The Currency of Love: A Courageous Journey to Finding the Love Within

by Med Lamine Et Nasro

Overview

“This page-turning memoir of decadence and faith will resonate with seekers everywhere." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

In this courageous and inspiring memoir about personal freedom and spiritual empowerment, Jill Dodd “writes earnestly and refreshingly about learning many of life’s more difficult lessons the hard way” (Kirkus Reviews) through her journey from Paris model to Saudi billionaire’s harem wife to multi-million dollar business entrepreneur.

In the 1980s, Jill Dodd determined that her ticket out of an abusive home was to make it as a top model in Paris. Armed with only her desire for freedom and independence, she embarks on an epic journey that takes her to uncharted territory—the Parisian fashion industry with all its beautiful glamour and its ugly underbelly of sex, drugs, and excess. From there, Jill begins an eye-opening adventure that includes trips to Monte Carlo, sexual exploitation, and falling in love with one of the richest men in the world, agreeing to become one of his wives—until she finds the courage to walk away from it all and rebuild her dreams.

The Currency of Love is a raw, honest, and inspiring portrait of a young woman’s struggles and triumphs from fashion model to Saudi billionaire’s pleasure wife to founder and creator of global fashion line, ROXY. This modern memoir with a feminist fairy tale twist reveals how one woman chose to live her life without forfeiting her independence, ambition, creative expression, and free spirit, all while learning one invaluable lesson: nothing is worth the sacrifice of her integrity, inner peace, and spirit.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781501150371
Publisher:	Atria/Enliven Books
Publication date:	06/06/2017
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Jill Dodd is a writer, artist, and designer from Los Angeles, California. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising with honors and spent twenty-five years in the international fashion business. She gained recognition as the founder and original designer for the global women’s brand ROXY. She also designed swimwear for fifteen years for brands including Jag, On the Beach, and Sunsets. Prior to that, Jill modeled with Wilhelmina for ten years appearing in Paris Vogue, French Cosmopolitan, American Glamour, Bazaar, Mademoiselle, Teen, Women’s Wear Daily, and many other publications. She now lives in Northern California with her three ever-loving and entertaining children, her husband, and her dogs.

Read an Excerpt

The Currency of Love

I’m always happy by the sea

Table of Contents

Author's Note xi

Pirates 1

Wilhelmina Models 5

French for Travelers 9

My Plan de Paris 15

The Mouth of Truth 19

Adjustments 27

Paris Photos 31

Julie on the Couch 39

Pollywogs 49

The Girl Who Dresses Weird 57

LA Model 63

Stained Glass 71

Hôtel Andrea to Le Bon Hôtel 75

Jardin des Modes 83

Le Palace 87

Broken Boundaries 95

The Road to Puerto Banús 99

Dreaming in French 111

Revolving Door of Models 117

The Camel 121

California Sucks 125

Monte Carlo 133

Aboard the Nabila 145

Queen Jewelry 155

My Broken Zipper 161

Butter Croissants 167

The Contract 173

Love in Africa 185

Tokyo or Milan? 195

99-Cent Shrimp Cocktail 201

The Sands 213

The Currency of Love 219

FIDM 227

Chasing My Tail 233

Hollywood Mimics Reality 239

Question Everything 245

Listening for God 255

A Cabinet of Drawers 259

Ribbon Purses 265

Dress-Up Doll 269

The Black Notebook 273

My Pink Dress 279

Graduation 289

Epilogue 295

Acknowledgments 299

Permissions 301

Reading Group Guide

This reading group guide for The Currency of Love includes an introduction and discussion questions. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.

Introduction

In the 1980s, Jill Dodd determined that her ticket out of an abusive home was to make it as a top model in Paris. Armed with only her desire for freedom and independence, she embarks on an epic journey that takes her to uncharted territory—the Parisian fashion industry with all its beautiful glamour and its ugly underbelly of sex, drugs, and excess. From there, Jill begins an eye-opening adventure that includes trips to Monte Carlo, sexual exploitation, and falling in love with one of the richest men in the world, agreeing to become one of his wives—until she finds the courage to walk away from it all and rebuild her dreams.

Topics & Questions for Discussion

1. Which scenes in The Currency of Love were the most memorable for you? Which made you laugh? Did any shock or inspire you?

2. Jill Dodd writes about her first real friendship being a pivotal point in her life, saying Kelly “turn[ed] my weird, isolated life inside out.” Why was this friend so important? Have you ever had a friendship that changed your life? What made it beautiful and how did it alter your path?

3. The author hadn’t considered how tough it would be to live in a foreign country and was totally unprepared. However, she ultimately fell in love with Paris and found it liberating. Why did she feel so free in Paris? Have you ever lived in a new country? Was it liberating or just plain difficult?

4. Were you surprised by the physical and emotional burdens of being a model? Would you be willing to change your appearance for the promise of wealth or fame?

5. When Gerald pushes Jill into unwanted intercourse, she feels confused, helpless, and weak. While filming in Saint-Tropez, she suffers obsessive thoughts, paranoia, and insecurity. How did this reaction hearken back to her childhood? What factors from her formative years impact her later relationships with men?

6. Models are often objectified, such as described in the chapter “Queen Jewelry” when the photographer’s wife says, “Many years ago, when my husband and I began this business, he never looked at the models in that way, you know what I mean? They were only a tool to him, like a prop, a table or a chair.” Jill finds out the introduction to her was purchased—learning that she is an object for sale. Discuss Jill’s reaction to this revelation. How would you have reacted in this situation?

7. In the chapter “California Sucks” the author says, “I don’t want to be owned by [the agency] and I don’t want to be chained to this business. . . . Now I fly under the agency’s radar, in control of my plans. But success will hijack me and run me into the ground.” Jill suddenly wants to get lost in a foreign city. Why does she react this way? Was she afraid to lose her fragile footing, did she want a new life, or was she afraid of being controlled by the agency? Discuss.

8. Jill expresses herself through her clothes. She ultimately feels controlled by Adnan’s desire for her to look polished and sophisticated, wearing couture at his business dinners, and rebels by wearing wild makeup and a sexy pink dress in Vegas. Discuss the idea of suppression and control in limiting clothing choices or forcing a uniform on someone. Are you free to dress the way you want to? Why or why not? What are some of the ways you use clothing or makeup to express yourself?

9. The author thought fame and money would satisfy her. Yet in the chapter “Question Everything” she writes, “Billionaire wealth is a pain in the ass at least half the time. The food is fresh, healthy, and prettier than a flower arrangement. . . . Yet as soon as you acclimatize to all of this, it becomes the new normal and expected . . . And the worst part is that all of this luxury can leave an unhealthy vacuum of space and time, where anxiety and guilt can thrive, creating a cesspool.” How would extreme wealth change your life for the better? What might some of the negative effects be?

10. Early on, Jill sees Adnan as a saint. Why do you think she envisions him so positively? Do you think he deserves that portrayal? Why, or why not?

11. Adnan was simultaneously loyal and disloyal. Describe some of the other seemingly contradictory aspects of his personality or desires. What were some of his strengths and weaknesses? What lessons did Jill learn from Adnan?

12. Hollywood, Paris, and Las Vegas are almost characters themselves, with their own distinct personalities. Which place did you enjoy the most and least? How did the story shift from setting to setting?

13. Would you run away from or be drawn in by someone who could provide for you like Adnan? Have you ever thrown everything away to gain your personal freedom?

14. The desire to be free is universal. Many times throughout the book, Jill expresses her need to be free from entrapment. Why do you think freedom is utterly crucial for her? How do you define freedom? In what ways are you free or trapped in your own life?

15. Fame and money didn’t satisfy Jill in the way she had hoped. Was spirituality able to fulfill her? Do you think Jill found peace, or just took a small step toward peace?

Editorial Reviews

★ 05/22/2017
This page-turning memoir of decadence and faith will resonate with seekers everywhere. While working as a struggling young model in Paris, Dodd met Adnan Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian businessman who had amassed a fortune. Caught up in a world of private jets, diamonds, and cocaine, she became one of Khashoggi’s “pleasure wives,” only to later learn that she’d been part of a carefully plotted scheme for a negotiated price: Dodd had been picked out of a notebook. Her walk through—and eventually away from—the dizzying world of extreme wealth and glamour includes her spiritual journey, which progresses as she learns more of her situation and eventually turns away from the lifestyle she has been forced into. Originally from Downey, Calif., Dodd was raised without religion, but she prayed to God as she navigated the instability of a modeling career and her life in a harem. As her search for faith intensified, she immersed herself in the world of psychics, hypnotherapists, and holy men until she realized it brought confusion, not peace. Scattered throughout the book are touching moments where she recalls being overcome with a sense of the divine providence of God; that guidance helps her find her way, even as questions linger. “I will never understand God,” Dodd concludes, “but will keep praying and meditating.” (June)

Publishers Weekly

"This [memoir] had it all–secrets, romance, travel and suspense....It was empowering to watch Jill discover that she really was capable of happiness and success on her own terms."

First for Women

"For some, freedom is financial security. Dodd believed it should mean more. Her drive led her to found ROXY, a multimillion-dollar fashion brand. She now reflects on the quality of her independence and each turn that brought her to its realization in a remarkable story well worth reading."

Booklist

"Exotic as the tale of Dodd’s wild and wondrous life may seem, it touches on themes relevant to any young woman yearning to follow her dreams of financial independence and spiritual freedom. Neither fully a cautionary tale nor a glamorous romance (but a bit of both!), Dodd explores both the pitfalls and rewards of a life boldly lived."

Jillian Lauren

"The Currency of Love is a page-turning tale of female empowerment. With the current state of the world, the messages in this inspiring memoir are exactly what women need right now."

Christine Bronstein

"Jill Dodd tells a tale of love and redemption involving a man of inconceivable riches and power against the backdrop of Paris and the world of high fashion. Told with the wisdom that gives Dodd’s story heart and soul, this book will inspire women of all ages to choose the right path for themselves, whatever their aspirations."

Ann Voorhees Baker

"This incredibly audacious, inspiring, and lively memoir paints a fascinating picture of the modeling and design scenes in Paris and Hollywood. Readers will be captivated by Jill's fierce ability to tell her truth. The Currency of Love is a celebration of womanhood!"

Shea O Hill

"A raw and inspiring story about one woman's search for independence."

PopSugar

2017-04-23
A successful clothing designer reflects on her damaged upbringing and early years as a Paris-based fashion model.Using letters, journals, and "thousands of photos," Dodd reinvigorates her life as a struggling 1980s-era model. Though critical and cursory, an invaluable evaluation by Wilhelmina Models in 1979 opened a portal into the French modeling world, resulting in dispiriting culture shock and a hefty dose of disillusionment. Barely 20 years old at the time, the author writes of being whisked off to Paris, where an aloof agency booker dispatched her to endless dead-end "Go-Sees." Dodd eventually warmed up to the whirlwind of Parisian life and began booking photo shoots, magazine covers, and a dangerous series of social engagements with upscale businessmen, where her role was sketchy at best and she was sexually assaulted along with another model. Interspersed with the author's tales of her modeling career are details about her complicated, abusive Los Angeles upbringing at the hands of a sexually inappropriate father whom she both feared and worshipped and an "emotionally checked out" mother. As she climbed the international fashion industry's "slippery steep model ladder," Dodd's memories move briskly across fashion runways and photography shoots in Paris, London, Greece, and Spain. She fell into a troublesome and treacherous relationship with Adnan Khashoggi, a billionaire Middle Eastern arms dealer who promised Dodd the world but instead introduced her to cocaine and simply made her one in a harem of women at his disposal. Dodd writes earnestly and refreshingly about learning many of life's more difficult lessons the hard way, and while her recollections are narrowly focused to just a few years during the 1980s, readers still receive a generous sense of who she was back then and how her later degree in fashion merchandising provided the perfect transition from model to successful clothing designer. A breezy, impressively detailed glimpse into a beautiful young woman's self-discovery via the world of international fashion.

Kirkus Reviews

A remarkable story well worth reading. —Booklist

From the Publisher