Every Inch a Lady: My Amazing Journey from Dear Harlem to Haute Couture and Beyond

Reminiscent of style icon Iris Apfel's New York Times bestseller Accidental Icon and echoes of Andre Leon Talley's The Chiffon Trenches comes the entertaining and thoughtful long-awaited memoir from the irrepressible groundbreaking fashion powerhouse Audrey Smaltz.

There has never been, nor will there ever be anyone like Audrey Smaltz. Towering six-feet-tall (her superpower) since she was a teenager in Harlem, she has always stood out from the crowd.

Smaltz's details her colorful journey as a groundbreaking model, Wall Street broker, department store dynamo, fashion coordinator, commentator, editor, and entrepreneur. With her creative vision and business acumen earning her the support of legendary designers and brands such as Giorgio Armani, Jason Wu, Donna Karan, Victoria's Secret, Calvin Klein, Ferragamo, Michael Kors, Stephen Burrows, and Vera Wang.

Reflecting on significant people and moments in her life Smaltz's reveals how she managed to balance life, racism, and the obstacles in her marriage to former WNBA and Olympic silver medalist Gail Marquis.

Forthright and contemplative, Every Inch a Lady is a long-overdue life reckoning from a cultural powerhouse and one of the most important style figures in modern times.

Author: Audrey Smaltz,Alina Mitchell
Publisher: Amistad Press
Published: 07/14/2026
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.30w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780063452695


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2026

About the Author
Mitchell, Alina: - Alina Mitchell is a literary agent, author, instructional designer, and adjunct professor. Her genuine love and passion for empowering young people through extraordinary opportunities has led her to serve in many positions including former Associate Director of Academic Innovation & Technology, K-12 Principal, and STEM/STEAM Program Director. She holds a BA in English/ Professional Writing and a Minor in Business Management and a MA in Secondary Education/English. Her debut book, The Color of Beauty: The Life and Work of New York Fashion Icon Ophelia DeVore is a tribute to her aunt, a pioneer for minorities in the fashion industry. Her upcoming book, a memoir co-authored with the legendary fashionista and business-woman Audrey Smaltz entitled Every Inch A Lady: My Amazing Journey from Dear Harlem to Haute Couture and Beyond, will be coming to bookstores near you in Summer 2026. Some of her hobbies include writing, playing tennis, scuba diving, virtual reality, and volunteering.

Smaltz, Audrey: -

Audrey Lavinia Smaltz was born and raised in Harlem and began her career as a model and salesperson at Bloomingdale's before moving to Lane Bryant Clothing and Ebony Fashion Fair as a commentator and fashion editor. In 1977, Smaltz established Ground Crew, a backstage management group staffing fashion shows for Vera Wang, Giorgio Armani, Betsey Johnson, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Alice Roi, Michael Kors, Luca Luca, Nanette Lepore, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, and Ralph Rucci. Smaltz has also worked with corporations like Nike, Vogue, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, and J. Crew. She lives in Delaware.