From the Post:
Gotham's fashionistas now have one more thing to trouble their pretty little heads about - another new novel that might skewer the folks in the fast lane.
British import Plum Sykes has scored big with her first novel, "Bergdorf Blondes," cast in the fast-paced social and fashionista world of the Big Apple.
Miramax Books won a wild auction late yesterday afternoon, beating out four other publishers by agreeing to pay a whopping $625,000 for the North American rights.
Agent Elizabeth Sheikman at Elaine Markson Literary Agency said that the deal calls for Sykes, a contributing editor at Vogue, to land half the money up front. Another 25 percent will be delivered upon completion and another 25 percent upon publication.
Sheikman said the deal does not include film rights. The novel revolves around a young, 20-something British fashion magazine writer looking for love in all the wrong places in the Big Apple.
"It's really a love story," insists Sheikman. The advance eclipses the reported $250,000 that former Anna Wintour assistant Lauren Weinberger snagged earlier this year for her first novel, "The Devil Wears Prada" - which is also making the fashion and society set nervous.
Sykes is one of the fabulous Sykes twins, who set the young and trendy New York social scene on its ear after their arrival here in the late 1990s. Plum's twin sister, Lucy, is the senior fashion editor at Marie Claire. Baby sister Alice is the p.r. director for Lulu Guinness, a handbag and shoe designer.
And from The Guardian:
Wear it now: plum
How exciting! After that tabloid scandal this summer (brief recap: It girl Plum Sykes turns up at her sister's wedding wearing a black lace McQueen gown, which a) totally overshadows the bride's dress, b) is rumoured to have been the dress Plum would have worn if her marriage to artist Damien Loeb had gone ahead, which c) isn't the done thing at all in high society), Plum is in fashion this season! What, it's the colour that's cool, not the posh person? So Plum's Sophie Ellis Bextor jaw and Manhattan standard groomed hair isn't le dernier cri? But wearing deep, lovely plum is the best alternative to black in both evening and daywear? Never mind, Plum, carry on as you were.