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Writer, bon-vivant, window dresser extraordinaire, and fashion commentator Simon Doonan has worked in fashion for over 35 years.
He has written six books: Confessions of a Window Dresser, Wacky Chicks, a memoir entitled Beautiful People, and tongue-in-cheek style guides entitled Eccentric Glamour and Gay Men Don't Get Fat. His latest book, The Asylum: A Collage of Fashion Reminiscences…and Hysteria is a collection of stories from his 35 years in the fashion industry. He has written regularly for The New York Observer, The Daily Beast, and currently writes a biweekly humor column for SLATE.com.
Simon is a regular guest at The MOTH, the well-known storytelling series. His contributions have consistently become their most popular podcasts and NPR broadcasts.
A TV comedy series based on Beautiful People has aired in the UK, the US, and Australia. Simon has been a featured guest on late-night talk shows such as Chelsea Lately and The Conan O'Brien Show. He has regularly appeared on America's Next Top Model, VH1, Full Frontal Fashion, and Bravo.
Simon has won many awards for his groundbreaking and unconventional window displays, including the CFDA Award. In 2009 he was invited by President and Mrs. Obama to decorate the White House for the Holidays. In 2010 Simon was commissioned by Target to design the season's Halloween costumes.
Simon Doonan lives in New York City with his partner, the ceramicist and designer Jonathan Adler, and their Norwich terrier Liberace.
From the hallways of corporate America to the intimacy of the famous MOTH podcasts, Doonan shares his wickedly witty take on everything from style, fashion, and our celebrity-obsessed culture, to everyday topics seen through the lens of his trademark irreverant humor.
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Speech Topics
Confessions of a Window Dresser
Fashion has become the ultimate distraction. From shows like Project Runway to the never-ending coverage of what the latest celebrity is wearing, it pervades almost every facet of popular culture today. As the creative director of Barney’s, Simon Doonan is a true fashion insider who believes in fashion as a ROUTE TO of self-expression. But he also likes to call himself a "fashion contrarian," challenging strongly-held beliefs about style and encouraging fun every step of the way.
In this very visual presentation loaded with gorgeous images, Doonan offers a true inside look into the exclusive and often silly world of fashion. He explores the pop culture of the last twenty years, including the grooviest merchandise, the hottest fashion trends, and the most gossiped about glitterati. With his inimitable British sense of humor , Doonan shares his creative inspirations, insights on his collaborations with fashion designers (Prada, Comme des Garcons, Chanel, Armani, Lang, Alaia, Lacroix, Gaultier, among many others), and what it's like to work with some of our day's most notorious artists and celebrities
Wacky Chicks: Life Lessons From Fearlessly Inappropriate and Fabulously Eccentric Women
Simon Doonan has long been fascinated with unconventional women. According to Doonan, a wacky chick (w.c.) is B.R.U.N.C.H.: "belligerent, resilient, uninhibited, naughty, creative and hilarious. She's got attitude and shows it." As the saying goes, "Well-behaved women seldom make history," and Doonan celebrates the women who defy rules, shape the cultural landscape, and enrich the world all with wild originality and rule-breaking chutzpah.
Eccentric Glamour
The 21st century is shaping up to be, at least from a style point of view, the most terrifying, titillating, tumultuous, fabulously tacky, gloriously glam-obsessed, spray-tanned, deliciously deranged, and relentlessly entertaining period in the history of La Mode. Offering an antidote to the trend of what he calls "porno chic" and the botox makeovers that make so many women look the Real Housewives of Orange County, Doonan believes that developing a glamorously eccentric style involves revealing and magnifying everything which is unique and idiosyncratic about you. A wonderful blend of anecdotes and advice, Doonan’s presentation offers the women of America an alternative to the ubiquitous cheapness and tackiness which currently passes for personal style. SAY NO TO HO!....and yes to ECCENTRIC GLAMOUR!
Books
News
Simon Doonan lives in New York City with his partner, the ceramicist and designer Jonathan Adler and their Norwich terrier Liberace. About the Tony Awards.
Simon Doonan, the illustrious, boldly outfitted, witty, legendary window dresser, and the brains behind the creative direction of department store Barneys New York, talked to design editor Meg Busacca.
Simon Doonan, Barneys’ creative ambassador, shot to fame with his dazzling window displays for the luxury retailer. Last week the fashion guru and author stepped out from behind the glass and into the role of “principal” at New York’s High School of Fashion Industries (HSFI), where he shared his pearls of wisdom with fashion’s future heavyweights.
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