Wildflower: A Memoir (Unabridged)
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
This “empowering and inspirational” (People) memoir of struggle and perseverance offers new ways of envisioning economic equality for everyone—from a leading activist and fashion pioneer.
“With community and sisterhood at its center, Wildflower teaches us that against all odds, we can overcome.”—Rupi Kaur, New York Times bestselling author of milk and honey
A BLOOMBERG AND HARPER’S BAZAAR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Aurora James’s life is a great American “success story”—precisely because it looks so different from others we’ve seen. Scouted as a teen model, James struggled with body image and became disenchanted by the industry’s objectification of women and commodification of race. After she’d hit rock bottom, dropping out of high school and being arrested for street racing, she was forced to reshape her life. A slew of fashion-related jobs led James to discover the power of the runway, and she started her own business in a flea market: a sustainable fashion line showcasing traditional African designs that would become an award-winning international brand.
Already a rising star and trailblazer in fashion, she posted a revolutionary idea in the wake of George Floyd’s murder that challenged retailers to commit 15 percent of their shelf space to Black businesses. This became the Fifteen Percent Pledge, one of the fastest-growing social justice nonprofits. To date, more than two dozen of the world’s most recognized retailers have taken the pledge, redirecting $14 billion in annual revenue to Black and BIPOC brands.
Wildflower is the riveting story of how Aurora James made an indelible mark on the American economic system and a rallying cry for those eager to make change.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Fashion-entrepreneur-turned-activist Aurora James bares all in this deeply moving and culturally enriching memoir. Following her parents’ separation when she was six, Aurora’s tumultuous childhood found her and her mother living in Jamaica with her abusive stepfather—an experience that taught her how to hide her pain from an early age. As she attempted to connect with her biological father’s culture, she made a fateful trip to Ghana, where, deeply inspired by the local artisans, she first got the idea to create her mega-successful fashion brand, Brother Vellies. We loved hearing James intimately narrate her experiences from the worlds of fashion, agriculture, and travel. And we were astounded to hear how she overcame the obstacles that blocked her way when markets crashed, loans were withdrawn, and the 2020 global pandemic caused a halt in the global supply chain. Wildflower is an inspiring tale about resilience and the power of community.
Customer Reviews
Brilliant. Gorgeous. Generous.
Loved Wildflower from start to end. As a creative, we cherish the success stories but we crave to learb the seedlings from the trees. Aurora shares her life but more generously, she generously shares her insights that shape Brother Vellies’ mission. A brilliant, gorgeous read that I can’t recommend enough. Thank you, Aurora. ❤️
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Slightly bias, but I think the author did her absolute best to be honest about the realities of life. That’s all we can do right?