Listen, Look, Leap: A Review of Born To Be Brad, by: Brad Goreski and Mickey Rapkin

The title says it all: Listen, Look, Leap. These three words sum up the message received while reading "Born To Be Brad." The book is definitely meant for those interested in the fashion industry and is also a great source of comfort for anyone who feels different or thinks outside of the box.
Being a makeup artist, I took a special interest in this book, not knowing what I was getting myself into. I took a trip to the local library and, after browsing for a good half-hour through beauty and fashion books, I strolled by the library's floating collection. I noticed the cover immediately! Brad, practically leaping off the page, as if to say,"Pick me!" so, I picked it up, read the short exert on the back, and knew I had to check this out! I started reading that night, but life happens and I only read a chapter a day for three days. Then, out of nowhere, I decided to finish the entire book in one day.
I got sucked in, hanging on every word. "Born To Be Brad" is an easy read with a witty flow. The first three chapters took me back in time and reminded me of experiences long since forgotten. It certainly helped that we are close to the same age. Every turn of a page, I found similarities between Brad and myself.
As a child, Brad's first love was Barbie and, I too, gravitated to the more girly toys in elementary school, playing with Barbie with a girl who lived down the street from me. Then, on to high school. In the book, Brad says,"For me, high school was a study in isolation." And, like many gay men (including myself), Brad used his grunge infused style as an armor to protect himself from the torments of high school. He says,"Grunge fashion was my armor. I was Ally Sheedy on the outside, but Molly Ringwald on the inside." I was a punk/ska kid, myself! I especially loved the part about his prom wardrobe! Like myself, Brad chose to stand out on this momentous occasion. He was decked out in a "purple fur jacket, silver lamé ladies' mock turtleneck, a pair of black cigarette pants," and homemade platform shoe. To find out how he made them, you have to get the book! For prom, I rocked a Versace suit in black, white dress shirt with three buttons open, no tie, and black and white wingtip shoes.
I read on to his experiences at George Brown College (studying acting), his drug issues, working at an Italian restaurant, and his young love, still discovering more similarities, page by page. I couldn't wait to get to the chapters about his budding career as a wardrobe stylist for Rachael Zoe. I guess I was on the look out for some words of wisdom I could use in my own career, and I certainly found them. As this blog title says, "Listen, Look, Leap." Brad Goreski says,"Listen to your heart, look around and engage, and take notes. And when you're ready, make it happen." Simple, but genius. These words are in the prologue, but make more sense by the end of this fabulous read. Take "Born To Be Brad" for a spin! You won't be sorry. -D