Confessions of a Window Dresser

by Simon Doonan

The creative director of Barneys New York shares his life, thoughts, and accomplishments as the "genius-provocateur" behind some of the world's most interesting and controversial window displays.

Genres: Fashion, Biography, Memoir, Art, Biography Memoir, Nonfiction, Design

239 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

Writer, fashionista, acclaimed window dresser and author Simon Doonan is the Creative Ambassador for Barneys New York. His books include Confessions of a Window Dresser, Soccer Style, Eccentric Glamour and Gay Men Don’t Get Fat. His memoir 'Beautiful People’ was turned into a BBC TV series starring Oscar-winners Olivia Coleman and Brenda Blethyn. Simon appears as a judge on the NBC television show Making It, co-hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman.

Reviews

[Derek Wallen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! The best book about window dressing you'll ever read.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly cerebral autobiography written by a window dresser on a subject we all take for granted. Hilariously funny, camp, honest, sometimes shocking - a flamboyant romp through a stress riddled career!

[Denise Link · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be a little irreverent and take risks with style, because why not? The heyday of Barney's was before I had occasion to ever shop Manhattan, but I wish I had experienced some of these windows. Still, a little sloggy and repetitive by the end, and the photo quality isn't high.

[Shari Gullo]

If your creativity is on life-support this is the book for you. Doonan will inspire you to "push the envelope"!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love Simon’s sense of humour and the language he uses to describe artists and celebrities. His swishiness and creativity comes through in his writing. A great read.

[Becky Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

2/3 memoir 1/3 coffee table book- this tome from 1998 rings from cover to cover with Doonan's signature humor. I first got to know him as one of the commentators on the much re-run "I Love the 80s, etc" shows on VH1 in the late 2000s. A few years ago, I read Beautiful People, his hilarious book of essays about growing up in a household of eccentrics, many of who actually were "certifiable." This book is engaging and offers a lot of insight into the importance of combing fashion, celebrity and advertising in the 80s and 90s.

[Noa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon Doonan is hysterical. He grew up with a crazy aunt living in the attic, and a mother who would randomly paint the ceiling peacock blue. Thank god he got the job at Barneys, otherwise he'd be in the loony bin.

Next, I'd like to learn bout Jonathan Adler. He must be equally wacky to live with the likes of Simon.

Also I now plan to add the word "naff" to my vocabulary.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool book about the beginnings of Simon Doonan with some great archival pictures of of the old Barney's in New York (West 17th and 7th) and Maxfields. What I learned... How to create a scandal with Helmut Lang clothes like you've never imagined. Toward the end of this book, which is rather large... I caught myself skipping the text itself and going for the picture descriptions.

[Keren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun narrative with dandy fashion-type jokes. It follows his career path from childhood London to LA to New York as a window dresser. Along with photos of his life and work this is an amped up coffee table book.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Simon Doonan's rise to Creative Director at Barneys New York and proves that some people are just lucky.

[Muffy Kroha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photos alone!!!! I wish I could work for him- Those of us who do this for a living know that we are a dying breed and he is our God.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and interesting look at how the designer of the Barney's window has been inspired through the years. I recommend this book if you have an interest in pop culture and design.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good, diverting read with some excellent advice.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun and quick read

[Liz Heit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A merchandiser's handbook.. just full of great inspiration.

[MichelleQ · Rating 3 out of 5]

amusing...typical ranting from sniffing too much paint.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there anything this man can't do? Fantastic visuals of his work done at Barney's New York of his fab window displays!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My very favorite Visual Merchandiser of course!

[Avis Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book looked promising, but failed to be interesting. The main problem is that Doonan lacks any real sense of the aesthetics of beauty, either in his writing or in his fashion sense.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exuberant, amusing account of the man behind Barney's famous, infamous, and crowd-pleasing window displays. A must-read for fans of fashion and design.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read, fun look into one man's thoughts on a not often discussed profession. Lots of terrific photos of his creative and awesome window displays. Read it in basically a day.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at his work, but not nearly as fun to read as his more autobiographical stuff. Not nearly as good as "Beautiful People", but has some great photos.

[Deirdre Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightfully faggy! Life as seen through lavendar glasses.

[Maureen Flatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious......

[Rachna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, beautiful and perfect for any fashion lover!

[Dorothy Dauchert]

Love Simon Doonan's cheeky way of writing!

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every gay guy should write a book. Even when they have nothing to say, they're droll.

[Jj]

NOTE: Denise owns this book!