Sleek. Chic. Notoriously guarded. Welcome to the secret world of Gabrielle Chanel.The story of Chanel begins with an abandoned child; as lost as a girl in a dark fairy tale. Unveiling remarkable new details about Gabrielle Chanelrsquo;s early years in a convent orphanage and her flight into unconventional adulthood; Justine Picardie explores what lies beneath the glossy surface of a mythic fashion icon.Throwing new light on her passionate and turbulent relationships; this beautifully constructed portrait gives a fresh and penetrating look at how Coco Chanel made herself into her own most powerful creation. An authoritative account; based on personal observations and interviews with Chanelrsquo;s last surviving friends; employees and relatives; it also unravels her coded language and symbols; and traces the influence of her formative years on her legendary style.Feared and revered by the rest of the fashion industry; Coco Chanel died in 1971 at the age of eighty-seven; but her legacy lives on. Drawing on unprecedented research; Justine Picardie brings her fascinating; enigmatic subject out of hiding and uncovers the consequences of what Chanel covered up; unpicking the seams between truth and myth in a story that reveals the true heart of fashion.
#4218431 in eBooks 2012-11-27 2012-11-27File Name: B00AHAOXZQ
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Finely craftedBy Rajiv ChopraAn excellent book. I must confess that for much of the early part of the book; I was bemused and wondering what the fuss was all about. as the book progressed; the characters of the various protagonists came through very clearly; as did their inherent conflict with each other.This creeps up on you; almost secretly; and then you suddenly realised that you are faced with the character of a woman who finds herself; and that Ibsen has managed to describe the roles that women played in society of that time.An excellent book; with many subtle layers.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Required for English Class; but after I read it - I suggest it as a must read for any English or English History afficionadoBy Deborah K ScottChosen by my 100 year old English Professor for English Comp 161 (first level required English for college; highest beginner course; everyone must take it). I read the title and assumed it would be a chic book; although it has some feminist overtones; it is not that by any means; and was written by a man - a controversial (at the time) author who revolutionized drama. This play was so popular at the time it first came out; its accurate to say that everyone in the world who was a fan of the theatre would have seen it. With its power to women ideals; some patriarchal societies have been slow in allowing the play to be seen in their countries; or have even changed the story to be more according to their beliefs. A must read for any English student or English history buff.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great story that you first think youd rather be spraying ...By SamI bought this because I am of Norwegian ancestry and had never read Ibsen. Its a time capsule and eye opening. Great story that you first think youd rather be spraying wasp nests in the house eaves while standing on a 12 ladder than reading this but i stuck with it and it has a great ending. Supposedly extremely controversial at the time.