Every Summer After Author Carley Fortune Loves a Book-Inspired Fashion Theme
Our take
Carley Fortune’s penchant for weaving fashion inspiration directly into her storytelling is a delightful and increasingly relevant trend in the romance genre. Her latest theme, "lake girl in the city," building on previous book-inspired aesthetics, demonstrates a savvy understanding of how to connect with readers beyond the page. It’s a strategy that resonates particularly well given the current cultural landscape where fashion and literature, often distinct realms, are merging in compelling ways. This isn’t simply about suggesting a character's style; it’s about building a visual world around the narrative, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere Fortune creates. The deliberate curation of a mood, extending beyond plot and character, speaks to a more holistic and experiential engagement with storytelling, echoing the desire for escapism and aesthetic pleasure that permeates contemporary culture. The related rise of "that girl" aesthetics, and the popularity of articles like Wearing These Shoes With Long, Baggy Shorts Makes Them 10 Times More Flattering, underscores this desire – readers are actively seeking visual cues and aspirational styles to complement their reading experience.
Fortune's approach taps into the power of visual storytelling and leverages the existing fashion-forward mindset of her readership. The "lake girl in the city" concept, specifically, evokes a sense of effortless chic, combining the relaxed, natural vibe of lakeside living with the sophistication of urban style. This duality is instantly relatable and visually appealing, providing fertile ground for fashion inspiration. It’s a clever way to create a cohesive brand identity for her books, making them instantly recognizable and fostering a sense of community among her fans. Furthermore, the integration of fashion isn’t a superficial add-on; it's deeply intertwined with the characters and their journeys. The clothing choices reflect their personalities, their evolving relationships, and the environments they inhabit, adding another layer of depth to the narrative. Consider, too, the growing influence of color trends; anticipating and incorporating upcoming styles, as illustrated in Not Burgundy, Not Brown—Fall’s Next It Shoe Color Trend Is Already Here, demonstrates a keen awareness of the broader fashion conversation.
The broader significance of this trend extends beyond individual authors. It highlights a shift in how readers engage with storytelling, demanding a more immersive and multi-sensory experience. Publishers are increasingly recognizing the potential of leveraging visual elements to market books and build brand loyalty. We’re seeing a rise in book-inspired merchandise, social media campaigns centered around character aesthetics, and even collaborations with fashion brands – all indicative of a desire to extend the literary experience beyond the printed page. This approach also acknowledges the power of social media in shaping reader preferences. The visual nature of platforms like Instagram and Pinterest allows authors to directly engage with their audience, showcasing the book’s aesthetic and encouraging readers to share their own interpretations. The discussion around skincare and beauty, exemplified by articles like This Iconic Korean Skincare Product Just Got a Matching Eye Serum—I Rate It 10/10, further reinforces this connection – readers are actively seeking products and routines that align with the aesthetic of their favorite stories.
Ultimately, Carley Fortune’s book-inspired fashion themes represent a smart and engaging way to bridge the gap between literature and lifestyle. It's a testament to the evolving relationship between readers and the stories they love, and a harbinger of even more immersive and visually driven literary experiences to come. As the lines between storytelling, fashion, and social media continue to blur, will we see authors increasingly collaborating with fashion designers and influencers to create fully realized aesthetic worlds around their books, further solidifying the literary landscape as a source of both narrative and style inspiration?
Carley Fortune has a lot to celebrate. Last month, she released her fifth romance novel, Our Perfect Storm, before having not one, not two but three books (Every Summer After, One Golden Summer, and Our Perfect Storm) hit the New York Times best seller list at the same time—a first for the Canadian author. She also just wrapped up a nationwide press tour for Every Year After, the Amazon Prime Video series adaptation of her breakout summer read, which included stops at The Kelly Clarkson Show, Empire State Building, and Tribeca Film Festival.
Whether she's penning a new page-turner or meticulously planning her latest press tour looks, Fortune is all about creating an experience for her fans. For the latter, that means crafting a fashion theme that cheekily nods to the book she's promoting and incorporating a few Easter eggs for good measure. As if we needed another reason to be a fan of Fortune.
For the Every Year After press tour, Fortune enlisted the help of stylist Amber Watkins to create a summer-inspired wardrobe that could just as easily suit a stylish weekend at Barry's Bay. Here, she breaks it down, including the Canadian brands she loves. Plus, she shares the title on her summer reading list.
You put a lot of thought into your press tour looks. You just wrapped your book tour for your latest book, Our Perfect Storm, which had its own fashion theme. How soon did you begin outfit planning, and what does that process look like? Do you work with a stylist or source yourself?
I think of my book-tour events like a show. I want to give the audience an incredible experience, and fashion is an important part of that. I worked with a stylist, Amber Watkins, to craft a wardrobe that pulled from Our Perfect Storm's moody purple cover. We started discussing the vibe and palette about a month before my tour started, and then Amber created a mood board to make sure we were on the same page before she began pulling clothes.
This month is all about Every Year After. How did you want to approach your looks for this press tour? Is there a theme or style that connects all of your looks?
The vibe was "cottage but make it fashion"—cotton dresses, denim, a little bit of patchwork—all in tones of blue and cream. We also wanted a big wow moment for the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of the show, and I wanted to wear a Canadian designer. We borrowed the most incredible hand-beaded gown from Anmol Handa, a rising star who had just shown the look at Fashion Art Toronto.
If you could encapsulate your Every Year After press looks into three words, what would they be?
Lake girl in the city. Sorry, that's five words.
For eagle-eyed fans, are there any Every Year After Easter eggs in your outfits?
Yes! There's a piece of jewelry that my husband had made for me, which I wore for almost every appearance.
How would you say these looks are an extension of your everyday style?
I'm a sucker for a great shoe, and we found the most spectacular shoes. We mixed in Canadian labels that I love, like Smythe and Hilary MacMillan, and took casual pieces, like a cotton shorts-and-camisole set, and then paired them with something more polished—a gorgeous plaid Smythe blazer and exquisite white Aquazzura heels, for example. That's very much my approach to dressing.
How was it seeing the world of Barry's Bay and these characters you created for Every Summer After come to life on-screen?
It was incredible. I grew up on the lake in Barry's Bay, and the book is very personal to me. I didn't intend on publishing it when I wrote it in 2020. It was a creative project I did for myself. So to be here just six years later with a TV show based on that novel is truly extraordinary.
Was there a moment from the book you were particularly excited to see play out in the show?
There's a scene I call the "You came home" scene, where Percy and Sam see each other for the first time as adults. It's the first big emotional wallop of the book and a fan-favorite moment. It's re-created beautifully in the show.
You are known as the queen of the summer romance. What other reads or shows are on your radar this summer?
I'm currently reading Whistler by Ann Patchett and listening to the audiobook for Beartown by Fredrik Backman. I was just in Banff for the World Media Festival and the Rockie Awards. The Quebec TV series Empathie walked home with a ton of awards. It's a dramedy set in a psychiatric hospital and looks absolutely incredible. It's next on my watch list.
Catch up on Every Year After, now streaming on Prime Video.
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