felt clear to me that they didn’t take a strong and supportive view of women. . . . We deserved to be treated with more respect“ (284).
Later, she writes about her personal interaction with Trump:
“As Trump left, he turned to his friend and said, ‘That is our swimwear sponsor. She paid two million dollars to be here.’ They both chuckled. And Trump shot me a smile as he walked to the judging room. I turned to Erika and asked, ‘Did he just make fun of how much we paid to become sponsors?’ Maybe the thousands we paid wasn’t much money to the organization or Trump, but it was to us. . . . I walked through the doors of the arena onto the red carpet. . . . I spotted Trump in front of me and felt sick to my stomach. I realized I was furious about the comment he had made earlier. . . As I was ushered along the red carpet, I answered as many questions as I could and posed for photos. I wish I could have enjoyed it, but the only thing going through my head during those few minutes was Mr. Trump. I could still see him up ahead of me . . . the media was going berserk at the sight of him” (289-92).
Although she doesn’t say it explicitly, the impression I had from the book is that the 40 lashes were less painful and less humiliating than her encounter with Trump.
As she explains, “Not everyone who walks through darkness makes it out, and that was exactly how I was feeling after the Miss Universe Pageant” (297).
Let’s just hope that we, too, may walk through the darkness and make it out.
Her final words are: “Become more than just successful—become fearless” (307). Indeed, that is what we must all become to make it out of the darkness.
November 2, 2016
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. My opinion is just that...mine...and completely unbiased.
This is a story of riches-to-riches, but with a lot of hard work along the way. While I found this to be interesting, especially Tala's telling's of her experiences in Tehran, it fell really flat at the end. I wish Tala the best, but her story just didn't reverberate with me.
This is a story of riches-to-riches, but with a lot of hard work along the way. While I found this to be interesting, especially Tala's telling's of her experiences in Tehran, it fell really flat at the end. I wish Tala the best, but her story just didn't reverberate with me.
March 2, 2017
I tried to finish this book, but it's poorly written and chock full of cliches. If the twobit Hallmark card platitudes were cut out, the book would be half its size but a much more enjoyable read.
November 3, 2017
Ever had a run in with the government? A run in so big that you are lashed on the back forty times, as your punishment?
But for a young girl called Tala Raassi, growing up with the burning desire of fashion, wasn’t so lucky. She tells her story from being a restricted young teenage girl living in Iraq, to building herself her own empire, in her novel Fashion is Freedom.
Tala Raassi herself wrote this novel based off of her own experience and true life events, handing her inspiration on to the reader.
Tala grew up in a small town called Tehran, and as little as eight years old she knew that a needle, thread and her future in fashion was her courageous, yet dangerous dream.
Dangerous because having the dream of exposing ones style, in a country like Iraq where woman can be punished for exposing their hair alone, is bound to get you in trouble.
Tala attempted to avoid this for as long as she could, until one day everything came crashing down on her.
Alongside her friends, Tala suffered the brutal and gruesome punishments that are given for wearing over exposing clothing, which in that religion has built to become highly disrespectful. Spending many days imprisoned, though Tala’s passion to incorporate fashion in her up coming future, only grew stronger, and soon realised she needed to make this dream a realty. Tala escaped the country and moved to America, DC. From here is where her journey begins.
~~
The novel was written well in a sense the author makes the reader feel sympathetic, as she is very descriptive about every high in her life, and every low, consistently striving and wanting Tala to make her dream a reality.
Tala grew up around the islamic republic which shaped her generation into limited liberty.
Though this is what Tala faced everyday for many years of our life, where as living in comparison a very privileged country, I found the “My Magical Iran”, section of the novel difficult to relate to the characters.
“Don’t get hopeless, get inspired.” Is the second half of the novel, in comparison to the first half, I enjoyed this section more as I was able to get a deep understanding of the pressures Tala faced regarding success, failure, and following a dream.
A theme that follows through the books is Justice, meaning the fight for, injustice, truth versus justice. Tala herself also fought for her own and many others freedom, rebelled against limitation, and believed in standing out from the masses. She described her fashion as a form of righteousness and integrity.
~~
Feeling the need to keep turning the pages is a necessity when reading this novel. As it requires the reader to give the story It's full potential. By not giving up on the storyline which is consistently developing.
Normally, a basic novel contains a single climax and resolution. Where as in comparison, the whole story that Tala has written is based shown to have a consistent climax, after climax. I found this became repetitive quickly and at some points was unmotivated to carry on reading.
Though by putting in the effort the novel, the ending tied together with the beginning, and I was able to recognise the overall climax and resolution.
In conclusion, I highly suggest the novel to those who enjoy true stories, and are mature enough to take in graphic and explicit scenes.
I believe the ending tied in well with the dynamics of the novel and no reader will be left untouched or uninspired.
But for a young girl called Tala Raassi, growing up with the burning desire of fashion, wasn’t so lucky. She tells her story from being a restricted young teenage girl living in Iraq, to building herself her own empire, in her novel Fashion is Freedom.
Tala Raassi herself wrote this novel based off of her own experience and true life events, handing her inspiration on to the reader.
Tala grew up in a small town called Tehran, and as little as eight years old she knew that a needle, thread and her future in fashion was her courageous, yet dangerous dream.
Dangerous because having the dream of exposing ones style, in a country like Iraq where woman can be punished for exposing their hair alone, is bound to get you in trouble.
Tala attempted to avoid this for as long as she could, until one day everything came crashing down on her.
Alongside her friends, Tala suffered the brutal and gruesome punishments that are given for wearing over exposing clothing, which in that religion has built to become highly disrespectful. Spending many days imprisoned, though Tala’s passion to incorporate fashion in her up coming future, only grew stronger, and soon realised she needed to make this dream a realty. Tala escaped the country and moved to America, DC. From here is where her journey begins.
~~
The novel was written well in a sense the author makes the reader feel sympathetic, as she is very descriptive about every high in her life, and every low, consistently striving and wanting Tala to make her dream a reality.
Tala grew up around the islamic republic which shaped her generation into limited liberty.
Though this is what Tala faced everyday for many years of our life, where as living in comparison a very privileged country, I found the “My Magical Iran”, section of the novel difficult to relate to the characters.
“Don’t get hopeless, get inspired.” Is the second half of the novel, in comparison to the first half, I enjoyed this section more as I was able to get a deep understanding of the pressures Tala faced regarding success, failure, and following a dream.
A theme that follows through the books is Justice, meaning the fight for, injustice, truth versus justice. Tala herself also fought for her own and many others freedom, rebelled against limitation, and believed in standing out from the masses. She described her fashion as a form of righteousness and integrity.
~~
Feeling the need to keep turning the pages is a necessity when reading this novel. As it requires the reader to give the story It's full potential. By not giving up on the storyline which is consistently developing.
Normally, a basic novel contains a single climax and resolution. Where as in comparison, the whole story that Tala has written is based shown to have a consistent climax, after climax. I found this became repetitive quickly and at some points was unmotivated to carry on reading.
Though by putting in the effort the novel, the ending tied together with the beginning, and I was able to recognise the overall climax and resolution.
In conclusion, I highly suggest the novel to those who enjoy true stories, and are mature enough to take in graphic and explicit scenes.
I believe the ending tied in well with the dynamics of the novel and no reader will be left untouched or uninspired.
February 10, 2018
This is one of the two books I borrowed from the library after getting a library card.
From what I have gathered in the book: Tala has always been passionate and driven. Even in her teenage rebellion phase, she remained true to character/herself. Albeit she did grow to be wiser and stronger than ever. Tala’s story is very inspirational, and I admire her courage and drive to pursue her dreams regardless of the obstacles that comes her way. It was also comforting to somehow relate to someone struggling to make a new country your new home.
Excerpt:
“I was in a love-hate relationship with my new home. I felt inadequate, so I ostracized myself until I was ready to confront my fears. And my limited English vocabulary surely wasn’t helping me adjust [to the United States].”
“Despite being surrounded by so many interesting people, being in an environment that was so different from what I was used to gave me a sharp shiver of fear every day.”
The book could have used a little more editing, but nonetheless it was a good read. I also like the inspirational quotes and conclusions she includes in every last part of every chapter. My favourite was:
“So what’s the difference between figuring out how to live and making your dream a reality? There isn’t one. Your passion is your life, and to live your desired life, you have to take the journey. You must make your passion a part of your daily routine, so it becomes less of a task and more of an innate habit. Just know that you don’t always have to figure everything out in order to move forward, because once you’re on the right track, it will take you where you need to go.”
I’d recommend this to anyone who likes to read anything inspirational, or about cultural differences, woman empowerment, and the struggle of a designer to make it to the top.
From what I have gathered in the book: Tala has always been passionate and driven. Even in her teenage rebellion phase, she remained true to character/herself. Albeit she did grow to be wiser and stronger than ever. Tala’s story is very inspirational, and I admire her courage and drive to pursue her dreams regardless of the obstacles that comes her way. It was also comforting to somehow relate to someone struggling to make a new country your new home.
Excerpt:
“I was in a love-hate relationship with my new home. I felt inadequate, so I ostracized myself until I was ready to confront my fears. And my limited English vocabulary surely wasn’t helping me adjust [to the United States].”
“Despite being surrounded by so many interesting people, being in an environment that was so different from what I was used to gave me a sharp shiver of fear every day.”
The book could have used a little more editing, but nonetheless it was a good read. I also like the inspirational quotes and conclusions she includes in every last part of every chapter. My favourite was:
“So what’s the difference between figuring out how to live and making your dream a reality? There isn’t one. Your passion is your life, and to live your desired life, you have to take the journey. You must make your passion a part of your daily routine, so it becomes less of a task and more of an innate habit. Just know that you don’t always have to figure everything out in order to move forward, because once you’re on the right track, it will take you where you need to go.”
I’d recommend this to anyone who likes to read anything inspirational, or about cultural differences, woman empowerment, and the struggle of a designer to make it to the top.
October 10, 2017
Interesting perspective. Her voice was not entirely like-able to me, but I still liked reading her story. It was definitely edited, and I’m sure she had more substance in it at first, but I wish I got to read that. I felt that her journey in the fashion industry took her far away from Iran and that at times she came across as still superficial and immature. I doubt that is actually true and wish there was more in the book to support that. I loved how it ended and would have enjoyed more of that substance throughout.
To that end, she took a very classy approach to recounting her 2 minute experience with Trump as the Miss Universe pageant owner as well as the operations of his pageant. Food for thought.
To that end, she took a very classy approach to recounting her 2 minute experience with Trump as the Miss Universe pageant owner as well as the operations of his pageant. Food for thought.
November 4, 2022
Fashion Is Freedom is an inspiring story about a girl with a big heart and a rebellious way that does not mean to harm just to show we do not always have to do what society dictates to us at various ages in our life. Clever, cheeky, fun, inspirational and easy to relate to.
I liked that she didn't follow the rules of society and made changes to benefit her and the world . I would recommend the book to someone else if they like to read about how people change the world in their own ways.”who in the world are you to tell me how to act ? Its none of your business,and more importantly,I didn't do anything wrong.
I liked that she didn't follow the rules of society and made changes to benefit her and the world . I would recommend the book to someone else if they like to read about how people change the world in their own ways.”who in the world are you to tell me how to act ? Its none of your business,and more importantly,I didn't do anything wrong.
February 5, 2017
I found this book to have some inspirational reflections on perseverance and women's empowerment but overall the book lacked dimension and critical thought.
April 2, 2019
3.5 stars
January 31, 2023
Nice story but I felt like it lacked depth. Felt like a lot was missing and left me wondering how she got money to do so much, just another rich to richer story. . I’d say 3.5 ⭐️ ideally.
October 13, 2016
Born in Maryland and raised in a posh ambiance in Tehran, until the religious police arrested her for wearing a miniskirt, Tala Raassi reinvented herself one more time in the States. Eager to pursue her American dream, of creating fashion as her highest way to express and cultivate freedom, she had to cope with the difficulties of the day-by-day business challenges. Forget the glamour and the creative bubble, as an entrepreneur, regardless of the domain of activity, you should take care of accounting, unreliable partners and the demands of bureaucracy. And, very often, with the shortage of funds too. Every day is a day of learning, including from the failures. 'Failure is not a bad thing, but only if you learn from it'. 'No failure is forever; there are always more and more chances. Things don't go wrong in your life so that you can give up with a broken soul. They go wrong so that you can learn from them and rebuild yourself with even more knowledge and strength to become the person you were intended to be'. But, Tala Raassi said: 'You just have to do what you have to do, even when it's scary'.
Written in a warm and conversational style, with some bits of self-humour and irony, this book can be a good guidance to anyone starting or considering to start a business. It is also a testimony of the hard work that passion requires, regardless how talented and financially resourceful you may be. 'Success is not achieved by speed or out of anger. You need to have a clear mind to see your vision through'. It also doesn't encourage you to leave your 9-to-5 job to dedicate time to your business. It is instead a candid story of failures and success, of getting acquainted with the world of high-class but keeping a realistic eye for the superficial part of it.
Last but not least, it is a permanent message of love for her home-country Iran, for its stylish women and their people, whose history and struggle she is trying to understand, without hate, although at 16, she was condemned to 40 lashes for her boldness. Interestingly, she draws a clear image of the current generational struggle: 'The Islamic Republic shaped a generation that experienced substantial overnight change from modernization to limited liberty. It resulted in a culture clash between the people and the government. It created confusion between familial, cultural and political values. The distinctions between religious beliefs and the freshly, enforced Islamic rules were ambigous at best. The internal war of differences that the Revolution spawned continues to go on today'.
Tala Raassi found her voice and freedom, creating fashion for self-aware women and encouraging them to follow their potential and express themselves, to find a way for being themselves. An encouraging message that it is never enough heard and followed.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the published in exchange of an honest review
Written in a warm and conversational style, with some bits of self-humour and irony, this book can be a good guidance to anyone starting or considering to start a business. It is also a testimony of the hard work that passion requires, regardless how talented and financially resourceful you may be. 'Success is not achieved by speed or out of anger. You need to have a clear mind to see your vision through'. It also doesn't encourage you to leave your 9-to-5 job to dedicate time to your business. It is instead a candid story of failures and success, of getting acquainted with the world of high-class but keeping a realistic eye for the superficial part of it.
Last but not least, it is a permanent message of love for her home-country Iran, for its stylish women and their people, whose history and struggle she is trying to understand, without hate, although at 16, she was condemned to 40 lashes for her boldness. Interestingly, she draws a clear image of the current generational struggle: 'The Islamic Republic shaped a generation that experienced substantial overnight change from modernization to limited liberty. It resulted in a culture clash between the people and the government. It created confusion between familial, cultural and political values. The distinctions between religious beliefs and the freshly, enforced Islamic rules were ambigous at best. The internal war of differences that the Revolution spawned continues to go on today'.
Tala Raassi found her voice and freedom, creating fashion for self-aware women and encouraging them to follow their potential and express themselves, to find a way for being themselves. An encouraging message that it is never enough heard and followed.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the published in exchange of an honest review
September 23, 2016
Since the tender age of eight, Tala Raassi knew she was meant to work in fashion. But in Iran, a woman can be punished for exposing her hair, let alone wearing the newest trends. Determined to follow her dream, Tala pushed back. She never imagined her behavior would land her in prison or bring the cruel sting of a whip for the crime of wearing a miniskirt.
Tala's forty lashes didn't keep her down-they spurred her to start her own fashion label. Fashion Is Freedom is an incredible memoir that crosses the globe, from Iran to Las Vegas, and inspires women everywhere to be fearless.
There are some days when a book crosses my desk that I have no preconceptions of - and sometimes that doesn't work out very well for me...
...but this book is one of those rare cases when I am beyond surprised. Tala's story is one that deserves to be read - Not just for the treatment of women in Iran but also for the spirit of the author in following her dreams and not taking no for an answer. I think she will be an inspiration to women everywhere.
There is a moment in the book when everything just clicks for Tala that I may (or may not) have given a little fist pump for her - the reader gets so engrossed in her tale that I felt like we were friends and everything that she achieves deserved my congratulations somehow.
I wish her all the continued successes - she well and truly deserves them!
Paul
ARH
Tala's forty lashes didn't keep her down-they spurred her to start her own fashion label. Fashion Is Freedom is an incredible memoir that crosses the globe, from Iran to Las Vegas, and inspires women everywhere to be fearless.
There are some days when a book crosses my desk that I have no preconceptions of - and sometimes that doesn't work out very well for me...
...but this book is one of those rare cases when I am beyond surprised. Tala's story is one that deserves to be read - Not just for the treatment of women in Iran but also for the spirit of the author in following her dreams and not taking no for an answer. I think she will be an inspiration to women everywhere.
There is a moment in the book when everything just clicks for Tala that I may (or may not) have given a little fist pump for her - the reader gets so engrossed in her tale that I felt like we were friends and everything that she achieves deserved my congratulations somehow.
I wish her all the continued successes - she well and truly deserves them!
Paul
ARH
January 13, 2017
I liked how she described her struggles and how much work it was to make it on your own. I loved some of her quotes. The problem was in that there were inconsistencies from page to page often about her views-which to weaker so much goodness she had to offer. At some points she is so amazingly profound but at others it is superficial and materialistic. But then so is fashion but to have fashion freedom then it should be more than the money aspect, if not you trade one freedom for another, who is really free? Plus I f it costs about 300 dollars at the minimum to buy her swimsuit who is she freeing? Herself? But yet she didn't like it when she got brushed one off by those with the affluence, those who had more money and business experience and had advantages that she resented. She overall has a great attitude and she looks gorgeous! I'm sure she'll make a bigger mark than me as I am the one reading her book and I am 10 years older! It is tough to put yourself out there for others to judge. She is one tough women!!
October 5, 2016
This is your #GirlBoss!!! Talas journey as a business woman and as a human being is so inspiring. Her journey, her tenacity and her pure old fashioned grind should make her the go to for all people seeking inspiration on their way to success. I loved this book and I think it's an important story that lots of people would benefit from reading. I finished reading about 5 minutes ago and I'm actually on quite a high. Tala Raassi got my blood pumping! I really feel the need to stop wasting my time and go be productive now ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ... seriously though, give this to your teenage daughters for Christmas this year!
February 6, 2017
Fascinating memoir about enduring forty lashes for wearing a miniskirt in Tehran to creating a fashion designing career in the U.S. Great story about believing in your dreams and continually learning.
Read
February 27, 2021Tala Raassi has a fascinating story worthy of sharing with the world. She had to endure 40 lashes for wearing a miniskirt in Tehran - her story is heartbreaking, but as a result she moved to the United States and started a fashion company with a strong, powerful message for women worldwide.
Read
October 10, 2016What an honest book with great perspective and awesome perseverance! You go!
April 5, 2017
The beginning of the novel is captivating, yet by chapter 14 the book loses its appeal and you feel the author is just trying to fill pages.
The beginning of the novel was raw and honest, that I would have loved to see that emotion/theme carried on throughout the book.
The beginning of the novel was raw and honest, that I would have loved to see that emotion/theme carried on throughout the book.
April 15, 2017
"Freedom is not about the amount of clothing you put on or take off! It's about having the choice to do so"- Tala Raassi
Such an inspiring story of strength, faith and hard work. I loved all the up and downs on her path to success. It made it so real!
Such an inspiring story of strength, faith and hard work. I loved all the up and downs on her path to success. It made it so real!
April 12, 2017
Actually a 3.5. Not a great writer but an interesting story. A self made woman who got 40 lashes for wearing inappropriate attire in Iran. She fled to the US to create her own fashion house.
April 15, 2017
I truly LOVED this book! I highly recommend this to anyone with a dream. Go Tala!
April 28, 2017
This is a Goodreads win review. Tala grew up in Iran where woman have a strict dress code.. But she a flair for fashion and she came to the US where she was able to develop her own fashion line. It is just great she shows courage and a dream and did not let males run her life.
July 1, 2018
It's nice to read about someone's struggle to succeed. Also to be enlightened on another country's customs. Knowledge is always good. A light read and great for a weekend away
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