For readers of The Paris Wife and Z comes this vivid novel full of drama, passion, tragedy, and beauty that stunningly imagines the life of iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel—the ambitious, gifted laundrywoman’s daughter who revolutionized fashion, built an international empire, and become one of the most influential and controversial figures of the twentieth century.Born into rural poverty, … century.
Born into rural poverty, Gabrielle Chanel and her siblings are sent to orphanage after their mother’s death. The sisters nurture Gabrielle’s exceptional sewing skills, a talent that will propel the willful young woman into a life far removed from the drudgery of her childhood.
Transforming herself into Coco—a seamstress and sometime torch singer—the petite brunette burns with ambition, an incandescence that draws a wealthy gentleman who will become the love of her life. She immerses herself in his world of money and luxury, discovering a freedom that sparks her creativity. But it is only when her lover takes her to Paris that Coco discovers her destiny.
Rejecting the frilly, corseted silhouette of the past, her sleek, minimalist styles reflect the youthful ease and confidence of the 1920s modern woman. As Coco’s reputation spreads, her couturier business explodes, taking her into rarefied society circles and bohemian salons. But her fame and fortune cannot save her from heartbreak as the years pass. And when Paris falls to the Nazis, Coco is forced to make choices that will haunt her.
An enthralling novel of an extraordinary woman who created the life she desired, Mademoiselle Chanel explores the inner world of a woman of staggering ambition whose strength, passion and artistic vision would become her trademark.
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While I enjoyed reading the story of Coco Chanel’s life, the way the story was told made it somewhat off-putting and empty. Often long passages depicted what were supposed to have been the thoughts of the famed designer without dramatizing them. At others the book included dialogue which was much better. Learning more about the process of her …
I recommend this book very highly. I enjoyed it thoroughly….from the first page to the last!
Historical fiction about a woman years ahead of her time. A feminist before the word was popular.
This is a wonderful book about Chanel, the sad, good and bad. I recommend it to everyone, but especially women. You don’t have to be into fashion to get engrossed in it and see how much work, determination and grit it takes to be a legend.
An excellent read. Highly recommended.
One of those books that doesn’t seem especially memorable until later when the story keeps coming back to you.
Very good book, kept me wanting to know even more about her.
If you like bios put this on your list. Wow what a life!
I have worn Channel #5 perfume for decades…. it was fun to read about the life of the woman who created it! The characters were well-crafted and opened the world of Europe during WWII. This story kept me reading and made it difficult to get anything else done!
Really enjoyed this book. Dont know how much was true. I remember her as being a high end designer especially the Chanel suit and ,of course, used Chanel number 5. I have sent the movie in French and saw the play on Broadway.
Very interesting life. Very inspiring!
The story of a woman who worked incredibly hard to become successful. She was able to live life on her terms and was quite the rebel.
Loved this book!!
Coco Channel lead an amazing life. She was overwhelmingly a leader in the field of fashion and perfume. What a courageous woman! She deserves this story for all of another generation to learn from her about tenacity and strength of character.
An accurate story of an incredible artist. Tremendous effect on changes in our society. Very strong women with a fascinating life
a contemporary designer about whom I knew nothing. Fascinating . For a short while I sold designer clothes … knew nothing about the designer s nor their histories.
I enjoy books that are multi-generational and this is a good one. The characters are well drawn and believable. It was always unpredictable. So many backgrounds made it extreme interesting to me. A book of some substance, I enjoyed it immensely.
What a character! What a story! Mademoiselle Chanel is Horatio Alger with a strong female lead. Set against the backdrop of wartime Paris, Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel defied conventional notions of how women should behave as well as dress and made a lot of money while doing so. Gortner’s rendition of Chanel’s history is meticulously researched and …
Having been in the fashion industry I wanted to know more about Channel’s life. It was an interesting read learning about her forward fashion sense but I was taken back by her moral compass.