B Model: An Embellished Memoir

by Miranda Darling

Both humorous and shocking, this memoir tells the story of a 16-year-old model trying to make it during the 1980s, when the supermodel phenomenon reached a hysterical peak. She is one of the hundreds of B models, those boys and girls who craved a lifestyle of success and glamor, but in the meantime walked the streets in uncomfortable shoes, underdressed and hungry for work, love, and a decent meal.

Genres: Nonfiction

306 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

Miranda Darling began her career as a fashion model in Paris and London, then went on to read English and Modern Languages at Oxford University. She travelled widely to countries such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Namibia and Indonesia before returning to Australia to complete a Masters in Strategic Studies and Defence. She analysed new security threats for a think tank, where she published widely in newspapers and journals. She retains an interest in international intrigue and now writes full-time.

Reviews

[Yvette Bulhakow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight to the world of modelling as a young girl. Highly recommended.

[Lori Song · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING. I have read all the model memoirs out there on the market and this one is hands down the most raw, realistic book, albeit 'embellished'. You can kind of tell which bits are embellished (such as the part where she jumps out of a boat into the water, which I presume would be FREEZING cold) , which is good because for somebody who is looking for a memoir, not a work of fiction, this book hits the mark.

I love this book because it is unpretentious and not self righteous like many other books regarding drug use and many other points such as the behaviour of others in compromising situations.

I have read this book many times over and thank Miranda for publishing such a realistic account of an intelligent woman's experiences during the course of a modelling career.

No fluff here, it cuts through the BS and gets straight to the point.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had everything you would expect: skinny girls, fancy clothing, self starvation, loads of booze and cigarettes, playboys, and hook-ups. But despite all this 'excitement' it lacked a certain spark. It didn't catch me. I got bogged down in the middle and almost put it down. To be honest, I bet this topic would be much more interesting in the form of a documentary. Modeling is all about looks right. A documentary would allow you to see into the world, and it wouldn't take nearly as long.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Interesting characters and situations - enough to keep me reading. The main character seems a bit removed from the action - like an observer watching all these things happen to her. Maybe that's how she has to be to cope, but it just felt a bit strange. Will be interested to read the author's fiction titles.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this embellished insight into a B model's life.

[Danielle Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a brilliant insight I to a world I could never understand. Bright lights, makeup and dramas galore, yet still down to earth enough to drag you to the last page.