Threads: the untold story of fashion house George Gross & Harry Who

by Rose Fydler

The unvarnished truth behind one of Australia's best known fashion labels reads like a thriller. THREADS - the story of fashion house George Gross & Harry Who - is an action and fun-packed ride that is heart-wrenching at times, and yet bursting with hilarious celebrity anecdotes. Charting the highs and lows in the life of designing wunderkind George Gross, it includes his past as a Hungarian Holocaust survivor and flight from the devastation and poverty of war-torn Europe, his bond as a twin, the passion behind his "secret" fifty-year love affair, and tales from the glittering and gossipy world of haute couture. This stunning account of one talented man's rags to riches climb to the very top of the fashion industry will take your breath away.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 17, 2018

About the author

One of Australia’s most experienced magazine journalists, Rose Fydler started her 30-plus years writing career at Vogue before branching out to Inside Sport, the Australian Women’s Weekly, New Idea, Woman’s Day and a host of other top publications. In the course of breaking the big stories, she has trekked the Great Wall of China with Olivia Newton-John, flown with Ian Thorpe to remote Aboriginal settlements, and covered celebrity weddings in Borneo, Bali, Italy and England. Threads is her third book.

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, easy to read and an amazing life story.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable account of the life and careers of George and Kathy Gross and Harry Watt.

[Robin Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read in this book about the attempt by fashion designer George Gross's mother and aunt in the 1940s to get back to Hungary from a Nazi concentration camp, I couldn't relate the trauma and sadness to George Gross's many highly successful years in the Australian fashion industry. However, after reading Threads I understood - as much as someone who has never experienced war, depravation and persecution can - that big doses of bravery, luck and a determination to make the most of your talents are the underlying theme of the lives written about here.

I read, then re-read the first, shocking and appalling 'Hungarian' section of Threads. I had to do that to get my head around the viciousness of what some human can do to innocent others. Then, as the story took me to Australia and revealed, in a slow, fascinating dance between personal and business anecdotes, conflicts, triumphs and passion (always passion), the rest of the untold story of a glittering triumph, I stayed absorbed in it for a whole weekend. I could hardly put the book aside to interact with my family and eat.

Before I read Threads, George Gross and Harry Who were fashion designers whose clothes I admired and wore. Now I thank Rose Fydler for her clever and empathetic telling of the many stories that surround the men and the labels.

[Mary Mckennalong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Engaging story that resonated very strongly with me. Inspiring example of loving what you do and being authentic. Great tale, well written of lives well lived.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully told story in such a readable easy style. I knew the fashion, which was the iconic brand of George Gross and Harry Who, but nothing of the endurance, sacrifice and perseverance which made them into such a success. Behind any artist is the back story of support people and what a great tale it is!

[Georgia Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and sometimes heart wrenching story, stunningly expressed. After reading this book you come to appreciate not only fashion, but that everyone has a story. Rose does with her writing what George and Harry do with fabric - create well-thought-out, extraordinarily crafted pieces.

[Cherylyn Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A close look at behind the scenes of one of Australia's top fashion houses. I found their family story fascinating and loved the way Rose Fydler was able to let us into this world.

[Renarta Azzopardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing emotional story from the Holocaust to becoming a successful fashion designer. I couldn’t put this book down.