Book description
One of Vogue's most anticipated books of 2023.A quintessentially American fashion narrative about the rise and fall of the first lifestyle brand, J.Crew, and what the company's fate means for the shifting landscape of the retail industry.Once upon a time, a no-frills J.Crew rollneck sweater held an almost mystical power--or at least it felt that way. The story of J.Crew is the story of the original "lifestyle brand," whose evolution charts a sea change in the way we dress, the way we shop, and who we aspire to be over the past four decades--all told through iconic clothes and the most riveting characters imaginable.In The Kingdom of Prep, seasoned fashion journalist Maggie Bullock tells J.Crew's epic story for the first time, bringing to life the deliciously idiosyncratic people who built a beloved brand, unpacking the complex legacy of prep--a subculture born on the 1920s campuses of the Ivy League--and how one brand rose to epitomize "American" style in two very different golden eras, and also eventually embodied the "retail apocalypse" that rocked the global fashion industry and left hollowed-out malls across the country.In a juicy business narrative rich with humor and insight, Bullock combines the colorful characters of The Devil Wears Prada, the business insight of Deluxe, and the nostalgia factor of True Prep, to chart J.Crew's origin story, its Obama-era heyday, and its brush-with-death decline through the stories of the mercurial characters who helmed the company. There is founder Arthur Cinader, who set out to sell the Ralph Lauren look for half the price, and his daughter Emily, who turned J.Crew into a new campus uniform, and then a temple to '90s minimalism. Then came ex-Gap CEO Mickey Drexler--the most renowned (and controversial) retailer of his generation--who took J.Crew to a never-before-seen peak, only to contribute to its financial disaster, and the brilliant designer Jenna Lyons, who rose from the anonymous ranks of a catalogue company to become a star in her own right, but burned so bright she left J.Crew in her shadow.Through extensive interviews with more than 100 J.Crew insiders and top industry experts, Bullock crafts an impossible-to-put-down, neon-glitter-sprinkled tale that traces the trajectory of American style, invites us into the inner sanctum of fashion's most bold-faced names, and weaves together the threads of style, finance, and culture like no other brand's story in our lifetime.
Scratch
π± My pocket-sized library β this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! ππ± Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Star Scratch
ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
Romance Princess
π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Master Jetson
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories β this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. π±π§
The Belgian
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment.
Night Train
ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app! What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Sir Shove
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset.
Dez Bonbon
πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Mrs. Voltage
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Cosmo
Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
BlackExcalibur
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Snapple Whistler
π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
StarStrider
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers.
Low Voltage
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel.
Red Delicious
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
LifeRobber
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
Instant Star
The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Mother Hen
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Dance Cannon
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Mud Eye
This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience