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3/30/2010 - 12:30 PM
Kell on High Heels
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Every woman who aspires to be the queen of her own destiny will find a hands-on mentor in Kelly Cutrone’s insightful, no-bull guide to ditching the fairy tale dreams of damsels past and creating your own dynasty.
If You Have to Cry, Go Outside, and Other Things Your Mother Never Told You is a girls’ guide to conquering the world we actually live in (based on her own experience and “co-written” with Meredith Bryan). All nine chapters are laced with brutally honest realities of what it takes to become a power woman in a world that still categorizes women as inferior to men in the workplace.
Cutrone dishes advice about finding a “tribe” of equally liberated individuals who “make your heart sing” as a foundation for achieving your dreams. Other chapters cover the PR maven’s pearls of wisdom about creating your own personal brand and a how-to guide to creating your own DIY (do-it-yourself) religion. Cutrone explains the difference between a warrior and a worrier and breakdowns versus breakthroughs. Compressed to a sentence, her advice tells how to: “Fake it to make it, give good phone, respect your mama wolf and that bitch is not always a bad word.” Who better to accept advice and guidance from than a once narcotics-indulging-homeless-in-Times-Square-small town-dreamer who transformed herself into a trademark publicity guru with her own lucrative boutique, fashion and lifestyle PR firm?
Her book can inspire you to network your way to your dream job in whatever field excites you. Cutrone's journey may seem incredible, but she began it as a newcomer to the city, like many LIM College students who did not set foot on Manhattan until they came here to college. So do what “Mama-Wolf” Kelly says, and “Gather up your courage like an armful of free clothes at a McQueen sample sale." And don’t forget, if Kelly’s heartfelt account of her struggles makes you feel that you have to cry—go outside!
If you missed Kelly Cutrone’s book signing in early April, or her visit to LIM College last fall, join the Kell On Earth (Bravo’s hit reality show about Cutrone and her People’s Revolution team) fan club page on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.
-Lola Mendez
Some discussions about Kelly Cutrone suggested by Dr. Robert Clark, Director of the Writing Center:
A New York Observer piece about Cutrone that focuses on her mentorship of friends, family and a variety of other persons
A New York Times comparison of Cutrone to Rachel Zoe, and discussion of the celebrity food chain: celebrities, celebrity support companies (PR), talent agencies, and the young assistants to the PR assistants, who create the real drama on apprentice reality shows
Reviews of If You Have to Cry read more like press releases than evaluations. They are overwhelmingly favorable. This LA FashionWeek piece takes a different angle and focuses on Cutrone’s spirituality
Categories: Media, Popular Culture, Professional Life
26 comments
4/23/2010 - 11:19 PM by Lola Mendez
Thank you for all the wonderful feed back. I hope you all enjoy the book and take the initiative to start your own legacy...
4/25/2010 - 12:15 AM by Alexandria
"The difference between a warrior and a worrier and breakdowns versus breakthroughs..." This sentence makes me want to read this book. Kelly is such a brutally honest woman and like the many comments before me stated this is what girls wanting to enter the fashion industry need to hear. It's not all about the glitz and glamour, hard work goes behind everything done in the fashion industry. This looks like a great book! Can't wait to read it.
4/10/2010 - 6:19 AM by Georgia Stewart
Hi. I totally loved the book and was wondering how can I get her to sign my book ? I am in Cleveland, Ohio. It is a great book to reckon with.
4/11/2010 - 9:58 PM by Chris T.
Woah, woah, and woah. This is probably the best thing I've ever read. As you drift gracefully between whit, panache and skilled literary analysis, the reader is left showered with imagery. Pure gold. And that's coming from a brit, so it must be good! (Lols, you can pay me later.)
4/9/2010 - 10:59 AM by Monika Szala
I really need to read Kelly's book!!! It's so refreshing to have someone write about the industry in an honest, straight forward way that wakes you up. It's not all about fashion and being fabulous. It's hard, exhausting, and unfair at times and I'm glad Kelly decided to tell it how it is. Lola, great job at explaining the book. Kelly would be proud ;)
4/8/2010 - 1:01 PM by Marilyn Kenton
What an interesting article, and so well written. I look forward to reading more by Lola Mendez and can't wait to buy the book..
3/30/2010 - 12:55 PM by Amanda
I am going to buy her BOOK!!!!! such interesting information!
3/30/2010 - 1:02 PM by Allie Baughman
It's important in these times in fashion for there to be a REAL honest look at what it's like. So many people think that it's just all for show and easy...and it's NOT. I'm glad she came out with a book telling the raw, real, brutally honest view on becoming a power woman in fashion.
3/30/2010 - 1:08 PM by Kirsten
Great post :o) Kelly is so inspiring, I'll def. be buying her book!
4/6/2010 - 9:02 PM by Nicole F
I've been wanting to read this book and your summary just made this a priority! Sounds really inspirational for any woman!
4/6/2010 - 9:03 PM by Cassandra Reza
Kelly Cutrone is an absolute inspiration. Her book shows you how to dream your own dreams and dream big. It is def a tear jerker for any woman with aspirations. Love this Lola, you did Kelly proud!
4/6/2010 - 9:06 PM by Lacey Miller
Can't wait to read it and be inspired by Kelly's brutally honest insight. Lola, great job summarizing!
4/6/2010 - 9:13 PM by Alex
It was awesome getting to work with her, and even tho it was for a night, I still learned so much. After reading this, I cannot wait to read the book...as a matter of fact I might just go buy it right now. Thanks so much for the inspiration lola.xx
4/6/2010 - 9:23 PM by Jenna Igneri
I need to read this book! Kelly Cutrone such an inspiring woman, I adore her.
4/6/2010 - 9:25 PM by Jovana Mirabile
I am a huge fan of Kelly and am very excited to read the book! I love the fact that like many of us, Kelly had to work her way up from the bottom. I think this book will be a great inspiration to those of us who want to succeed in the industry. Thanks for the preview Lola!
4/6/2010 - 9:25 PM
Wow...would have never thought she was homeless ever! Sounds pretty awesome, might have to check this book out and see what she's all about.
4/6/2010 - 9:30 PM by Kaitlin
I am totally going to go out and get the book and read it now. It sounds really interesting! I had no idea that is what the book was about! Thanks!!
4/6/2010 - 9:45 PM by Bethany Rubin
I've heard good things about this book! Everything Kelly says on her show is so true, she really knows what she's talking about. This book seems like a perfect guide for LIM students.
4/6/2010 - 9:47 PM by Nolan B.
Kelly is great! I was fortunate enough to meet her here in Toronto while she was promoting her book! The book is jam packed with real life experiences that every fashion student or person in fashion needs to know!
4/6/2010 - 4:58 PM by Erin
Great job! Makes me want to read the book soon!
4/6/2010 - 10:07 PM by Amanda M.
A description of Kelly Cutrone in a nutshell and it could not have been better written. This article makes me want to read her book for a second time! Loved the piece.
4/6/2010 - 10:13 PM by Danny Goldstein
My oh my! I think it's safe to say we have something special on our hands here. Lola, not only are you an impeccable writer, but you are a wonderful person. This is a phenomenal post on a book that is indeed life-changing...and I bet Kelly is very proud of her #1 Peoples Rev intern. I know I am ;) In the words of Pope Cutrone: "We cannot change the world unless we change ourselves."
4/6/2010 - 10:17 PM by Danica D.
I read this book, and I loved it! Kelly's honesty and knowledge really inspired me and showed me a whole other side to this industry. Great job Lola!
4/7/2010 - 4:30 PM by J
I still have trouble believing anything I hear about her but she sounds pretty amazing and inspiring, just like you, Lola Méndez.
3/30/2010 - 1:25 PM by Jenna Davis
I recently read "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside, and Other Things Your Mother Never Told You," and it truely was a huge inspiration for me to follow my dreams. Lola, you summarized this awesome book perfectly!
3/30/2010 - 1:26 PM by Nikki M.
Sounds like a great book, can't wait to read it! I love Kelly's honesty on her show and I imagine her book is full of great advice and tips. Thanks for the summary!