Unzipped: Chronicles of a Fashion Fit Model

by Darlene Parris Young, Janice Harper (Editor)

From the Garment District’s fashionable 34th Street address in New York City, to the sewer-infested manufacturing sweatshops of Asia, the author recalls almost 50 years of professional achievement, counterbalanced by personal trauma at the hands of the men she trusted. For nearly half a century, Darlene Parris Young had a successful career in the modeling industry, gracing the covers of magazines and walking the runways. It was the glamour days of New York City’s Garment District, where the crime families battled for business; $20,000 fur coats and designer dresses traveled the streets on racks, propelled by the garmento’s trustees and, at the same time, buyers from the national department store chains were writing orders, crafted over champagne, cigars and beautiful models in the showroom. It is during these glory years of Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Diane von Furstenberg, and Gloria Vanderbilt, that this penetrating look into New York’s fashion industry is seen through the eyes of the little known, but highly paid, “fashion fit model” – the behind the scenes living mannequin who used her body as a template for the designers’ fashions. Constantly in demand, working ten to twelve hours per day, Darlene became known as “The Coat Hanger with a Mouth” for her outspoken interactions with designers, explaining to these fashion “icons” what women truly wanted in clothes, with the result of increasing the “bosses’” revenue for whom she worked, year after year. Yet, Darlene would return home at night, longing to be a mother and a wife, yet finding conflict with her husband and too exhausted to be a mother. Her children would grow and leave, while she learned that marriages were hardly a sanctuary from disappointment. Unzipped is not merely a story about modeling and NYC’s garment industry, though exciting as it may be. Unzipped is written for all women who have faced abuse and trauma; women who have encountered harassment in the workplace; women who have felt the resulting despair and loneliness of long, solitary nights, and who have worried whether the future holds any hope for happiness and love. Unzipped is a story of human trials, beginning with a highly decorated World War II father who equated discipline with physical abuse; through a series of failed marriages and, finally, the object of an unspeakable act of violence that no woman should endure. Speaking for all women who have been told what to wear, what to say, what to believe and how to act, Unzipped will have you laughing and crying, opening your heart to long-forgotten emotions and strengthening your resolve to prevail. As you witness Darlene learning to become a voice, not a victim, you will drop your jaw with disbelief on each new page; you will be left with a determination to put the past behind and you will find comfort – as well as a renewed strength - in knowing with certainty that you are not alone!

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2020

Reviews

[Shelby Holliman Carley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really changed my perception of memoirs. I am biased since I know Darlene in real life and know she is as amazing as readers will learn from this book. Her story is compelling, heartbreaking, inspiring, and brave. I could not put it down. She touches on the full spectrum of the human experience from mental health to family, marriage, career, sexism, and assault. She does it in such an incredibly honest and generous way, articulating her takeaways and lessons along the way in her rollercoaster of a journey. Beautifully done.

[PJ Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting Story of Real Life of a Successful Model

Could not put this book down!! The story was so real, the emotions so raw, the
trials so hard! We all make these mistakes.
It was good to see a high school drop out make it in NYC. We all have talents and sometimes education is not the answer

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look behind the beauty and polish

Sometimes shocking story of a famous model. Split life- confident at work, afraid to speak in her marriages. Endured sexual harassment and men who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. She found the courage to speak to others about the terrible treatment, and after years of silence and self-hatred, to find peace and contentment.

[Theresa Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually thought this books was great. Seeing a first hand account of 9/11, hearing how horribly women victims were treated back in the 80s, just a great view of her life. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[L Jerome Krovetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confusing

Plot confusing and characters are too varupied. The main person changes to much for my tastes. Not very good read.

[Barbara Bretton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

What a surprise this book turned out to be. Insights into the garment center and into life. I read it in one greedy gulp.

[Geoff Affleck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written true story of one woman's extraordinary life. I could not put it down. Highly recommend.