I hate to say this but I didn't finish this book. I was trying to get out of a reading slump but this wasn't my answer, for whatever reason. Will try to go back to it later.

I did enjoy reading this book...but I didn't love it unfortunately. I love the world of creating fashion, so what I enjoyed the most was the process that the two leads went into to create their collections. But I fear that may be the only thing I really liked. Awkwardly, I think I disliked both characters... Though I think both characters were complex and had a lot going on, and their outward personas and inner personas were layered, and I felt their roller-coaster emotions and determination. But, I just found them a wee bit irritating? Mainly John to be honest. I found it hard to really get on board with his journey, and care about it, when the poor choices he makes seemingly have no thought or reasoning behind them (namely, cheating on his girlfriend). And I found both characters to be so immensely self-absorbed (even though I could understand both character's determination to achieve more than they believe they deserve, or they believe others expect of them) that I had a hard time truly engaging with their journeys and rooting for them to succeed.

Overall, I did fly through this, and I wanted to know what was going to happen, and I did think the ending felt right. It is something I would recommend to people, because the fashion competition was refreshing and fun!

With a blurb advertising this book as a “Project Runway” meets “I’ll Give You The Sun”, The Fashion Committee definitely had my attention from the beginning. Unfortunately, with these kind of expectations right from the start, I felt a bit disappointed with what this book delivered. I had a lot of fun reading it, that’s for sure, but I think I expected maybe too much from it. I‘ll Give You The Sun is, after all, one of my favorite books of all times.

A STORY ABOUT A PASSION FOR FASHION


The Fashion Committee is a story about Charlie Dean, a teenager living and breathing fashion every single second. John Thomas-Smith, on the contrary, does not care at all about it, yet he’ll find himself against her in a fashion competition, in order to win a scholarship to a very private, very hyped and very good private art high school. This synopsis made me eager to get started, for so many reasons, but most of it all, because it seemed to highlight before anything else, passion. Goals. Dreams of both of these teenagers matching up against reality. If I’m being honest, you know I am reading a lot of contemporary stories, but it was so, so refreshing to actually read a contemporary that focused on this passion. Obviously, there were dramas, love, fights and a whole lot of other dramas aside from this fashion competition, but this was the heart of the book, and boy, it felt GOOD to actually tackle this way such a subject with no big love story or anything overshadowing it.

A LACK OF CONNECTION TO THE CHARACTERS

Unfortunately, I think what made this book go from very good to good, were the characters’ voices. Told from two different point of views, the story takes us alternatively from Charlie’s life and story to John’s; and both of their narrative felt, for me, a bit hard to get into.
If both are told from a witty, fun and sometimes a bit heart-wrenching point of view, Charlie’s narrative kind of had me confused and annoyed more than once because of the many French words constantly appearing here and there because well, that’s how fashion people talk, or at least that’s what she wanted to let us know this way. If you don’t know this, I am French so the words did not slow down my reading or made me stop to understand what she was saying, but still, I found that it kind of altered the reading experience and cut the reading rhythm. If, for sure, it made Charlie’s voice quite unique, I was something that quite bothered me. I found myself more drawn to John’s part of the story and his struggles – even if I have to admit that I did not agree on his behaviour many of the times -, but unfortunately, both characters kind of failed to make me connect with them so much. I cared about what happened to them but I did not felt as invested as I found have liked in their destiny.
If there is something I appreciated, though, it’s how they both evolved through the story. At the beginning, both characters appear to be very judgmental and set in their ways, but as the competition goes on, they both get more open-minded and find out that there is more to the world and to the people around them than what they first see. This definitely was something I appreciated a lot.

MORE THAN A LIGHT CONTEMPORARY

Another positive point in this story is how it’s not, at all, what it appears to be. I already had labeled it a “light” contemporary, given the synopsis, but I had it all wrong. Was it fun to read? Yes, a lot. But it also dealt with interesting, deeper issues, especially with Charlie’s dad and his addiction struggles, violence, growing up too fast ; but also on John’s side, on doing what’s right, notions of right and wrong, loving and losing. I really appreciated how the author choose to shine a light on this as well, making this book a bit more than just a light story.

OVERALL

The Fashion Committee definitely is a book driven by the characters’ passion, one that keeps them alive, one that makes them go on and on, even do crazy things at times. If I really appreciated this focus, unfortunately it won’t be a memorable book for me. Still, if you’re looking for a fun, quick and certainly passionate story, you might want to try out this one.

I didn’t expect anything much for The Fashion Committee. But what can I say? J’adore! Because a story that I once thought will revolve around fashion and clothes are so much more than that. I got that impression because of the cover. I don’t think it fits the story no matter how cute it is. Anyway, it deals with deeper issues that some teens are going through. It is not your usual YA book so don’t expect any romance and cutesy scenario, it is not one of those. But that just adds to the appeal of the story. It is brave to deal with issues such as having a drug addict parents, domestic violence and even poverty.

It is an awesome read and I will sure be checking out other Susan Juby books. The characters are fun, and so is the plot. It is also well-written and unexpected in a lot of ways that you don’t mind if it’s not what you’ve imagined. An empowering and feel-good read that is perfect for people who loves fashion. Contemporary YA readers will surely enjoy it, as well as relate to it.

Rating: 3/5
The first thing I want to say about this book is that it was incredibly real. No details spared. Charlie did not hold back in explaining what it's like to having a drug addict as a father and it makes it all feel very close. Like one of your friends casually mentioning that she's given up on trying to keep her dad clean and put it into his own hands entirely.
I loved Charlie. She was strong, passionate, kind, patient and friendly. She tried her best to do what was right and be good to the people around her at the same time. She wanted to achieve her goals but not hurt anyone in the process. I also love her bond with Mischa that develops and the way she deals with Mischa's abusive boyfriend. Charlie is an absolute star, one of my favourite characters ever.
I tried to like John. I really did. But as the book progressed I just liked him less and less. Even though his cause was nobel, he just did everything wrong in trying to achieve it and took everything around him for granted.
Really the only negative thing I have to say about this book is that the middle part seemed to drag on for quite some time. I found myself not really feeling like reading it because nothing was really happening. Fortunately, it sped up for the last third of the book and that part was very good.
When Charlie was speaking, she used a lot of complicated fashion terms, which had me annoyed at first but now I realise that this does nicely contrast her passion and knowledge about fashion, as opposed to John, who knows next to nothing.
Another small note: I loved Jo and Charlie and I wish their dynamic had been given more attention. It seemed a bit rushed like this and I would've loved to see her relationships as well fleshed out as John's, as his relationships with Booker and Barbra were very nicely described throughout the whole book. Charlie did however get a lot of attention in when it came to her relationship with her dad and Mischa, which was very nice.

Overall, I liked this book, but especially for the themes and topics it covered like drug abuse and passion for hobbies. This book is coming out tomorrow (!!) and I would recommend everyone read it, as it I think it can give us all a different perspective on drug addiction.

Great story.I love the idea and generally the plot in this one ,of was brilliant!The characters lovable and the story it was fun!I would love to read more from this author!

Charlie Dean is a fashion obsessed teen as taught by her mum when she was younger but now, with the opportunity to win a scholarship to a prestigious private art school which would be Charlie's dream come true!

However, as always there's competition in the form of John, a sculptor who's going against Charlie for the place too.

The book is told through diary entries made by both as per the rules of thew competition, they have to keep a record of their lives, design ideas etc until the big final fashion show.

The book was light hearted and fun, but also both Charlie and John had tough issues in their lives to deal with, drug addict or imprisoned parents for example. They also used disadvantaged models to make them feel special and have fun through tough life times.

If you loved Sophia Bennett's Threads series, this is for you!

Thank you to the publishers for allowing me a copy to review!

Cute story, but I felt like it was more gimmicky/dramatic in places than it needed to be.