I know little about fashion, I’m not particularly interested in clothes, but I do like a good autobiography and this book hits that spot. I’m aware of Mary Portas from a couple of tv shows I watched some years ago when she tried to turn around ailing business. I found her quite intriguing and this title doesn’t disappoint. She writes with vigour and enthusiasm. I would imagine that she’s quite a powerhouse and probably somewhat intimidating for those who have to work alongside her. But she’s a visionary and prepared to take chances and this book documents her influence over an ailing Harvey Nicks. I mainly enjoyed it as an informed romp through the 1990s and its insight into world that’s alien to me. It’s fascinating and filled with anecdotes about ‘names’ that give it colour and life. I find her writing style very easy to read. She’s a sharp and candid observer. In a workd dominated by men, she’s mad3 her mark and I admire her for that. This is a lively read and one I enjoyed in a couple of sittings.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

Thank you, NetGalley and Canongate, for this advanced copy of 'I Shop, Therefore I Am' by Mary Portas, in exchange for an honest review.

While three stars is a far cry from the current batch of five star reviews, I can truly say that my three star rating is a result of letting myself embrace a world that I know nothing about and came out feeling informed and intrigued by what retail represents to Portas and what it could represent when it's come with verve, vision and vitality.

I read Mary Portas' somewhat traumatic Shop Girl when it was released, as I was quite a fan of her shows and loved the cover art. I saw some criticism that the book didn't mention much about British retail and was instead more of a family memoir. This is the yin to the other's yang. Portas has a summary chapter in which she explains the obvious grief in watching her family break off and her need to survive with no familiar background to support her.

So, leaving acting behind, Portas nonchalantly scores her first gig at Topshop, which leads a decade later to Harvey Nichols, a citadel of British department excellence - or was. Portas has to revolutionise the shop windows with her band of merry retail eccentrics. And bit by bit, Harvey Nichols becomes a key player, helped in part by Portas' growing reputation as a woman on a mission to do things her way, away from the establishment, yielding spreadsheets and the old guard insisting that Fiona from Fulham in frills is their target market.

I get a sense of the brittle nature of Portas. She's motivated but quite singular in her vision. However, like any good memoir, she sets the scene for the fear, excitement and need to ride the wave of worldwide trends. As with any memoir, it's de rigueur to mention the birth of New Labour in government, the death of Diana, the names that defined the '90s and the brands that brought about a New Wave of retail. In fashion, she talks about the advent of McQueen, how brands like MAC made inroads in supporting AIDS advocacy, which was consistently taking out retail workers and leaving those who remained scarred by the grief of those who checked out early. It's poignant with these little sections in equal parts affecting and illuminating in how tough these times were to live through.

Naturally, as a non-customer of Harvey Nicks (Ab Fab was, of course, mentioned as a huge shot of illustrious publicity for the hallowed institution), it was fascinating to see how Britain tapped into the go-go '90s./ For that reason, it's well worth a bite of nostalgia. On the other side, what if, like me, you like fashion and the need to have a brand to define you as shallow and uninspired? That's why it's a perfect three for me. At the very least, Portas' memoir invites you to see that having a vision is better than playing it safe. Her innate understanding that women in their 50s, free from parental responsibility and ready to treat themselves with the disposable wealth that comes with career success, in lieu of women in their 30s who may want 'things' but have limitations, is insightful. So, perhaps it's an inspirational book in reminding people that breaking the status quo serves as a reset for those reading to move to the next rung.

Food for thought, perhaps. At the very least, Portas is saying that department stores are curated for the customer - and I'm willing to give them my custom over the faceless internet, any day.

I'm so glad I was invited to read and review this book. I have long admired Mary Portas, in the days when she was featured on Television. This is such a fascinating story of her life behind the scenes in Fashion marketing. Her time in Harvey Nichols brought back many memories of shopping there, admiring the windows, but never realising just how much creative work went into them. It's a great portrayal of shopping in the 90s. Absolutely 5 star!
Thank you for the chance to read this book which was most enjoyable.

A fun trip back to the 90s as retail guru Mary Portas shares her memories of Harvey Nichols. When she arrived at the genteel store, fresh from success at Topshop, she found the customers were mainly grande dames who lived locally. The staff were a similar demographic and suspicious of Mary, with her humble beginnings.

Mary's innovative and creative window displays start to attract attention. How about windows filled with the wrecks of iconic American cars, painted grey? Before long they are attracting attention from Vogue and Draper's Record.

Her book is filled with anecdotes and experiences: the first Alexander McQueen show; how the hit comedy Absolutely Fabulous changed the image of "Harvey Nicks", and how she persuaded the store to stock brands like Ralph Lauren Home for the first time in the UK. Not to mention one of the store's most loyal customers, Princess Diana.

My favourite story is about Canadian makeup brand MAC. Mary was keen to get them stocked at Harvey Nichols. The iconic lipstick Russian Red was loved by the young sensation Madonna. Debi, Madonna's makeup artist, knew that with all the voguing that was going on, her Maj would need a lipstick that didn't budge.

As you would expect from "The Queen of Shops", there are pithy observations about misogyny and the old boys network that governed who ran top stores. There's also sadness about losing her parents at an early age but trying to find joy in Christmases with her siblings.

She's famous but her history is unknown and surprisingly interested a great book and she opener.

This is basically the story of her tone at Harvey Nicholes from windows at Arcadia she rises to the high ranks of Harvey's.. in what was a male dominant environment she's not only makes her mark but chsn c es so much.. there are amazing characters and stories and lessons to learn.

This is a highly recommended bio and well worth 5 stars i can't recommend it enough.

I really liked this book. Mary Portas has had a very interesting career and this book is about her time working at Harvey Nichols in the 1990's and it sounds like so much fun, and incredibly creative.
There's a lot about the popular culture of this era, the fashion people, clothes and music, and all about Absolutely Fabulous filming in the store.
I found the book quite nostalgic, and also entertaining. The writing is excellent.
An enjoyable read

Mary takes us on a wonderful journey behind the scenes.
Fabulously written in her gritty style.
I flew through this in a couple of sittings.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

I absolutely loved this. Portas is engaging and smart. She keeps things moving along swiftly, providing sharp characterisation and clear but beautiful vignettes of her life at Harvey Nichols. Each chapter is a little like one of her windows. I read this in a single sitting. I wish it had been longer.

I absolutely adored this book as someone who worked in both retail
And fashion over the years I found it highly relatable, nostalgic, and entertaining. A great read about a moment in time that is slowly being extinct.