Intimate Chanel

Coco Chanel has always fascinated biographers. Many authors have tried to capture the truth, only to just repeat what has already been written and populate their books with the same archived photographs. It is a pleasure to read a new book which is from the perspective of a family member.Chanel was famous for reinventing herself time and again, and covered her tracks by never keeping anything personal that she had written. She would tear up personal papers, documents and letters and toss them into the fire. Her homes were an extension of her spirit which was influenced by her lover Boy Chapel. The book showcases a processional cross, a Buddha (with flowers replacing broken fingers) and an English/French chapbook Chapel wrote spiritual passages in for Chanel contemplate during meditation. She never showed anyone that small chapbook until a few years before her death. Her homes were filled with books of her poet and writer friends, many of whom she quietly helped during their tougher days. She believed in symbols (lions appeared on her suit buttons and on her tombstone) and five was her lucky number (Chanel No. 5 was the fifth try at the synthetic perfume launched on the fifth day of the fifth month of the year. Chanel loved American music and the arts (as showcased in the marvelous Chanel by Jean Leymarie.)This is not an indepth biography. This is a large book by Flammarion with huge pictures and type. If you want to just nestle into a loving intimate tribute from a grand niece to her Auntie Coco, then this book is for you. If you want something more substantial, then peruse the following:Chanel A Life by Justin Picardie with illustrations by Karl LagerfeldChanel and Her World by Edmonde Charles-RouxChanel: A Woman of her Own by Axel Madsen

This light biography is loaded with pictures of both Coco Chanel's life, friends and family as well as her personal collections of design, jewelry, fashions, furniture, decor and collectibles. Emphasis is on how Coco's personal style and life experiences informed her product. As a biography it does not go into great depth of every aspect of her personal life, but gives a good overview of her personal life as it relates to her fashion empire and her position as a major voice of 20th Century design.

I used it for a school work and had an excellent grade.

I've read bio's on Coco Chanel, but this one is just a nice read about her life and not an in depth story of her life. It's her niece talking about Coco's friends, jewelry, and other things through out Coco's life. It's a great coffee table book.

So far what I have read is good, disperses myth about Chanel that are untrue

I ordered the book for my friend, who is loves Chanel. I believe she is going to love it. It was brand new, and good quality.

I am a huge fan of CoCo Chanel and of all the books I have read about her life this book is by far the best of all.

Beautiful book. A keeper with photos, personal history by member of her family and friends.

Gor rgeous pictures, interesting having been written by her great niece!

Not the sort of book you would want to read in one go. Good to pick up frequently and read about her life and lifestyle.

i first picked up this book in a store in Toronto, read a few pages and decided i had to get itas the title states it is an intimate look at Coco Gabrielle Chanel. I feel as though I lived beside her in those times.I can't put it down. It is worth it.

This is a wonderful book fill with information lacking in other bio's of Coco Chanel. Worth adding to your collection.