Chanel: Her Style and Her LifeNo single designer has had as tremendous a hold on style in the twentieth century as Coco Chanel. In this sumptuous, profusely illustrated book, Janet Wallach shows readers Chanel style in all its glory--from the fabulous fashions she created to the glamorous life she led. Like a character in a fairy tale, Coco Chanel rose from being an ordinary seamstress to reigning as the queen of fashion. Chanel was stunningly independent, beautifully feminine, and irresistibly desirable to men; most important, she was never afraid to be herself. A pioneer in an industry dominated by men, she turned her style into the revolutionary chic that set her fashions apart. Borrowing copiously from the wardrobes of her illustrious lovers (among them the Duke of Westminter and Grand Duke Dimitri of Russia), Chanel took trousers, tweeds, riding clothes, cuff links, and even neckties, and cleverly transformed them into elegant women's wear. With an understanding that only a female designer could have, she eased women's formerly confining way of dressing, adapting the freedom of men's clothing without sacrificing sensuality and femininity. Since then, women who seek the look of authority and supreme taste have embraced Chanel. Fans of her couture will devour all the delectable stories behind such Chanel trademarks as fabulous fake pearls, minimalist hats, comfortable and beautifully structured suits, and legendary perfumes, and will marvel at the 150 astonishing photographs and illustrations. A delightful feast of pictures and words as stylish and elegant as the designer herself, "Chanel Style celebrates the woman, the look, and the legend. |
Contents
Harsh Beginnings Dangerous Flirtations | 8 |
Russian Airs BIBLIOGRAPHY | 47 |
Poetic Imagery ENDNOTES | 57 |
Copyright | |
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actress aristocrats artists ballet Balsan became blouse Boy Capel brooch cardigan cardigan jacket Cecil Beaton Cécile Sorel client clothes Coco Chanel collar collection of Pauline colored Condé Nast Publications Copyright costumes Count de Beaumont courtesans Courtesy Special Collections Courtesy Vogue couture created cuffs Deauville designer Diaghilev dining dress Duke of Westminster elegant eyes fabric famous fashion favorite FIT Library flowers fragrance France Franco Zeffirelli friends Gabrielle Gabrielle Chanel Getty/Tony Stone Images gold Goldwyn gowns Grand Duke Dimitri guests Harper's Bazaar hats Hulton Getty/Tony Stone inspired Iribe Jean Cocteau jersey suit jewelry jewels José-Maria lace lover Marie Laurencin Misia Sert Morand necklace never outfits Paris Pauline Ginnane-Gasborro pearls perfume Pesavento Picasso Pierre Reverdy renewed Ritz Roger Schall Roger-Viollet Royallieu Rue Cambon Russian salon Serge Lifar showed silk style sweaters trimmed tweed Verdura wearing Wertheimer Westminster's woman women wore worn York