Set in Nanaimo B.C., our two grade 11 narrators enter a fashion competition trying to win a scholarship to attend an elite art school. For Charlie Dean, fashion is life and she uses it to escape her many troubles. For John Thomas-Smith, the only thing that helps him work the chip off his shoulder is metal arts. Even though he HATES fashion, he sees this competition as his only chance to attend the school. The book also explores what is wonderful about the fashion world, and what is so very wrong with it. Through alternating diary entries, we see these two characters tackle the challenges of their circumstances and choices.