Through Thick and Thin - Gok Wan

Ebury Press - RRP: $39.99

With his infectious energy and charisma, Gok Wan has an incredible gift to make women feel more confident within themselves — but it’s not until you read his own inspirational story that you find out where he got that gift from.

I had great trouble getting this book back from Annie as she is such an ardent admirer of this remarkable fashion consultant.

Gok grew up on a Leicester housing estate, with a loving family who ran a Chinese restaurant. For his parents, food meant love — and Gok was so well loved that by the time he was a teenager he weighed 21 stone. Being Asian and gay as well, Gok felt lonely and out of place. He was an easy target for bullies and suffered terribly at their hands.
In a moment of inspiration, he decided to reinvent himself with his first style makeover and a larger-than-life personality to go with it. But his next move was to lose a devastating ten stone in nine months, seriously endangering his health. In his book, for the first time, Gok reveals all about that life changing and terrifying period.

The lessons Gok learnt during this time helped him bounce back to become a stylist to the stars, every woman’s best friend and a national treasure. In this intimate memoir Gok tells his full story in his own words. Every reader will identify with Gok’s story of triumph over adversity as they join him on a journey in which strength and perseverance prevailed to find happiness and success.

Gok’s voice jumps off the page with all the honesty, wit and warmth he has come to be known and loved for.

About the author:
Gok Wan is a British fashion consultant, author and television presenter. He was born in Leicester in 1974 to a Chinese father and English mother and grew up on a housing estate. After receiving his diploma in performing arts, Gok worked as a session hair and make-up artist and soon after moved into fashion styling. He is now one of Britain’s leading stylists. He has three fashion shows with Channel 4, How to Look Good Naked, Gok’s Fashion Fix and Miss Naked Beauty, has published three bestselling style guides to go with them and is a regular presenter on The TV Book Club, More 4.

Gok has a dedicated fan base which includes over 350,000 fans on Facebook (www.facebook.com/gokwan), 120,000 followers on Twitter (@therealgokwan) and a website (http://www.gokwan.com/).