Gabrielle Chanel

Gabrielle Chanel is an icon of fashion, renowned for inventing the look of the 20th century. At the height of the Belle Époque, she revolutionised women's fashion by removing corsets and feathers, bobbing their hair, and encouraging them to don bathing suits and embrace the sun. Chanel introduced the little black dress, trousers for women, costume jewellery, and the exquisitely comfortable suit that became her trademark.

In the early Roaring Twenties, Chanel created the first ever couture perfume, No. 5, presenting it in the iconic square-cut flagon inspired by Picasso and Cubism, which became a quintessential symbol of the Art Deco style. No. 5 remains the most popular scent ever created.

This volume, published to accompany a landmark exhibition in Paris, explores the birth and evolution of Chanel's timeless style. Specially commissioned photographs by Julien T. Hamon highlight the clothing, while essays by fashion historians illuminate a period, an event, or a theme. Rare archival documents, including portraits of Gabrielle Chanel herself, enrich this comprehensive book.