> Skip to content
Play sample
  • Published: 15 July 2011
  • ISBN: 9780091938383
  • Imprint: Ebury Press
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $42.00

Through Thick and Thin

My Autobiography




The bestselling and inspirational autobiography by every woman's favourite celebrity stylist, Gok Wan

With his infectious energy and charisma, Gok Wan has an incredible gift of making 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.

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. In Through Thick and Thin, for the first time, Gok reveals all about that life changing 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. Whether he's recounting the horrors of childhood bullying or riotous anecdotes about his loving family, behind the scenes in the fashion world or TV shows, Gok's voice jumps off the page with all the honesty, wit and warmth we've come to know and love him for.

  • Published: 15 July 2011
  • ISBN: 9780091938383
  • Imprint: Ebury Press
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $42.00

About the author

Gok Wan

Gok Wan was born in 1974 to a Chinese father and English mother. He grew up on a Leicester housing estate before becoming one of Britain's leading stylists. He dominates the Channel 4 schedules with no less than three shows: How to Look Good Naked, Gok's Fashion Fix and Miss Naked Beauty, has published three bestselling style guides to go with them.

Also by Gok Wan

See all

Praise for Through Thick and Thin

A revealing and unglitzy autobiography, about being a podgy, spotty teenager in Leicester, feeling out of place and out of luck and without much hope for a better future ... honest and moving

Susan Hill, Spectator

You've got to read it ... wonderful

Jane McDonald, Loose Women

An honest book, full of graphic and therefore gripping detail ... it's also a teensy wheensy bit inspiring

City AM

Wan's book is a page-turner, told entirely in his candid, personable voice

Liverpool Daily Post

As funny as it is moving, Gok's inspirational story is a fab read *****

Closer

It's the autobiography we've all been waiting for - the incredible story of how a 20st Chinese kid from a housing estate grew up to become a fashion guru ... this intimate memoir is full of insights about bullying, fashion and celebrity. Witty, honest and inspirational! *****

Woman's Own

Told with the wit and warmth we know and love him for

Best

A confident, accessible memoir, a must-have for Gok fans

Attitude

After 20 minutes, I cannot put it down

John Harris, Guardian

Immensely readable, touching and at times funny

Sunday Express

A story of triumph over adversity

Lorraine Kelly

Wan has an extraordinary messianic appeal for many women. Though his fashion shows draw big ratings, it was his autobiographical film that got the largest audience. Writing the book himself, and reportedly with a 'devastating eye for detail' this might just turn out to be more substantial than the average celebrity autobiography.

Bookseller

Unflinchingly honest about the trials and traumas of his life, and his slow rise to fame, this is a perfect gift for any of the many women who would love Gok to take them shopping!

thebookbag.co.uk