Books: Gold Standard: How to Rock the World and Run an Empire
Exclusive interview with author Kym Gold and a review of her book and philosophy on living well
Rating: 4 Stars
By Gabrielle Pantera
“I had always wanted to write a book,” says Gold Standard author Kym Gold. “Not only to set the record straight regarding my involvement as co-founder of True Religion Brand Jeans, but also to use my vast experience of thirty years in the fashion industry to pass along advice to younger future designers on the business side of the fashion industry. Hopefully, saving them time and money in their own pursuits.”
True Religion Brand Jeans sells premium denim at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks 5th Ave, and 900 branded boutiques in 50 countries. Priced at $250 and up, the jeans are handmade in America. Founded in 2002 by Gold and her then-husband Jeff Lubell, True Religion was purchased by Tower Brook Capital Partners in 2013 for nearly $1 billion.
Kym Gold shares her life lessons, both professionally and personally in the book. She was married to Survivor producer Mark Burnett before he struck it big in TV. Gold met Burnett when she worked as a hostess at a restaurant. Gold started a t-shirt company and Burnett worked for her. The two married and started working for Gold’s stepfather. Gold found out that Burnett was having an affair with his future wife Dianne Valentine and ended their marriage. She then married Lubell. They produced three sons and the two co-foundered True Religion Jeans. She was blindsided when her marriage to Lubell ended and she was pushed out of her company on the same day. Gold’s story about the growth of True Religion and her personal journey are lessons that will inspire you.
“Although it is cathartic to write your memoir, it is also painful putting those stories into words and having to relive them all over again,” says Gold. Her mantra, “I’m looking for a yes, not looking for a no,” is what led her to launch True Religion Brand Jeans.
Gold’s advice when launching a business is to consider who, what and how. “Who am I selling to?” says Gold. “What am I selling? How do I sell it? If you start with these three basic principles, you will simplify and clarify your business venture from the start. Have a strong mission statement and stick to it. Know your product well and keep that product narrow and deep. Less is more in the beginning.”
Gold is a great believer in making lists. “It is a constant goal to get everything done on my short term daily lists,” says Gold. “I can usually do this without problem. For long term lists with business and production, I have a good strong support team who help tremendously. I am a very detail-oriented person and the driving force who will double check the follow through on everything.”
Gold is a consultant for several branded companies and working on deals for designing new lines for celebrities through her agent at APA. With the help of publicist Claire McKinney, Gold is about to start a book tour.
“I will be at Book Soup on September 12th, and we are working on a speaking event with the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles for the fall,” says Gold. “I am also in development with a network for the TV movie based on the book. I am especially thankful for all the people in my life who have helped me to achieve these goals through their support and generosity. But most importantly my biggest accomplishment, and always will be, are my three children, Jake, Ryan and Dylan.”
Gold was born in Hollywood. She lives in Malibu.
Gold Standard: How to Rock the World and Run an Empire by Kym Gold.Hardcover: 208 pages, Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing (September 1, 2015), Language: English. ISBN-13: 978-1634501286 $24.99
