Mitchell Beazley seizes memoir of survival and optimism by founder of Ghost

Mitchell Beazley, part of the Octopus Publishing Group, has acquired Free Spirit by Tanya Sarne, founder of the fashion brand Ghost.

Publisher Alison Starling acquired world English-language rights from Piers Blofeld of Sheil Land Associates for publication on 6th April.

The publisher said: "[Sarne’s story] is so much more than an account of international fashion success and excess. Her life ranged from the London of the Swinging 60s to the glamour and darkness of Hollywood in the early ’70s to virtual destitution and abandonment with two small children in a Brazilian fishing village—all before she even dreamt of starting her own business or becoming (with her daughter) one of the inspirations for Absolutely Fabulous.”

The synopsis continues: “From busking with Andrew Loog Oldham before he managed the Rolling Stones to being invited to stay with Sharon Tate the night of the Manson murders, Tanya is one of those people who seems to have fitted more into one life than most of us would fit into nine. But above all, she is that still all too rare thing—a female entrepreneur who achieved true global success with the fashion brand of the 1990s, Ghost, solely as a result of her own hard work and talent and entirely on her own terms.”

Starling said: “Free Spirit reads like a real‐life Daisy Jones and the Six [Hutchinson] and while Tanya’s behind‐the‐scenes stories of Planet Fashion are fascinating, it is her tale of survival, optimism and second (and third) chances seized that stays with you. Tanya is a brave, funny and very honest woman and it’s felt like an honour to work with her as she shares her remarkable life.”

Sarne, the child of refugee parents, added: “Writing this memoir has made me realise how lucky I was to be part of the fashion world at such an exciting, innovative time. I have had an incredibly interesting and full life.

“Did I have choices in my life? I’m not sure I did. I just followed my instinct but it gives me huge satisfaction to know that I gave pleasure to many women who found femininity and confidence through wearing my clothes. I couldn’t have written Free Spirit without the help of certain people, not least Alison Starling and the team at Octopus Publishing.”