Last year Alexa Chung added author to one of those multi-hyphenate careers that also includes model, presenter, designer and DJ, with the launch of It a kind of style-scrapbook-meets-journal filled with drawings, photographs and musings on life, love and how to decide what to wear in the morning.
Now, cards on the table, I’m an Alexa Chung fan.
I covet her entire wardrobe, a seemingly effortless mash-up of tomboy (denim shorts, Converse), classic (Breton stripes, Barbour jackets, cardigans), girly (pretty dresses) and rock star groupie (leather jackets, leopard print coats).
Fellow followers of her Twitter and Instagram feeds will know that she’s witty and charmingly self-deprecating.
And, despite her (self-confessed) habit of dating boys in bands, she’s clearly a girl’s girl who, I imagine, would be enormous fun on a night out.
Reviews of the book have been mixed, with people either loving or hating it. One of the biggest criticisms is that you can read it in about half an hour. While that’s true it’s missing the point of this kind of book, which is more a Tumblr-made-print than an autobiography.
My favourite bits are the ones that show even girls as It as Alexa are just like the rest of us.
She’s bang on and open (to a point) about heartbreak (“Scrolling through photos [on Instagram] of girls your ex may or may not be shagging won’t help you.”).
When it comes to her wardrobe she buys the same things over and over again (“I have a weird mental block every time I go shopping that means I forget what I already own the moment I cross the threshold into the store.”).
She favours proper pants. (“I’d rather go commando than wedge myself into a g-string.”).
And reassuringly, to me anyway, even someone as photogenic as Alexa doesn’t nail selfies in one take (“You can keep trying as many times as you like, no one will know, unless they scroll through your photos later in the pub and you’ve forgotten to delete the rejects.”).
Personally I like the dip-in-dip-out scrapbook feel and I enjoyed what was there, but for 17 quid I would have liked a bit more. Specifically more photographs showcasing Alexa’s individual style and, here and there, a bit more detail wouldn’t have gone amiss. Still, as a fan, I enjoyed taking a glimpse into her world and it makes a pretty addition to the stack of books on my bedside table. (It’s currently £11.55 on Amazon, bargain hunters!).
If you’re a fellow fan with a penchant for visually-pleasing coffee table books you’ll enjoy It too. If you’re not, you probably won’t. But if you’re not, I’m not sure why you’d buy It anyway.
Have you read It? Love It? Hate It? Let us know.
Oooooo I had been eyeing this book up all over Christmas, every time I went into Urban Outfitters there it was, that eye staring me in the face!!
Somehow I resisted buying it, but at that bargainous Amazon price, I may have to cave in and get it!
Hi Rebecca,
It did seem to be everywhere over Christmas, didn’t it? Really hope you enjoy it, as I said it’s not a long read, but it is very pretty!
Miranda x
I loved reading through this book and never expected a novel from Alexa, it never seemed her style!! What I love is her honest, frank views that make me laugh, we all know we have been there – “Scrolling through photos [on Instagram] of girls your ex may or may not be shagging won’t help you.”
Love the blog already
Helen x
Thanks Helen. Loved Alexa’s funny, frank views too! x
I loved it, although I do have a bit of a girl crush on her!