On Sunday 3rd May, on the eve of the Met Gala, BRICKS Book Club turns its attention to one of fashion’s most formidable storytellers.
Our next BRICKS Virtual Book Club pick is The Chiffon Trenches, the razor-sharp, deeply personal memoir by legendary editor André Leon Talley.
Published in 2020, Talley’s autobiography charts his journey from the segregated American South to the gilded upper echelons of fashion media, most famously at Vogue under Anna Wintour. With candour and precision, he reflects on race, exclusion, ambition, loyalty and betrayal within an industry built on image. It is both a love letter to fashion and a clear-eyed account of its hierarchies, hypocrisies and power structures.
From the salons of Karl Lagerfeld to the spectacle of the Met Gala, Talley positions himself inside the rooms where fashion history was made, while interrogating what it costs to remain there.
We’ll be meeting on Sunday 3rd May, the evening before this year’s Met Gala, at 7pm BST (2pm ET) for our virtual Zoom discussion.
For this special pre-Met edition, we’re joined by two brilliant critics: Chani Ra aka The Fashion Nap, (Opens in a new window) and Anastasia Vartanian aka FatAnnaWintour (Opens in a new window), who will bring their perspectives on Talley’s legacy, fashion criticism, and the evolving politics of the industry today.
Plus, there will be space for open discussion with fellow emerging creatives, whether you’ve highlighted every page or are simply curious about Talley’s impact.
Tickets are available to purchase for £5 on Eventbrite (Opens in a new window), and BRICKS Learner Platform members can attend for free by using the discount code available via Steady. Not yet a member? Sign up for your 30-day free trial to join.
To chat as you read, be sure to join our Book Club WhatsApp group by filling in this form (Opens in a new window). We’ll be sharing prompts, favourite quotes and Met Gala predictions in the run-up to the call.
If you are a paid member, please scroll to the end of this email to access your free ticket discount code.
FAQs
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
BRICKS Book Club now runs bi-monthly, giving members extended time to read and reflect on each title. We’ve also moved our discussion space from Discord to a WhatsApp group chat (Opens in a new window), where conversations unfold more organically in the lead-up to the meeting.
WHEN IS OUR NEXT MEETING?
Sunday 3rd May at 7pm BST (2pm ET).
WHERE IS IT?
This event will take place via a Zoom webinar. You’ll receive the Zoom link via email once you register.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Tickets are £5 via Eventbrite (Opens in a new window).
BRICKS Learner Platform members can attend for free by applying the discount code available via Steady. Please note: members must still register through Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link.
WHAT IS THIS MONTH’S BOOK?
The Chiffon Trenches by André Leon Talley.
WHERE CAN I GET THE BOOK?
If you’re looking to purchase a physical copy, we recommend supporting independent bookshops. Our shared Master Doc (Opens in a new window) contains regularly updated recommendations from the community. If you have one to add, drop it in the WhatsApp chat.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE CLUB MEETING?
This is not an academic seminar. You don’t need to arrive armed with notes — or even finish the book. Come to listen, reflect, question, contribute, or simply absorb. Our aim is to create an open, generous space for creative conversation.
UNDERSTANDING ZOOM WEBINARS
The discussion will be hosted in webinar format and moderated by our team. Attendee microphones and cameras will be off by default, but you can raise your hand if you’d like to speak. You can also participate via the chat throughout.
Date
February 27, 2026
