Meet Moi, the only name by which the heroine of BERGDORF BLONDES is
identified. She's young, she's professional, she's stylish and she
hangs out with those who are somebody among the somebodies in New
York society.


Moi, as so many society girls do, seems to find herself in one
predicament after another as she struggles to make monumental
decisions such as which couture outfit to wear to which function
and how to lay her hands on the latest designer bag that is in hot
demand and in short supply.


In order to fully understand the party-girl world of Moi and her
best friend, Julie Bergdorf, as in "Bergdorf heiress," you have to
pick up their lingo as you read BERGDORF BLONDES.


For instance, a "fake bake" is a tan acquired artificially at a
Portofino salon, an "ATM" is a rich boyfriend and a "PJ" is a
private jet. Additionally, "going to Brazil" is Moi's unique way of
referring to sexual activity (or the lack thereof, as the case
sometimes may be) due to the fact that she makes sure to keep that
area in shape with frequent Brazilian waxes.


Happy with her life and the special feeling that a new pair of
Chloe jeans provides, Moi is suddenly thrust into discontent as she
recognizes that girls who are engaged possess a superior glow
altogether. Thus begins a search for a "PH." Potential Husband,
duh!


Successful at this as she is at everything, Moi quickly secures
Zach Nicholson, a photographer, as her fiancé. While all is
perfect with Zach in the beginning, it doesn't take long until he's
avoiding her calls, avoiding trips to Brazil and not behaving at
all as a fiancé should. Eventually, Zach breaks their
engagement and Moi makes an unsuccessful suicide attempt with a
moderate amount of Advil.


Never one to remain down for long, Moi soon begins to make the
rounds of the social scene again when she takes a trip to France
with a married male friend, meets an "HRH," His Royal Highness, and
is back on the dating scene. After all, a girl who can text her
best friend during sex without her partner even knowing it isn't
completely without resources.


BERGDORF BLONDES is a great read with one laugh after another.
You'll feel like one of the girls as you join in the adventures of
Moi and company. However, I warn you to be careful before you dive
headfirst into this novel lest you hit your head on the bottom of
the pool of New York society. We're definitely in shallow waters
here.


London-born and Oxford-educated Plum Sykes gives us a bird's eye
view of the fictional life of the young and socially prominent in
New York society. A current resident of the Big Apple, Ms. Sykes is
also a contributing editor at Vogue where she writes about
fashion, society and Hollywood. Is it any wonder she is able to
regale us with one witty tale after another in her debut
novel?