Alex Madsen brings to life Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the queen of fashion who revolutionized women's styles forever.
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reviews
Feb 01, 2009
Stacey
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If you like biographies and you're at all interested in fashion, you will adore this book! Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel changed the way women dress forever with her simple, modern approach to clothing. Things we take for granted today like the little black dress, sling back shoes, the quilted bag, a suit, and a long strand of pearls, all exist simply because Chanel was wholly original and willing to take risks. She had no money, but she always had influence because she believed in herself c
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Jun 16, 2010
Erica
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I love, love, love fashion and wasn’t disappointed with the details in this book. The book included much more political history than I expected, which was a pleasant surprise. I also enjoyed reading about the melding of art, music, literature, theater, and fashion in 1920’s and 1930’s France; what a bright lively place the author takes you to! Suddenly though, the Second World War comes to France and the book grinds to a rather slow pace. I had a hard time getting through the second half of
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Feb 28, 2009
Shirley
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Very thorough biography about Coco Chanel from childhood to her death. She was a slavedriver who forced her models to stand 16 hours while she cut and pinned fabric right on their bodies. She was a tyrant to people she didn't like but she was also generous to many artists and supported some of them financially. She had many lovers but never settled down because she liked her independence too much and wanted to continue working. She was an exception in her day because she was a very successful
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Feb 02, 2010
Seregi
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Why people think Chanel as independent woman? Before her success she live on men's money and love of her life helped her financially when she realized that it's boring not to work. When she lost love of her life (Boy Capel BTW!!!) she came bitter and only used men for sex and concentrated on work. She even decorated her room all black and came up with little black dress in her sorrow.
It's interesting to see what kind of person is behind timeless, stylish and comfortable fashion. As K More...
It's interesting to see what kind of person is behind timeless, stylish and comfortable fashion. As K More...
Aug 30, 2007
Tamara
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Chanel learned dressmaking from the nuns at the orphanage where she was raised after her mother's death and from an ordinary apprenticeship at a provincial dressmaker's. Her first hat shop was started on money from her first protector, Etienne Balsan, not from her first love the polo-playing Englishman "Boy" Capell. Her father was not a respectable horse trader but an itinerant market fair trader who abandoned her; and she was illegitimate, a disgrace she sought to hide all her life.
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May 03, 2010
Melinda
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The book dealt more with political and changes in the art culture that helped shaped Channel’s clothing. I think that book touches on the whole range of her life unlike the movies that show a glimpse. Some parts of the story represented something to Hollywood tell all, this person dated this person and did this. I enjoyed hearing about Chanel’s hard business tactics and how she wanted to win her royalties for her perfume. The book described how Chanel was ahead of her time and brought new oppo
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Aug 04, 2009
Susan
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Although I was initially reluctant to read a book about a 'fashion' person, I found this woman to be quite interesting. She certainly knew her own mind and acted on it in her personal and professional life. She did things her way,and whether you agree with her actions or not, you have to admire the firmness of her convictions.
Nov 07, 2010
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I cannot wait to read more about her...hoping to find another book similar to this one...just as rich and filled with historically accurate details and tidbits from her life...
Jan 22, 2009
SophieElana
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I am completley fascinated by Gabrielle. While the book more steers of into her and alot less her fashions .Cant say it was the best biography ever but decent.
Jul 26, 2010
Shanna
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Sheesh, this took way too long for me to get through! I had saved this biography for last out of a group of them I had gotten for Christmas, thinking it'd be the best but I was very wrong. There were of course some interesting parts such as the fashion but overall, it was much less interesting than I was expecting. Turns out Gabrielle was a bit of a fibber so there'd be 3 versions of major events in her life and rather than just including the true one in the book, you'd have to jump around to
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Feb 07, 2010
Corinne
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Love, love, love this book. Great story and great opening line. Read just the first page if you want.
Jan 07, 2009
Katrina
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So far i like this book...cuz I love fashion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nov 24, 2008
Very interesting book recounting what an incredibly strong person Coco Chanel was.
Jul 06, 2010
MaryBeth
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this is hands down the favorite biography of my favorite business woman.
Jan 04, 2010
Sara
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This is a very extensive, in depth book. It was a good book, but a bit boring at times - gets very in depth to the political climates at the time of Chanel's business adventures in Paris. I am very glad I read it, but it was not a quick read by any means.
Apr 13, 2009
Kathy
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Before reading this book I didn't realize the influence of historical events on fashion. Neither did I realize what a very "connected" life
Coco Chanel led claiming as close contemporaries Winston Churchill, Cocteau, Picasso, Stravinsky, Dali, Hollywood celebrities, an assortment of European royalty, members of the German occupied forces in Paris, and the list goes on. A world history lesson as well as a biography of rags to riches.
Coco Chanel led claiming as close contemporaries Winston Churchill, Cocteau, Picasso, Stravinsky, Dali, Hollywood celebrities, an assortment of European royalty, members of the German occupied forces in Paris, and the list goes on. A world history lesson as well as a biography of rags to riches.
Oct 07, 2009
Sherry
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I didn't finish this one, just to warn you. Maybe one day when I have more time on my hands. It was a little too wordy. Lot's of information, which is good as far as biographies go. I will say that I found a few similarities between Chanel and Edith Head, of all people. Both came from strange family backgrounds, both driven to the point of severity and both chronic liars. Hm.
Apr 19, 2009
Estefania
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i didn't like it at all. I imagined Chanel as a completely different person; strong, genuine, etc. The book just showed that she was a big farse and the amount of lovers and mistakes that she made.
Jan 24, 2008
Mackenzie
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i started this book several months ago and quickly had to put it aside. it's interesting but full of details and i keep having to go back to it in between other reads.
Apr 04, 2008
Kim
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Fabulous if you like biographies. Who knew that Chanel was involved in a mission to broker peace negotiations between Churchill and Hitler's higher-ups!
Jan 29, 2012
Alex
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I was reading this book while working in Paris, near la Rue Cambon - it made the read way more interesting. However, the writing was not great.
Jan 26, 2012
KOMET
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A fascinating biography of a compelling, enigmatic, gifted and forthright woman who revolutionized fashion the world over.
Jul 12, 2007
Aimee
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pretty interesting. i love love love chanel, so i thought it would be appropriate for me to read up on her life.
Jan 10, 2008
JulieK
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A really plodding biography of a pretty interesting life. I gave up halfway through.
Sep 18, 2007
Abigail
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Long but very interesting biography. I read it so long ago I can't give it a proper review.
Jan 29, 2012
Jetteke
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Beautiful story, what an icon! Even if you don't love fashion this book is a great read.
