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Coco Chanel

The Legend and the Life
3.75 goodreads logo

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( 3,391 ratings, 289 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Coco Chanel by Justine Picardie delves into the life of the legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel, tracing her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a defining icon in the fashion industry. The biography explores her tumultuous personal life, innovative designs, and enduring influence on style and culture, providing a nuanced portrait of a complex and fascinating woman.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're intrigued by the iconic world of fashion and wish to delve into the life of one of its most legendary figures, this biography may captivate you. It offers an in-depth look at the enigmatic personality and creative genius behind a revolutionary fashion brand, blending rich narrative with personal insights into her life and legacy.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Justine Picardie spent years puzzling over the truth about Coco Chanel, peeling away the accretions of romance and lies. Since its publication in 2010, hers has become the definitive Chanel biography. With a new foreword and previously unseen images, this new edition delves even deeper into the life and legacy of this eternally alluring woman.

The Legend And The Life. An Intimate Biography Fashion Memoir

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Justine Picardie spent years puzzling over the truth about Coco Chanel, peeling away the accretions of romance and lies. Since its publication in 2010, hers has become the definitive Chanel biography. With a new foreword and previously unseen images, this new edition delves even deeper into the life and legacy of this eternally alluring woman.

Coco Chanel was an extraordinary inventor - she conjured up the little black dress, bobbed hair, trousers for women, contemporary chic, best-selling perfumes, and the most successful fashion brand of all time - but she also invented herself, fashioning the myth of her own life with the same dexterity as her couture.

While Chanel was a supreme innovator and vendor of all things elegant and beautiful, what lies beneath her own glossy myth is far darker. 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.

Justine Picardie brings the mysterious Gabrielle Chanel out of hiding, to celebrate her great achievements. She examines Chanel's enduring afterlife, as well as her remarkable life, uncovering the consequences of what she covered up, unpicking the seams between truth and legend, yet keeping intact the real fabric of her past.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Justine Picardie's Coco Chanel is praised for its engaging prose and lavish illustrations, shedding light on the enigmatic life of one of the 20th century's most iconic figures. Reviewers highlight the book's detailed exploration of Chanel's complexity, revealing both her successes and her darker, tragic aspects. Picardie is commended for her ability to blend Chanel's myth with reality, presenting a nuanced portrait that is both captivating and insightful.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780007318995

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 July 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: HarperCollins

Edition: New edition

Illustration: 200 col illus

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 31.0mm

Width: 163.0mm

Height: 228.0mm

Weight: 940g

Pages: 368

About the Author

JUSTINE PICARDIE is the author of four books, including her critically acclaimed memoir, If The Spirit Moves You. The former features director of British Vogue, and contributor to the Sunday Telegraph and Red magazine, she is now Editor in Chief for Harper's Bazaar. She lives in London with her two sons.

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