disrupting fashion and tech

Zoe Zeng has been working in fashion for years, but she feels like she’s not getting anywhere. As a writer for Chic magazine, she has an insider’s view of fashion and gets to go to lots of fun events and launches. She gets invited to parties and works on photo shoots and keeps up with all the latest trends with her two best friends from the magazine. It’s a dream come true for her.

But it’s only part of her dream.

While she loves being a part of haute couture, Zoe understands that the fashion industry has issues. It’s too centered on women of a certain size and style, and anyone who doesn’t fall into that mold is pushed to the side. Zoe tries to offer up a different perspective on her articles, but her editor is not interested in any opinion other than her own. And she’s old-school. So Zoe’s passion for inclusion gets pushed aside as she churns out more clickbait for her editor.

And then she meets Bill Lawrence, and everything changes. Bill is the CEO of a fashion startup in Silicon Valley called FitPick, and he thinks Zoe might be the perfect person to help them out. The app lets users upload photos of themselves in outfit ideas, and others on the app can vote which one they like best. Zoe likes the app and loves how FitPick is trying to be inclusive for all users, letting anyone upload photos and vote. And when Zoe’s opinion at the magazine is ignored one more time, she decides to take Bill up on his offer and moves across the country.

Even though she knows nothing about tech or startups, Zoe asks questions of the small team at FitPick. They train her on the technical side, and she comes up with ideas on how to draw in users and writes the copy that takes Bill’s vision for the app and makes it accessible for users and potential funders. They are gearing up for another meeting with a venture capitalist whose interest is already piqued by the app.

Zoe comes up with a marketing idea for the app, to bring in influencers from different areas of fashion, so their followers can vote on their outfit ideas and offer opinions on new fashions they are designing. And when that idea is successful, grabbing the attention of several heavy-hitters in the tech world, Zoe starts to feel like less of an imposter and more of an insider. But the tech world is cutthroat. Does Zoe have what it takes to be successful in the valley, or will she be packing up her designer clothes and heading back to New York?

Valley Verified is an intriguing novel about what it takes to be successful in fashion and in technology. It takes these two industries and compares and contrasts the ways they influence our lives. It’s about how much it takes to disrupt the traditional patriarchy and create inclusive places for everyone to have a voice. And how to do that in style.

I so enjoyed reading Valley Verified. I loved Zoe and wanted to keep cheering for her, during her ups and her downs. She’s smart and resourceful, and she brought color and life to this story. This is a fun one for anyone who is interested in fashion or startups, or for anyone who is craving a story starring a strong woman wanting to disrupt the old boys’ club.

Egalleys for Valley Verified were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks.