The Fashion Designer by Nancy Moser
First time redading this author and can't wait to read more.
I am a fashion designer, published also so this book really appealed to me. So happy that the explicit details of dress making is included in with the story line.
Starts out with Annie and her friends, some have left other companies and they are going to start up their own business, Annie will deisgn the dresses that normal regular woman can wear.
There are many fall backs as things just don't go as planned. She never gives up and prays to God a lot and she knows he will send help. in his own way.
It's easy to keep the women straight and we learn about their past. Such a fascinating read, wish I had read the prior book about Annie first-will still be a good read.
So many historical events take place during this book also, valuable to the story and outcome. Love the parade-priceless! History of Lane Byrant was a big hit to read about!
Love how it all ends when things were so dismal at times. It's a wonder how they struggled or suvive, and suvive and flouish they did.
There is so much to this book: travel, adventure, mystery of robberies, romance, dress making, opinions from all angles of characters. ( )

Such a terrific read! Annie used to be a ladies’ maid, but she knew she wanted more. She ran away from that life and got a job working for a dress pattern company which evolved into a new idea; to make everyday functional dresses for the everyday woman. And to top it off the dresses will be ready made and affordable.
I couldn’t wait to see if Annie’s dress shop would be a success or a failure after all the setbacks that come her way. This book was such a delightful surprise and I highly recommend it. ( )

As The Fashion Designer by Nancy Moser starts, changes in society were great or were imminent. Women were tired of sitting at home, unable to do more than silently support their men. They wanted the right to be included in the working force, and also the right to vote. They wanted a new sense of purpose.

In this sequel to the Pattern Artist, Annie and Sean are now married, and Annie, Maude, and Edna have a big purpose-to start a fashion company for the average working woman... or so they think...

I enjoyed seeing how humans planned, but God Himself came to the rescue time after time. I liked that when one person would get discouraged, another would pick up the mantle of encourager. It was interesting to see how one person of faith and vision could influence so many others. Annie succeeded because she trusted in God and she well understood her mission. “We’re offering our customers more than just a dress,” Annie said. “We’re offering them the chance to embrace their choice to be a modern woman.”

At times the book had a “Grace Livingston Hill” feel to it, as there were so many singles starting out who rather quickly found God’s choice of partner. I would have preferred a few less main circle characters and storylines, and a little more fleshing out of the forerunners.

Bottom line: while this was not one of the fastest books I’ve read, it was great for gaining insight into the mindset of the American woman in the early 1900’s. I recommend this book. It can stand alone.

I gratefully received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way influenced my opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review. ( )

This novel apparently continues the story of Annie and her friends, as they begin their own fashion design business. They encounter numerous conflicts and obstacles, but persevere. In particular, they run into differences of opinion with their financial backers regarding what kinds of fashion designs they will be producing.

Since I did not read the first novel in the series, I was totally confused for the first few chapters. I felt as if I came into a play at Act 2, instead of the beginning. A short synopsis of the first novel , placed at the beginning of the book, would really help those readers who have not read it. Finally, the background to the novel was explained as Annie thought back over her life and how it had changed. This being said, I will go back and read the first novel in the series. I think readers should read the novels in order so they can avoid this confusion.

The background on the fashion industry was very interesting, since it is an area I know nothing about. However, my aunts, mother, and grandmother all worked as seamstresses in the early 1900's, so I found it to be fascinating.

This would be a good choice for those desiring a clean, Christian novel. I received this book on NetGalley from Barbour, in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

I love Annie and all her family members. They are very brave to quit their jobs and start their own business. The early 1900’s is such a wonderful time period in the United States. I love the extra little tidbits about Lane Bryant. I hope to read many more of Nancy Moser’s Books. I received a copy of this book from Barbour for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )