The controversial story of chanel, the twentieth centurys foremost fa. Aug 01, 2012 raised in poverty, coco chanel became a defining 20th century figure. It also contains fascinating analysis on the evolution of womens style. Lisa chaney recounts the life of the famous designer, from her childhood as an orphan to her reign as the queen of the fashion world, highlighting lesser known aspects of her life along the way. Scandal is not the aim of this work, and lisa doesnt paint her with a black and white pallette, nor does she collect gossip describing chanels passions and unions. Her extraordinary and unconventional journeyfrom abject poverty to a new kind of glamour. Although i learned some new information about the life and loves of coco chanel, it was a bit tedious at times and not really enough about the actual styles she developed, too much reference to why and not enough to what. Chaney captures this excitement in her writing, which reads almost like a novel. An intimate life penguin, 2011 biographer lisa chaney allows her subject to speak for herself. Famed for her elegant clothing, she was a fashion powerhouse for almost 60 years, and almost singlehandedly turned the tide away from the layers of clothing women wore, including corsets and petticoats. She was the first person to see style as both, classic and casual.
Mistress to aristocrats, artists and a spy, her lovers were women as well as men. After reading through the first five chapters of my book, i have noticed a developing pattern with the mood and driven spirit of coco chanel. As a reader, biography offers not simply an opportunity to read about the life of another, but also an invitation to ponder the choices that are available in life, the choices that comprise a life. Gabriel chanel, briefly called coco, is a name we still associate with the chanel fashion house. An intimate life by lisa chaney is a compelling account of a complicated woman who left an indelible mark on the way we dress, the way we think of fashion, and our idea of the modern. Gabrielle bonheur chanel, later nicknamed coco because of the french meaning, kept woman, was born to an mother who died of bronchitis at age 31. Coco chanels name is synonymous with high fashion and luxury. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Sympathetic, evenhanded and frank, the book traces the life of a much discussed, and much mythologized, 20th.
An intimate life lisa chaney 2012 448 pages lisa chaney coco chanel. Read coco chanel an intimate life by lisa chaney available from rakuten kobo. On august 17, 1929, coco and misia, a russian intimate friend of coco and coco, visited diaghilev a friend on his deathbed who was seriously. The first few chapters describe chanels difficult upbringing. Chaneys biography paints a vivid portrait of the style pioneer while keeping her soothingly human. An intimate life by lisa chaney 2012, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. An intimate life by lisa chaney the controversial story of chanel, the twentieth centurys foremost fashion icon. Coco chanel biography childhood, life achievements. Changing hands bookstore is proud to partner with the arizona republic for their monthly republic recommends selections.
Aug 06, 2015 during the course of an extraordinary and unconventional journey from abject poverty to the invention of a new kind of glamour coco chanel helped to forge the idea of modern woman. Revolutionizing womens dress, gabrielle coco chanel was the twentieth centurys most influential designer. The founder and namesake of the chanel brand, she was credited in the postworld war i era with liberating women from the constraints of the corseted silhouette and popularizing a sporty, casual chic as the feminine standard of style. I have noticed a developing pattern with the mood and driven spirit of coco chanel. Coco chanel was a renowned french fashion designer who founded the fashion brand chanel. An intimate life by lisa chaney english paperback book free shipp 5 out of 5 stars 6 product ratings 6 product ratings coco chanel. The controversial story of chanel, the twentieth centurys foremost fashion icon revolutionizing womens dress, gabrielle coco chanel was the twentieth centurys most influential designer. Read this biography to learn more about her childhood, profile, life and timeline. Lisa chaney, the latest biographer to face up to the legend, unearthed neverbeforepublished information about chanels life for coco chanel. The secret life of coco chanel writer justine picardie uncovers the truth about the iconic designers youth, before she became an enduring legend. An intimate life gives a rich and vivid account of one of the most successful and entrepreneurial women of the 20th century.
During the course of an extraordinary and unconventional journey from abject poverty to the invention of a new kind of glamour coco chanel helped to forge the idea of modern woman. She helped define what it meant to be a woman in the 20th century. Her extraordinary and unconventional journeyfrom abject poverty to a new kind of glamourhelped forge the idea of modern woman. You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life. An intimate life, a new biography of the french fashion icon. Here is a collection of some of the best quotes by coco chanel, including several sharable picture quotes. An intimate life, lisa chaney chronicles the life, loves and career of the fashion icon. Gabrielle coco chanel was the twentieth centurys most influential designer. Although i learned some new information about the life and loves of coco chanel, it was a bit tedious at times. An intimate life and millions of other books are available for instant access. Coco chanel ebook by lisa chaney 9781101545867 rakuten. Her extraordinary and unconventional journeyfrom abject poverty to a new kind of glamour helped forge the idea of modern woman.
Coco chanel, an intimate life is probably the most carrefully researched biography of chanel which was written with great consideration for the heroine. Coco chanel was a brilliant, but very difficult woman born in very interesting times. Chanel, an intimate life september 10th 2012 emma bartley 0 comment lisa chaney has been rather kind to coco in her biography, one of three released last year and just out in paperback. An intimate life 9780670023097 by chaney, lisa and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Coco chanels other life away from the atelier, coco chanel surrounded herself with a heady group of avantgarde artists and powerful english aristocrats. This is a very thoughtful biography, not just of the woman, but of the era. Coco chanels secret life the life of designer coco chanel. Andrew wilson charts the love affairs and wanton parties that helped create a fashion genius. Lisa chaney drawing on newly discovered love letters and other records, chaneys controversial book reveals the truth about chanels drug habits, her lesbian affairs, and her. An intimate life penguin books, 2012 0143122126, 9780143122128 the controversial story of chanel, the twentieth centurys foremost fashion iconrevolutionizing womens dress, gabrielle coco chanel was the twentieth centurys most influential designer. Lisa chaney has done much original research for her biography of coco chanel but chooses to ignore unpalatable truths about her subject. Coco chanel biography claims she used drugs, had lesbian.
Mar 21, 2012 coco chanel s name is synonymous with high fashion and luxury. She was born into extreme poverty, and eventually revolutionized womens fashion. Coco chanel an intimate life by lisa chaney art books. Coco chanel is a name that is recognized worldwide, as is her companys logothe intertwined cs. Gabrielle bonheur coco chanel 19 august 1883 10 january 1971 was a french fashion designer, nazi spy, and businesswoman. An intimate life paperback november 27, 2012 by lisa chaney author. An intimate life by lisa chaney overview the controversial story of chanel, the twentieth centurys foremost fashion icon revolutionizing womens dress, gabrielle coco chanel was the twentieth centurys most influential designer. Coco chanel, french fashion designer who ruled over parisian haute couture for almost six decades. Raised in emotional and financial poverty, she became one of the defining figures of the twentieth century. An intimate life by lisa chaney is a compelling account of a complicated woman who left an indelible mark on the way we dress, the way we think of fashion, and our idea of the. Ship this item qualifies for free shipping buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but. May 22, 2017 coco chanel s other life away from the atelier, coco chanel surrounded herself with a heady group of avantgarde artists and powerful english aristocrats.
Chanels life unfolds in detailher impoverished youth, relationships with artists, writers, and musicians in paris, selfserving love affairs, business partnerships, and scandalous at the time behaviors bisexuality and drug use among them. Revolutionizing womens dress, gabrielle coco chanel was the twentieth centurys. Raised in poverty, coco chanel became a defining 20th century figure. Dec 05, 20 gabrielle bonheur chanel, later nicknamed coco because of the french meaning, kept woman, was born to an mother who died of bronchitis at age 31 and a father who constantly traveled. The controversial story of chanel, the twentieth centurys foremost fashion icon revolutionizing womens dress, gabrielle coco chanel was the twentieth centurys. Quotations by coco chanel, french designer, born august 19, 1883. Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Unearthing an astonishing life, this remarkable biography shows how, more than. An intimate life, lays bare hard evidence of the fashion mavens use of opiates, as well as new insights into gabrielle coco chanels bisexuality. Overview the controversial story of chanel, the twentieth centurys foremost fashion icon revolutionizing womens dress, gabrielle coco chanel was the twentieth centurys most influential designer. The controversial story of chanel, the twentieth centurys foremost fashion icon. Among her nowclassic innovations were the chanel suit, the quilted purse, costume jewelry, and the little black dress.
Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. The controversial story of chanel, the twentieth centurys foremost fashion. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. She was mistress to aristocrats, artists and spies. An intimate life, acclaimed biographer lisa chaney tells the controversial story of the fashion icon who starred in her tumultuous era. Gabrielle chanel was a fascinating woman, who led a fascinating life in a time of great change, especially in the realm of the arts. I have to be careful not to trash another writer, said lisa chaney, the author of coco chanel. He had one of the most important events of his life, he launched his perfume chanel no. Early in life coco was socializing with the most powerful designers, artists and politicians of her time due to inhibition and. Mistress to aristocrats, artists and a spy, her lovers were women as well. An intimate life by lisa chaney english paperback book free shipp. An intimate life ranks next to princess dianas biography and michelle obamas biography memoir.