Why Chanel?

We all have a little Chanel in us. Who hasn’t experienced putting on a new outfit and feeling that subtle lift in our spirits? Coco Chanel understood this: she thrived on her ability to transform how we dress and, in turn, how we see ourselves.

I first encountered Chanel in my childhood. Her little black dress was a staple in my mother’s closet, and I remember watching my mom dress one evening, slipping into the sheath and ropes of pearls. I asked why she wore so many necklaces but no earrings. She smiled. “Because less is more. That’s what Chanel says.” Until that moment, I had never heard of Chanel. Later, my mom took me to my first Chanel boutique. The quilted handbag with its gold-chain strap; the nautical sweater and collarless suit; the seductive aroma of No. 5 — my mom wore them all. What I did not realize at the time was how she used them to set aside her daily cares and transform herself into a woman who exuded confident independence.

I would learn. After ten years in Spain, my family moved back to the US. I was in my teens and struggled to fit in. On my first day of high school, I wore a tie and pleated trousers. The other students jeered so much, I ran home in tears. In Spain, neck-wear and trousers were the rule, but in the US it was T-shirts and jeans. Then I enrolled in drama class and met others like me, who reveled in flamboyant frock coats and scarves, our apparel a defiant declaration of who we were. My love affair with fashion began. Like Chanel herself, I discovered that clothing could be a catalyst for self-expression.

I hoped to become a designer. But as a student at the San Francisco Institute for Design and Merchandising, I discovered my talent for sketching did not extend to sewing! Nevertheless, I devoted my thesis to Chanel, presenting an illustrated collection on how she revolutionized her era by creating signature styles that endure to this day, even though she had no formal training as a couturière. Her self-taught genius, her determination to succeed and prescient flair inspired me. With a degree in marketing, I embarked on a twelve-year career as a stylist and fashion coordinator. I loved my job and often referred to my battered book of Chanel designs, telling my clients that “Less is more.”

My fascination with Chanel has never abated; in time, I understood she'd taught me about more than mere elegance. In her lifetime, she demonstrated the personal resiliency we all need to fulfill our dreams. As she once remarked, “My life didn’t please me, so I created my life.” That’s good advice.

MADEMOISELLE CHANEL tells the unforgettable story of how this legendary woman created her life. The opportunity to depict Coco’s struggles and successes, her flaws and controversial compromises, which are as much a part of her legacy as her clothes, is a dream come true.

I hope you love reading this novel as much as I have loved writing it.